6/13/2022 10:00 a.m.
The Roseburg City Council will formally adopt the budget for the upcoming fiscal year at a meeting tonight, and will consider a proclamation, that has led to some controversy.
Proclamations are normally issued by Mayor Larry Rich.
However, Communications Specialist Suzanne Hurt told News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN that while proclamations on controversial issues are not normally issued, a different process will be used at this meeting.
A Pride Month proclamation was first proposed by Mark Lenihan of PFLAG Roseburg in February.
At the previous council meeting, Councilor Brian Prawitz asked the mayor to proclaim June as Pride Month and to recognize June 19th as Juneteenth.
Councilor Patrice Sipos supported the proposals.
Hurt said there have been supportive emails to the council regarding the Pride proclamation but the mayor has also heard from local residents who strongly opposed the move.
Mayor Larry Rich asked City department heads to weigh in, and got support from all of them.
A vote will be put to the council tonight to decide whether or not the Pride proclamation will be made.
A Public Hearing will be held prior to a vote on the 2022-2023 budget.
Three other department items are on the agenda as well.
The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.
It can be viewed on the City’s Facebook page and viewed later HERE.