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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 Michigan dean among finalists for SOU presidency ... Ticket availability ... Lake Shasta college party routinely turns wild ... Michigan dean among finalists for SOU presidency ... Ticket availability ... Lake Shasta college party routinely turns wild ... BUS SERVICE RVTD five-year levy passing with 61 percent Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 9:57 PM Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 9:57 PM » Social News Jackson County voters appear to be tired of cuts to bus service in the valley. Early results showed overwhelming approval Tuesday night for a five-year property tax levy to expand and improve Rogue Valley Transportation District services. Measure 15-141, which would tax Jackson County property owners 13 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $26 a year on a $200,000 house, was passing 61.5 percent to 38.5 percent after the first batch of election returns Tuesday night. Taxpayers currently pay about 18 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for RVTD services. The levy would collect an estimated $1.78 million in the first year. About 62 percent of the funds would help erase a $1 million annual deficit, which RVTD officials said comes from increases in wages, maintenance and health care costs, and a reduction in federal funds. To fill the gap and maintain current service levels, RVTD has been using reserve funds, which they estimate will run out by 2018 without the levy. The tax dollars also would be used to provide more frequent service along Highway 99 through Medford, Phoenix, Talent and Ashland, expand service to southwestern Medford, and restore Saturday service, which was cut in 2015. RVTD officials also said service to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center would be more frequent if the measure passes, and that riders could travel out to the Table Rock Campus in White City. About 1.3 million people use the bus service annually. The tax would be collected until 2021, generating close to $9.5 million, according to the Jackson County Voters Pamphlet. The website www.roguevalleytransitnow.org says local funding rates for RVTD have not increased since 1974, "despite the growing need for transit and the rising cost of fuel, wages, health insurance, etc." RVTD officials said they have been whittling away at services since 2004 in an effort to make ends meet. That includes a 30 percent reduction in administrative staff in 2006 and a reduction in how often buses pick up passengers along routes to RRMC, along Highway 99 from Medford to Ashland, and around the Ashland city limits. They cut Saturday and evening service and increased fares to help make budget. "We cannot cut costs any more without really jeopardizing the service that you see," said Paige Townsend, RVTD senior planner and support services manager. "We cut back as much as we could on the non-operating side of RVTD." DailyTidings.com Writer Posted May. 17, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated May 17, 2016 at 9:57 PM » 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... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site 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. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501