Document text
--> --> Community Development receives budget approval By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland Budget Committee gave preliminary approval to a $1,904,782 budget for the Ashland Community Development Department, which is continuing its efforts to recover more of its costs from developers rather than taxpayers. The budget for the current fiscal year is $1,538,000. "We instituted a new fee schedule that went into place this January," John McLaughlin, community development director, told budget committee members at a Monday afternoon meeting. The department expects to recover 55 percent of its costs for processing planning applications from developers, rather than 20 percent recovered in past years, McLaughlin said. Eventually, the department could raise fees to recover 75 percent of its costs, he said. Many planning departments across the country have grappled with appropriately dividing costs between developers and the general public, which derives quality of life benefits from regulated development. The budget committee also reviewed a request for $55,000 to hire an urban forester for the city. That amount was not included in the department's overall budget. Because of questions regarding the role and duties of the urban forester, budget committee members declined to vote on whether to approve the new position, which would be under the community development department. "I would hate to see us vote for $55,000 when we don't know what we're getting," said David Williams, a citizen member of the budget committee, which is composed of residents and Ashland City Council members. The council will take up the issue instead. The Ashland Tree Commission is working on a city tree ordinance which could require residents and developers to get a permit before removing trees. Although details have yet to be finalized, the urban forester could be responsible for managing the permit system, enforcing existing tree protection rules, educating the public about trees and helping to organize neighborhood tree planting parties, among other duties, McLaughlin said. McLaughlin also has proposed making the temporary building official position a full-time position. The building official presently works full time only due to the volume of development, and could be lured away by a full-time job plus benefits at another city after the City of Ashland has invested in training the official, he said. The budget committee also approved $11,139,475 for the Ashland Finance Department, up from $10,519,600. The bulk of the money goes to finance construction on public buildings. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing