Philomath City Councilor · Nov 3, 2026
Richard M
Saalsaa
Richard M Saalsaa, the incumbent, is running for Philomath City Councilor in the Nov 3, 2026 election; 5 candidates are running for 3 seats.
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The race · City Councilor
- 01Jessica AndradeIncumbent
- 02Candy Garcia
- 03David M Low
- 04Amanda Polley
- 05Richard M SaalsaaYou’re reading
Background
- About
- Retired deputy fire chief who chairs the Philomath City Council's Public Works Committee. He also serves on the Police Committee, volunteers as an EMT and is president of the Philomath Lions Club.
- Party
- Nonpartisan race. City of Philomath
Five candidates qualified for three City Council seats: Richard M Saalsaa, Jessica Andrade, Amanda Polley, David M Low and Candy Garcia. City of Philomath
On the record: Richard M Saalsaa
9 sourced01Police services fee4 sourced positions
Calls the fee a compromise for a balanced budget and says he would work to end it as soon as possible.
I would strive to eliminate the fee as soon as possible.”
Own statementPhilomath News · Oct 13, 2026Link
Voted yes on the first reading of Ordinance 895, the police services fee (passed 4-2, July 2026).
Council votePhilomath City Council packet, August 10, 2026 (minutes of July 13 and July 27, 2026) · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on a motion to raise the planned fee from $5 to $6 a month (failed 3-4, June 2026).
Council votePhilomath City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Voted yes on Resolution 26-23 setting the police services fee at $5 a month (passed 7-0, July 2026).
Council votePhilomath City Council packet, August 10, 2026 (minutes of July 13 and July 27, 2026) · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
02City budget2 sourced positions
Voted yes on adopting the 2026-27 city budget (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Council votePhilomath City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026LinkHow the council voted
Commits to expanding next year's budget process to be more transparent.
My commitment is to expand the budgeting process next year to be more transparent”
Own statementPhilomath News · Oct 13, 2026Link
03Police contract1 sourced position
Voted yes on ratifying the police union collective bargaining agreement (passed 5-1, July 2026).
Council votePhilomath City Council packet, August 10, 2026 (minutes of July 13 and July 27, 2026) · Aug 10, 2026LinkHow the council voted
04Growth and development1 sourced position
Wants more affordable housing and more centralized council involvement in development projects.
I would like to see more affordable housing in our area”
Own statementPhilomath News · Oct 13, 2026Link
05Public engagement1 sourced position
Proposes quarterly town halls with city staff and councilors.
I would like to see a quarterly town hall”
Own statementPhilomath News · Oct 13, 2026Link
Every claim links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works
Richard M Saalsaa: their words and their votes on the same issue
City budget
In their words
Commits to expanding next year's budget process to be more transparent.
Oct 13, 2026 ·Philomath News · Oct 13, 2026
On the record
Voted yes on adopting the 2026-27 city budget (passed 6-1, June 2026).
Jun 22, 2026 ·Philomath City Council minutes, June 22, 2026 · Jun 22, 2026
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