The board of the Salem Area Mass Transit District will meet Thursday to consider new charging equipment for electric buses, along with reports on assaults against staff and upcoming projects.

The regular meeting is taking place as the transit agency, known as Cherriots, has received heightened attention in recent weeks after proposing to impose a new 0.7% payroll tax on employers to increase weekend bus hours and build new transit stations. The board recently indicated that it plans to delay the tax until 2027 , and may reduce the rate depending on the outcome of state policy this year.

There is no action or discussion about the tax on the meeting agenda.

Written public comment for the Thursday, Aug. 28, meeting includes opposition to the tax from Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark on behalf

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