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3 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 City moves to acquire 'Acid Rocks' lots ... ODOT to begin paving and cable work on I-5 ... Governor orders flags lowered to half-staff following Sen. Bates' death ... City moves to acquire 'Acid Rocks' lots ... ODOT to begin paving and cable work on I-5 ... Governor orders flags lowered to half-staff following Sen. Bates' death ... OUR VIEW Our View: Dining and driving Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 2, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News The City Council doesn't have to ask Ashland voters for permission to divert some meals tax proceeds to resurface city streets, but it is poised to do so anyway — a nice gesture, considering that voters approved the meals tax in the first place to pay for a new sewage treatment plant. The council should place the proposal before voters in the November 8 election, and voters should approve it. The city finds itself in the enviable position of having more food and beverage tax money than it needs to meet its obligations for two reasons: diners bought more restaurant meals than projected, and the city refinanced the bonds it used to pay for the treatment plant, getting a lower interest rate and reducing the payments on those bonds. The result: $600,000 the city can use for other purposes. City street repairs are a particularly pressing need; some have not been resurfaced in 15 years. That's largely the result of declines in gas tax revenue, because cars are getting more efficient and people drove less during the recession. City street utility fees also have not met expectations. Street repairs are especially important because if they are put off too long, a simple paving job becomes much more expensive. The meals tax will remain at 5 percent, and will still sunset in 2030. Between now and then, the city can issue $10.5 million in bonds to cover street repairs and pay them off with the meals tax. That's a win-win proposition. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 2, 2016 at 12:01 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... 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