Frequently Asked Questions

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To report a street light outage submit your REPORT online.

To report a street maintenance issue you can submit your REPORT online.

Find out more about our Mayor and City Council 

The Council-Manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected Council and where the Council hires a professionally-trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

In Council-Manager government, the Mayor and Council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent of the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. The Manager is appointed by Council to carry out it's policy and ensure that the entire community is being served.

No. One of the most attractive features is that the Council-Manager form is adaptable to local conditions and preferences. For example, some communities have Councils that are elected at large while other Councils are elected by ward or by a combination of an at-large and by-ward structure. Some local governments have Mayors who are elected by the voters at large; others are elected by their colleagues on the Council. City of Klamath Falls City Council members are elected by their five individual Wards and the Mayor is elected at large by the entire City.

The Council is the legislative body: it's members are the community's decision makers. Power is centralized in the elected Council, which approves the budget and determines the tax rate, for example. The Council also focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and such long-term considerations as:

• Capital Financing
• Capital Improvement Plans
• Community Growth
• Land Use Development
• Strategic Planning

The Council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and the Council supervises the manager's performance.

Mayors in Council-Manager communities (or chairpersons in counties) are key political leaders and policy developers. Their duties, responsibilities, and authorities depend on the organization's charter. In Council-Manager communities, typically the Mayor:

• Presides at Council meetings
• Serves as a spokesperson for the community
• Facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials
• Assists the Council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions
• Serves as a promoter and defender of the community

In addition, the Mayor serves as a key City representative in intergovernmental relations. The Mayor, Council, and Manager constitute a policy-development and management team.

The Manager is hired to serve the Council and the community and to bring to the local government the benefits of training and experience in administering local government projects and programs on behalf of the governing body. The Manager is responsible for the:

• Day-to-day operation of the City
• Prepares a budget for the Council's consideration
• Recruits, hires, and supervises the City's staff
• Serves as a buffer between elected officials and the City workforce to avoid even the appearance of patronage
• Serves as the Council's Chief Adviser
• Carries out the Council's policies

Council members and citizens count on the manager to provide complete and objective information, pros and cons of alternatives, and long-term consequences.

The Manager makes policy recommendations to the Council, but the Council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The Manager is bound by whatever action the Council takes.

Successful examples of citizen participation in the local government service delivery decision-making process are widespread among professionally-managed communities. Because professional local government management offers government of the people, by the people, and for the people, it sets the stage for citizen activism by encouraging open communication between citizens and their government.

As policy-makers, the City Council routinely relies on appointed citizen committees and boards for assistance in areas such as budget, planning, parks, downtown redevelopment, and for special projects. In the City of Klamath Falls, the Mayor does have the authority to appoint citizens to these various boards and commissions. Because political power is concentrated in the entire governing body rather than one elected official, more citizens have an opportunity to be elected to a position in which they have significant influence over the future of their community.

City of Klamath Falls Fee Schedule

The Ella Redkey Pool is an outdoor recreation and lap pool that is open year-round with geothermally heated water. For specific days and times for opening, visit the pool schedule page for more information.

• Maintenance issues.
• Water temperature being 78 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
• Weather Emergencies such as lightning, excess snow, cold temperatures, or air quality.
• In case of closures, we will notify the public through: social media, email lists, text alert lists, and facility voicemail.

The water temperature is kept between 82 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

We use Calcium Hypochlorite (Chlorine) to sanitize the water. By thoroughly rinsing your hair and body off with water, it is less likely for the chlorine to cause irritation to your skin or hair.

There are drop-in rates available or memberships for all users. Everyone entering the facility must pay admission fees. Visit the Pool Schedule page for more information on fees.

Group swim lessons are held in the summer months and private swim lessons are offered year-round based on availability. Call the facility for more information.

By liking our social media pages or subscribing to our emails through CivicRec, you are able to stay up to date on all current information.

• A lap/aqua membership will give access to the facility during all lap swim, water aerobics times, and open swim times. 10-punch, 1-month, 3-month, and annual passes are available.
• An open swim membership will give users access to the facility only during open swim times. 1-month or 3-month memberships are available.
• Family memberships are available for Open swim times, and available for families up to 7 users. Must be immediate family members or of the same household.

The waterslide is on April - October of every year. All riders must follow safety rules and have to be 48" tall or able to pass a swim test.

Locker usage for the day is free. A monthly usage fee is $10 and an annual usage fee is $100.

Children 8 and under MUST be accompanied by a parent/guardian in the water within arms reach at all times.

Children 9 to 11 MUST have a parent/guardian who is 18 years of age or older at the facility at all times.

Water meters and services up to 2 inches are installed by the City. A service request must be submitted to the City Development Services Division located at:
226 S 5th Street
1st Floor
Klamath Falls, OR 97601

Fees must be paid and specific location information completed before City crews will be dispatched to install a water service and/or meter. Fees will vary depending on meter size. Should you have questions about fees, please contact the Engineering Division at 541-883-5368.

Yes. If you have an underground irrigation system for your yard, fire suppression sprinkler system, boiler, pool/spa or water feature, state law requires that you get a backflow prevention assembly to prevent contaminated water from flow back into your drinking water-a serious health hazard. If you have questions please call 541-883-4956 to speak with our cross connection control specialist. A plumbing permit is required for all new installations and when altering existing plumbing. A permit may be obtained from the:
Klamath County Building Department
305 Main Street
1st Floor
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-883-5121

The City is required by Oregon State Law to maintain a minimum of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) water pressure at all times and under all conditions. Current City Engineering Construction Standards require a minimum of 40 psi, however, in older existing area pressures may be lower due to undersized piping, area water demands and location/elevation of the service area.

A standard residential water meter is 5/8 inches and will flow up to 25 gallons of water per minute. The average home uses 314 gallons per day and 690 gallons per day during peak demand periods.

Your water could be discolored for the following reasons:

• A fire hydrant has been opened in a localized area.
• There is construction in a localized area.
• Increased seasonal demands in localized area.
• Naturally occurring minerals in the water source. Increased water velocity in the water lines may dislodge mineral sediment and/or pipe scale causing brown or reddish brown water. White deposits on faucets or other fixtures are generally caused by calcium carbonate which is a natural occurring mineral in the water. The amount of calcium carbonate in the water determines how hard or soft the water is and the City water tends to be soft or moderately soft throughout the system. The water is safe to drink, however a discolored water condition can cause staining of laundry or some plumbing fixtures.

Glass can still be recycled in Klamath Falls, however, Waste Management is no longer handling it. If you would like to recycle glass it may be taken to the Klamath County Landfill on Old Fort Road. They will then take and crush the glass and use it for road base at the landfill. 

Waste Management quit taking glass for two reasons; one, the current market prices do not pay enough to cover the shipping of glass. Glass is a fairly heavy product and must be shipped 300 miles north or south to reach a glass recycling plant. The other reason glass is not picked up with our other curbside recyclables is that it is breakable. When glass breaks in the load it contaminates the entire load. If paper recyclables go through and there is glass in the load it can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the machinery.

Waste Management discontinued the pickup of areas outside the urban growth boundary when the City of Klamath Falls switched the new roll cart system. When their management went through the numbers it did not come out economically feasible to continue that service outside the urban growth boundary.

Yes, doing any type of business within the City limits, regardless of whom you're selling to, requires you to have a business license.

Yes, after September 30th, fees for a new business license goes down to $75.

A temporary business license would be appropriate. They last 45 days.

Yes, there are codes that have to be followed. The zoning of your property will determine what types of business you're allowed to have.

If you're doing business within the City Limits, you'll need several different things:

• A letter stating permission from the business/property owner where you would be located
• A drawing of the site showing where you propose to set up
• A current City business license
• If you are selling any type of food, you'll also need to check with the County Health Department.

An arraignment is a first appearance in court. Defendants will enter a plea and be notified of their rights. If a plea of No Contest is entered, you will see the judge and if a plea of Not Guilty is entered a trial will be set for a future date.

In 1997, Oregon passed a law which requires the registered owner of a vehicle to notify the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) of the sale or transfer within 10 days. If you have not notified the DMV of the sale of your vehicle, you need to contact the DMV ASAP at NOTIFY DMV and select the option "Report Your Vehicle Sold."

Municipal Court has contacted you because you are the listed owner according to the DMV. 

This court requires personal appearances for certain violations. If your citation states; Must Appear, M.A. or Appear you must appear in court to handle. In the event you wish to seek a reduction in fine, or compliance dismissal in relation to a citation for FAIL TO CARRY PROOF OF INSURANCE OR DRIVING UNINSURED, you must provide proof of insurance at least two business days prior to your court date. If the proof of insurance is not submitted prior to the court date, your appearance date will be moved so the insurance may be verified.

For violations that do not require a formal court appearance and you would like to handle prior to the court date, they may be handled by a Court Clerk during regular business hours.

If you miss your initial court date, unless there is a justifiable excuse for missing your court date as stipulated under ORS 153.10, in addition to the presumptive fine for your violation(s), a Failure to Appear fee will be applied to each of your violation(s). Furthermore, the Department of Motor Vehicles will receive a notice of conviction for your violation(s).

If the fines and fees are not paid by the due date, your driver’s license will be suspended, and your account will be sent to collections. 

Trials are scheduled upon a plea of “Not Guilty,” or as ordered by the court, and are normally scheduled within 4 to 6 weeks of entering your plea. Trials are scheduled based on court and officer(s) availability, with night court being an option that may be assigned.

If you fail to appear at your Trial the court may:

• Issue a warrant for your arrest on criminal citations;
• Take Action to suspend your driver’s license; and/or
• Pursuant to ORS 153.102, determine guilt or innocence without your presence and, if found guilty, impose sentence, which may include a fine in excess of the presumptive fine amount on violation citations.
• Add a Failure to Appear Fee per violation.

Once a judgement has been entered and fines have been imposed, you have up to 30 days to pay in full with no additional fee or a payment plan may be set-up with a small fee being added. This option allows for smaller payments to be made over a period of time, up to a year.

• Online Payments:       PAY ONLINE
• Phone Payments:       541-883-5311
• Mail Payments:          Klamath Falls Municipal Court, P.O. Bo 237, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601                               
• In Person:                  500 Klamath Avenue during regular business hours

In the event you are unable to make the payments as ordered it is recommended that you contact the court to discuss options.

When appearing in court, please do not wear shorts, thin strap tops, pajamas or swimsuits. And if you bring a hat or sunglasses, please take them off while you’re in court.

• No weapons are allowed in the court room.
• Cell phones, pagers and electronic devices must be silenced or turned off while in court.
• No food or drinks are allowed in the court room.
• Appropriate clothing must be worn in court.
• Children must be under the direct supervision of an adult and must behave while in court. If they are being disruptive you will be asked to leave the court room.

Klamath County Circuit Court (13^th Judicial)          541-883-5503

Klamath County Justice Court                                541-884-1864

Klamath County Juvenile Department                    541-884-4167

Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles                   503-945-5000

The DMV offers a hardship permit (or hardship license) which can allow holders to operate vehicles for a limited time while they are in the process of obtaining car insurance or being reinstated. If the judge has recommended that you obtain a hardship license, please fill out the following application and submit directly to the DMV along with their requested payment. The charge is a maximum of $125.

NOTE: Municipal Court clerks cannot help you fill out this application; in addition, completing and submitting the application does not guarantee that the DMV will grant you a hardship license. The DMV will determine if your circumstances qualify for a hardship license and will notify you based on their conclusion.

Our court generally offers an in-person traffic school for most cases. However, at the judge’s discretion, an online course may be assigned instead. Please contact the court for more details if you believe an online option may be applicable to your case.

If your incident is an emergency, call 911. If non-emergency call 541-883-5336.

No, If a crime took place outside of the City of Klamath Falls, please call the police department for that city.

If this took place on a state Freeway, please call the Oregon State Police Office nearest you.

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in.