more on Shady Cove Matters political action committee

We decided to form a political action committee, because we wanted to find a way to give ordinary Shady Cove citizens a voice in their city government.  One of the primary reasons we formed a PAC instead of a non-profit is because non-profits aren’t allowed to be politically active. 

We think it’s time for new leadership. SCM-PAC will use our time and resources to help new candidates run for office in the November 2026 election. And, in the meantime, we will continue to advocate for better governance and try to hold City leadership accountable.  

Shady Cove is small town of ~3,100 people, within a stunning natural setting. Like most residents, we see its potential.  Unfortunately, it seems that the City is stalled and – as a result – City government is no longer benefiting the residents or helping the City.  

Some of you may be wondering where we stand politically. Shady Cove Matters is non-partisan. We want everyone to understand that as a new organization, our platform is still evolving. We expect that our views and goals will change as the PAC (hopefully!) grows and begins the process of listening to the community.

The following is our attempt to articulate a written list of our core concerns.

 SCM thinks City government has gone off the rails. Our City Charter’s shared model of governance is being ignored.  Responsibility for running the City appears to have devolved into an alliance of one or two council members, who make decisions for everyone else. The Council, Planning and Budget Committees seem to be an exclusive club for just a few insiders. 

We had unfilled Council positions open for months and then saw new and qualified people ignored in favor of what we like to call “recycled leadership”. It shouldn’t have to be said… No one who has quit twice should ever be appointed back to City council.  If those individuals want to serve, they can run in the next election.

• The City provides almost no information about its activities or goals.
• Most decisions seem to be made behind closed doors
• Members of the Council claim Citizens "aren’t willing to get involved” yet we see over & over that Citizens who attempt to provide input are shut down. 
• Citizens who attempt to comment on matters before the Council are “tolerated” by allowing them a three-minute window to speak. It’s rare for Council to engage in any active discussion.

We need to have a realistic assessment of the City’s financial position. Current City leadership seems more intent on blaming past failures on others, and – in our opinion – there appears to be no meaningful and honest attempt to examine the financial and oversight issues that have led to years of failed audits. 

Recent Council leadership has claimed the City needs to “live within its means”. During FY25-26 budget meetings, Council raised public safety fees and simultaneously removed the City’s public service officer, claiming the services were “unaffordable”. Yet a recent audit found that the City has several million dollars.

As residents, we wonder...

• What is the City's true financial picture? Is it financially sustainable or barely breaking even?
• Is the City truly able to provide the municipal services necessary to receive state funding?

We will be providing regular updates on financial transparency.  We have a lot of material available on our website on Audits & finances that we hope you'll take the time to read.  

 We do not support additional tax, or fee increases until the City’s existing financial issues are understood, and until we get input from the public.  

Elsewhere on our website, we have documented City officials commenting publicly on tax and fee increases. 

SCM believes property tax increases should not be considered…

• Until the City fully understands the root causes of multiple years of failed Audits
• Until the City's existing financial picture is understood -- including any financial reserves
• Until the City understands resident's concerns. 

Property taxes currently represent less than 12% of the City's total yearly revenues (excluding grants and RVSS pass-thru charges). Tax increases are unlikely to provide significant additional operating revenue unless the existing assessment is substantially increased.  We believe that such an increase is unlikely to gain support. 

We do believe that State and Federal grants should be pursued as a means of bringing additional funds into the City where appropriate.  However, most grants are targeted towards specific uses and cannot be applied to solve general budget shortfalls.  The City must be strategic and avoid "capital expenditure traps" whereby grants are used for new projects, but the City becomes unable to pay for the maintenance going forward.