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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... AHS breaks ground on new field ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... Ashland contractor faces federal bribery charge ... AHS breaks ground on new field ... Jackson County elected officials to get pay raises ... CITY OF ASHLAND Council, Parks & Rec commission to hold joint meeting Use of food and beverage tax funds, new pool status on the agenda Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Pay the paver sooner, or pay more later • Ashland will allow winter use of Daniel Meyer Pool • Ad hoc committee seeks long-term pool solutions • City says market vendors subject to food tax • Tourism-related tax revenues for Ashland see small rise » Social News When it comes to eating out at restaurants and bars, things have been going better than expected from the city of Ashland's point of view. The city’s food and beverage tax of 5 percent on all prepared food is generating higher-than-expected revenues and continues to gain momentum. It’s projected to bring in about $2.5 million dollars this year and by 2023 be in the $3 million dollar range, according to the projections prepared by city Administrator Dave Kanner. The food and beverage tax was passed by Ashland voters in 1990 and renewed in 2009 to pay for a new sewage treatment plant. The debt payments on the plant have stayed flat while the amount of tax coming in has increased. The exact reason is unclear. “It could be that more people are coming to town, it could be that restaurants are charging more or there are more restaurants or a combination,” says Kanner. The bottom line is that the bottom line has grown and is projected to continue. It leaves the City of Ashland with a windfall. Discussions about how to best spend that windfall have primarily hinged on two ideas: create a paving plan for all roads in Ashland that have not been maintained in 15 years and to give the city of Ashland Parks Department an increase in funding. The City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission will hear a proposal to increase the money to buy parks equipment by more than $130,000. “The money would go for equipment, things like tractors, vehicles, lawn mowers, weed eaters and equipment the Parks Department uses to maintain parks,” said Kanner. Kanner will be presenting the option at a joint meeting of the council and commission Tuesday evening, March 29. As to the idea of using the additional money to fund street repair, that has not been decided. Mayor John Stromberg was part of the team looking into and expressed a favorable reaction, but wants to allow voters to weigh in since it would mean a change to the original funding plan. “I think we need to ask for the voters," Stromberg said, "but I think they’ll see the need and pass it.” Councilor Pam Marsh agreed, saying “It’s like going to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned so you don’t need a root canal. No one wants a root canal.” Councilors are not expected to vote on the increase for parks equipment, but to consider the information. If paving plan from the food and beverage tax is brought before voters, it’s likely the parks funding increase would be a part of that as well. At the joint meeting, there's also expected to be a presentation from the city of Ashland Parks Department about the status of plans for a new competition-sized swimming pool available to residents and sports teams. When Southern Oregon University demolished its athletic building, the pool went with it. Now the Parks Department is trying to come up with a way to assist the community in having a year-round, indoor, competition-sized swimming pool. The costs associated are between $250,000 and $500,000. SOU has stated publicly they would be willing to make room for a pool, but it is not willing to pay for it or maintain it. Parks & Recreation Director Michael Black is expected to make a presentation on the status of the pool. He was unavailable for comment Monday. The joint meeting of the Ashland City Council and the Ashland Parks & Recreation Commission starts at 5:30 pm. at 1175 East Main St. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 29, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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