La Grande City Manager Outlines Street Upkeep Plans to Retired Educators

John O’Brien, La Grande city manager, visited the Union County Retired Educators club on Feb. 16 to hear members’ concerns and outline city efforts on street maintenance and infrastructure. O’Brien described his background including service in the Army in Germany, work in law enforcement, and installation management for the Department of the Army as context for his approach to public works and operations.

During the meeting, O’Brien summarized the city’s recent work on streets and funding pressures. He said that “streets are a repeated concern for the residents. Last year was a ‘banner year’ with regards to streets, potholes, etc. due to special funding we received. We were able to address many of the concerns throughout the city. A total of 20% of the budget for streets being repaired every year would be best, but costs are astronomical. Many years of not doing repairs have some roads poorly engineered. The city has done a good job of managing what we have, but there is not enough money to move forward on some of the needs. The costs have exceeded the revenues, which means cutting some services. There are plans intended to solve fiscal problems of the city.”

Members of the retired educators posed pointed questions during the session. Attendees asked, “What part of the street budget is tied to gas taxes?”; “What is the status of the city and county police station?”; and “Is the city looking at loans or bonds for the streets?” A member, Carol Kroll, raised a neighborhood parking concern and “was concerned about parking on various streets including Jefferson,” according to the club’s release.

That local exchange came against a broader fiscal backdrop the city has been discussing. City leaders infused $3 million into road infrastructure in 2022 using American Rescue Plan Act funds, and La Grande received just over $1 million from the state gas tax in the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, figures the city has cited in recent coverage. The city has also developed a street user fee fund for major rebuilds and grant matching and completed overlay and grind-and-inlay projects with special funding, with a full list of resurfacing projects available on the City of La Grande’s website.

O’Brien has also said more broadly that the city “fell behind the curve on what it takes to maintain our current roads at existing conditions. We’re playing catch up right now,” language that city officials have used to explain why officials are exploring options including a possible local gas tax on this year’s ballot and other revenue mechanisms. Councilor David Glabe has acknowledged that past funding decisions contributed to putting La Grande behind on road maintenance.

The Union County Retired Educators meeting included lighter moments: newest member Jean Patterson “drew her own prize ticket, winning a book by Jane Goodall and a packet of candy,” the club release noted. For residents or organizations seeking follow-up, the City Manager’s office lists John O’Brien at City Hall, 1000 Adams Avenue, 2nd Floor, La Grande, OR 97850, mailing PO Box 670, phone 541-962-1309, with assistant Keri Quinn available through the same office. City leaders say the next items to watch are formal council decisions on any ballot measure for a local gas tax, specifics of the fiscal plans O’Brien referenced, and updates to the city’s published project list for street resurfacing.