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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Local Issues Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Top Galleries: February 7, 2007 City could raise property taxes for library By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland City Council is planning to raise property taxes without asking city voters in order to fund the Ashland Public Library. On Tuesday night, a City Council majority voted to pursue increasing property taxes by 32 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 would pay an additional $80 per year. The Ashland Citizens' Budget Committee — made up of seven residents, the six-member City Council and the mayor — would have to approve the plan. After securing budget committee permission, the City Council can raise property taxes up to that amount. The city would then be at its maximum ceiling for property tax increases that can be imposed without voter consent. However, the property tax increase would still not be enough to fund current Ashland library operations. The City Council also directed staff to come back in two weeks with information on other funding sources, including cutting city spending and raising fees. The 32 cents per $1,000 tax increase would generate $560,000 annually, although city staff estimate $1.2 million to $1.4 million is needed to run the Ashland library. The City Council will not go forward with its funding plan if Jackson County voters approve a property tax increase to fund libraries throughout the county. Also on Tuesday, the Jackson County budget committee decided to ask county voters in May to approve a levy that would raise property taxes by 66 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. The owner of a home assessed at $250,000 would pay an additional $165 per year. A similar county-wide levy failed in November 2006. City Councilor Eric Navickas noted that 70 percent of Ashland voters supported the November levy, and therefore there is no political need to ask voters for permission to raise taxes at the 32 cents per $1,000 level — a move the council can legally make on its own. That tax increase would be a back-up plan if county voters once again reject county-wide funding. "Voters have already given a mandate on this issue in Ashland," Navickas said. He said he was not worried that the back-up plan would lower the incentive for Ashland library supporters to vote for the county funding solution. "Ashland voters are well educated and I think they will solidly support the county tax levy," Navickas said. Former Mayor Cathy Shaw, a political campaign manager who has long been active on library issues, said a high voter turn-out among Ashland library supporters is absolutely critical for the success of the county levy. But she said having an Ashland levy and a county levy on the ballot at the same time might have hurt the chances for either to pass. However, City Councilor David Chapman voted against raising Ashland's property tax by the 32 cents per $1,000 level. "It's not enough money," he said. Chapman said the city instead should ask Ashland voters to approve a property tax increase at the 66 cents level as the back-up plan in case the county levy fails. That increase would generate about $1.1 million for Ashland's library, according to city staff. Navickas and Councilors Alice Hardesty, Cate Hartzell and Russ Silbiger voted for the 32 cents per $1,000 property tax increase. Councilor Kate Jackson voted with Chapman against the plan. Mayor John Morrison votes only in case of a tie. In other business, the City Council voted unanimously to consider raising Ashland's 7 percent lodging tax. The council will discuss how to allocate the additional funds, and will hold a public hearing on the issue before making a final decision. By state law, the majority of any increase would have to be spent to promote tourism. But raising the tax from 7 percent to 9 percent would generate about $130,000 per year that could be used for other needs, such as supporting Ashland's library, according to city staff research. Drew Baily, the Southern Oregon regional representative for the Oregon Lodging and Restaurant Association, said local lodging businesses and restaurants - which are subject to the city's meals tax - are already paying their fair share. "Placing more of a burden on businesses that already support the community is unfair," Baily said. If the city needs to generate more revenue, he advocated a more broad-based approach, such as a retail tax. Also Tuesday night, the City Council confirmed the mayor's appointment of Fontana, Calif. police captain Terry Holderness as Ashland's new police chief. Staff writer Vickie Aldous can be reached at 479-8199 or [email protected]. Current Comments: Tax Tax Tax...Welcome to Tax town. How 'bout big signs near the I-5 on-ramps that say: "Keep going if you make under $100,000 a year, we don't want your kind here, otherwise Welcome to Ashland, rich Californians!!" Leo ( [email protected] ) - ashland - February 7th, 1:16 PM City Councilor Erik Navickas needs to be RECALLED immediately as well as Hartzell, Hardesty, and Silberger! Who do these people think they are?! For shame, Council! Voters turned down library levies yet you seek to sneak in more taxes while raising the City budget to about $5,000 for every man, woman, and child in Ashland? Honestly, do you people spend your own money the way you spend mine? Don't tell me there isn't at least $2 million in pork in your absurd budget! Recall them all!!!! TaxedBeyondRecognition - Ashland, OR - February 7th, 1:30 PM Congratulations, all you people who voted for Navickas, on taxing the working class right out of Ashland. First Council health insurance benefits, then a raise, and now he begins on property owners. Hang on to your hats and hide your pennies, the tax and spend has only just begun for Eric Navickas, Alice Hardesty, Cate Hartzell and Russ Silbiger who all voted for the property tax increase. The Socialist Republic of Ashland is well on its way. Boris Ashlandofsky - Socialist Republic of Ashland - February 7th, 1:45 PM Taxing isn't the answer. Staff the library with volunteers. Pay for utilities with user fees. Stock the library with donated books, magazines, etc. Problem solved. A - Ashland - February 7th, 1:47 PM Of course Navickas, who owns no property in Ashland, thinks there's no reason to ask voters about this. His reasoning is flawed! That 32 cents of taxing availability was NOT there to be used on a county library! If he wants to spend it on that, ASK THE VOTERS! The previous vote has NO BEARING on this 32 cents. RECALL - Ashland - February 7th, 1:51 PM I still can't believe that people actually voted for Navickas simply because he's not homeless. I for one voted for Lemhouse who, of all people, should know the value of a dollar and the effort that goes into earning them. Meanwhile Hartzell & Co. have proven records of trying to shut down existing businesses and stifle new business. Remember Northlight? How much property tax, business license tax, and employment would that have brought to town? But noooo... TaxedBeyondRecognition - Ashland, OR - February 7th, 2:23 PM I own a home here and we are a family living on a very modest income. I think this plan to support the Ashland branch library in case the county measure fails is a good one. (Not to spoil the perfect echo chamber of these Daily Tidings "forums" or anything.) Susan - Ashland - February 7th, 2:44 PM Susan, I am absolutely not opposed to public services or to paying for said services. I do fault the City and County for failing to make use of the grace period the feds gave us to diversify the economy. I fault them for rampant waste that could be cut sans drop in services. I fault them for stifling business and development that could add tax revenues sans new taxes. I fault them for all of the above plus the audacity to cry poor once their house of cards collapses. Shame on them. TaxedBeyondRecognition - Ashland, OR - February 7th, 3:07 PM Oh cut city spending after getting a property tax. Lets cuit city spending 1st before sticking it too the property owners. The city has no buisness in the Library they can't even fix a broken head. Tax you first than look at a few cuts in citys spending. Like lay off 2o city workers to start. Cut coucil's insurance. ann - ashland or - February 7th, 3:11 PM I have a request. Does anyone have any information on a property tax that was passed at a county level some years ago to fund the maintenance and operation of libraries? Apparently this tax is still being levied but is not being used for its intended purpose. If what I have read is correct, we are still paying 63 cents in tax on every $1000 of our houses assessed value. This levy was separate from the later levy to build the libraries. If this is indeed the case, where is the money? doug forsyth - Ashland - February 7th, 3:52 PM Tax first, ask later . . . anything but confront the waste and inefficiencies in their loyal public employee voter base. The union bosses are already reassuring their members that their next contract will make up the added real estate tax � the deal is already done. At least trustfunders, PERSasites and retired UC profs will have to pay, too. nofreelunch - ashland, OR - February 7th, 3:54 PM I hope the sane people left in Ashland are keeping their eye on the ball. These guys are maxing out their ceiling for non-voter approved property tax increases over libraries. All your senators and representatives are telling you that it's really about public safety (sheriff,fire,schools,jails). By the time the real problems hit,all the emergency measures and cushion will be gone. This Navickas character sounds like he's gotten a little to big for his britches. I guess you get what you vote for. FormerAshlandTimberman - McCall, ID - February 7th, 4:00 PM Cutting out council's insurance would be a good start to finding money to fund things. I won't vote for this tax increase. Oh yeah, we don't get to vote, our elected council already decided. This city can't handle running one more thing. It would be absurb to try. Oak Knoll, Mt. Ashland, law suits, and AFN that the community did not want...why are you trying to add on one more thing to run?? Our elementary kids could do a better job. Lisa - Ashland - February 7th, 4:32 PM AMEN, Ann!!! TaxedBeyondRecognition - Ashland, OR - February 7th, 4:52 PM Our city council members are a bunch of parasites! Throw them out of office. JD - Ashland, OR - February 7th, 8:05 PM Let's start getting the recall petitions together. Top of the list....Hartvickas. Practical - Ashland, Ore - February 7th, 8:40 PM This is a stupid mistake, and I say that as a supporter of our libraries. Ashland can not, and should not, go this alone. Council should work with other cities and force the Commissioners to use some portion of the 1998 Library operations levy to fund the libraries. enough - ashland, or - February 7th, 8:52 PM Will all you sore-losers just move on. Lemhouse LOST ! And please refrain from licking your ugly loser-sores in public. Highbrow - Ashland OR - February 7th, 9:09 PM Speaking strictly to the TAX INCREASE - does anyone else feel like they live in communist RUSSIA?It doesn't matter how wonderful the library is for the community;We voters spoke in the last election when our message to the government was that they cut spending and not raise taxes.Here comes Ashland to VETO the voters.We can't vote and decide what's best ourselves,the council has to step in like big brother and TAX us because they know what's best-not us. I have a problem with this Vladimir. Steve L. Iverson - Socialist Republic of Ashland - February 7th, 10:11 PM HIGH-bro, This has nothing to do with the election. This has to do with the results of the Navickas-led tax and spend. Stick to the subject: taxation & spending without a vote. The only ugly comments around here are yours. No more property tax - Ashland, OR - February 8th, 9:38 AM Do we remember the movie "POPEYE"? POPEYE - TAXVILLE - February 8th, 10:07 AM Many young families in the valley, including Ashland, are stretched to the maximum fianacially just making current mortgage payments and property tax payments. Many residents want the library services to continue, but they cannot afford any substantial additional property tax burden. Ashland cannot go it alone. Simply putting another tax levy on the ballot, that voters already disapproved, is not a constructive or creative solution. Liz Anderson - Shady Cove, Oregon - February 8th, 1:33 PM If the town of Ashland won't pay the salary of a BUSINESS MANAGER, then they should not expect volunteer public servants to do a great job of managing its finances. These office holders may mean well, iinitially, but they are incompetent. It would be more cost-effective to have professionals managing the towns finances. kathleenh - Ashland, OR - February 8th, 3:20 PM Well said kathleenh. JD - Ashland, OR - February 8th, 4:29 PM I am a Lineman working in the City Electric Dept. I am represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Linemen employed by Pacific Power and a large majority of electric utilties nationwide, are represented by the IBEW. I have not been contacted from my union representation as "no free lunch" suggests. Speaking for myself, as a homeowner and employee who has chosen to reside in Ashland, I am concerned with spiraling taxes. Not just city, also, county, state, and federal. Michael J. Bianco, Jr ( [email protected] ) - Ashalnd, OR - February 8th, 7:02 PM Who are these morons running your City? I can't think of a more perfect example of the entitlement mindset. Go to work, contribute to society, and stop being parasites and blood suckers. It's not your money, so if there is something you want, go earn it, then YOU go pay for it yourself. And for you renters out there. Guess what? The tax bill gets passed on to you when your landlords bumb rents to cover costs. PS Hey, panhandelers, try taking a bath and invest in better looking dogs. Enough is Enough - San Francisco, Ca. - February 8th, 8:04 PM I am appalled but not surprised by the attitude of our comrades on the council who are talking about raising our property taxes w/o a vote. We all are in favor of keeping the libraries open, but we need to do it without increasing the tax burden on the already overtaxed property owners. "Affordable" housing in Ashland is but a myth with our politicians driving the middle class out with tax increases. You renters will also feel the pinch with rent increases. There is no free lunch! AR - Ashland, OR - February 9th, 7:23 AM Gutless Wonders these people on the council who vote to raise taxes just under the legal limit required for a full City vote by bona fide taxpaying citizens! Yes, there is so much pork and bad business passed by the this and previous Councils, and yet people keep voting for members that screw us!? What happened to Kate Jackson's campaign promise to sell off some land to pay our (their!) miserable debts? Lester Lester Ingber - Ashland OR - February 9th, 10:40 AM To Bianco: You mean you will forgo any increase in pay on your next contract to help the city fund the library? Or will you pass on the cost of your increased taxes to other property owners by demanding more? Just because your union bosses haven't told you directly � that would be too obvious � doesn't mean they aren't already factoring in the new tax burden to pass it on to other citizens. "Cost of living" increase, perhaps? nofreelunch - ashland, OR - February 9th, 12:38 PM I am a long time resident of Ashland, 50+ years, am a homeowner. But am being property taxed out of this town I've lived in for so long... Please look somewhere else for revenues for libraries and let long time Ashlander's continue to live here! All else fail's I can move to Medford I guess... Thanks. Dennis McCartney - Ashland, Ore. - February 9th, 1:53 PM yes to us NOT GOING IT ALONE w/ libraries; we in Ashland LOVE to go it alone' remember the water non-sense? then when common sense came along, we paid DOUBLE to help w/ inter-tie... Now, we're watching what we voted-in, run the city. BUSINESS MANAGER TO THE RESCUE! IT's obvious now, that Ashland can no longer afford AMATUERS in the Council; the tab is too high and getting higher. Recall them all and hire a PROPER BUSINESS MANAGER. SOONER the better!! I'm selling and getting out of this crap. RECALL - aSHLAND - February 9th, 6:29 PM I mentioned the IBEW represents many utilities. Both public and private. My next contract will reflect the wage consitant throughout the industry for my position. I do not utilize the library. I will, however, as a citizen and homeowner, be subjected to additional taxation as everyone else. My negotiated wage reflects what the market will bear. As a lineman employed by the city, I have chosen to reside in Ashland. If I relocated to Medford, my negotiated wage would not reflect any savings. Michael J Bianco, Jr ( [email protected] ) - Ashland, OR - February 9th, 7:48 PM Instead of asking taxpayers to support under-funded projects why not calculate the life cycle costs up front and prepare a budget that calculates the operating and maintenance expenses of the building over its lifespan. Revenues needed to operate the library should not be the taxpayer's burden. City planners wasted thousands on architectural fees designing a LEED certified "Ashland Library" and then dropped the plan when it was evident the project was over budget...Excellent planning. Brilliant! SRC - Ashland Ore - February 9th, 9:09 PM Not good enough, IBEW, to hide behind "what the market will bear." The "market" is your neighbors, not some profitable conglomerate which can raise prices. I want to hear all the city employee unions GIVE BACK some of the lucrative raises they've enjoyed over the years and OPPOSE tax hikes until the city gets its financial house in order. After all, aren't we "all in this together"? Or does that only work when it benefits YOU? nofreelunch - ashland, OR - February 9th, 10:49 PM All this talk of a Business Manager. I'm not as smart as I try to be and have to ask, "What is the job of a high paid City Administrator if not as a business manger?" Where�s our new City Administrator (lost track of who's working that revolving door position?)Why is the CC running the town? Isn't that why we have a City Administrator? Some might not have liked Brian Almquist, but he ran the city, and ran it well.We need strong leadership and direction from our City Administrator. Don't we? Steve L. Iverson - Taxland, Oregon "Let them Eat Cake" - February 9th, 11:08 PM nofreelunch, Do you really believe the responsibility to pay for the library rests on public employees anymore than anyone else? Do you believe they have any say at all in what taxes get passed? Many City employees are stretched too thin as well and given a vote, would not add to the tax burden. Pay scales were set years ago and are adjusted at the indexed COLA. Seems fair. Tax implications have zero influence. Such uninformed and misguided blame and attacks as yours don't resolve anything. former city employee - Medford - February 9th, 11:48 PM Wow, I have heard many stories of high property taxes in Oregon, now I see how they are born. Why not user fees? Has this been discussed in council chambers? As a (hopefully) future Ashland resident, this kind of levy(tax) really has given me second thoughts about moving to Ashland. I enjoy the public forum here and will stay tuned. Christian - Yrekas,Ca - February 10th, 7:29 AM Mr. Iverson...I rarely agree with you but when you write "We need strong leadership and direction from our City Administrator" you are dead on. The implicit corollary to this is that we need a Council and Planning Commission THAT LETS STAFF DO ITS JOB. If the the Hartzell/Hardesty/Navickas three-headed monster would STFU, if Stromberg/Dimtre/Dawkins/ would stop doing the bidding of the Four Horsemen (Swales et al) PERHAPS Ashland could actually address a problem and staff could move forward. enough - ashland, or - February 10th, 7:40 AM Employees of for-profit enterprises share in profits earned in free markets. If they take too much, the business fails. Govt. is a monopoly. Pols take $$$ by force to reward employees whose unions reciprocate with contributions and bloc voting. Check out the PERS mess. Mgmt./labor collusion means that when taxes go up, your "indexed COLA" and sweetheart contracts cover your loss. With no "indexed COLA," I just pay more. Ashland's broke, neighbor, tell the union bosses you want to share our pain! nofreelunch - ashland, OR - February 10th, 8:57 AM Impose a property tax without our votes? Is it just me or does that make most citizens angry????? JJ-Ashland native - Ashland - February 10th, 6:18 PM no free lunch. Area median incomes (including all private and free market jobs) went up 5.25% in 2005 in Jackson County (usually its about 3%). Union wages at my former employer (City of Medford) went up 3% that same year based on the COLA. The OPEU does not make campaign contributions or form a voting bloc. Pers (Tier two) fixed the mess from here forward. Your kneejerk anti tax attitude is just blaming"public employees" for all. I share your pain through all the same taxation. former city employee - medford - February 11th, 2:15 PM What a great idea Erik. Lets not give anyone a chance to voice their objections through a vote. Lets just stick it to them again. You jerk! Taxed to death - Ashland - February 11th, 6:00 PM enough-thanks.I find that when I'm not as passionate about an issue it's easier to make a good point.I totally agree with you too man. Why do we have two teams trying to push the football into the end zone but running different plays? Either the City hired staff runs the city or the council takes over and does it.We sure could save a lot of money if we fired the city staff and just let the council keep running everything.Of course,the downside to that is the council would ruin the city.Like now Steve L. Iverson - Ashland, Jefferson - February 11th, 11:14 PM Former: the fact remains that you will get more from the public treasury, for the same work, to cover a tax increase, and are thus taking from your neighbors who cannot. Shouldn't you sacrifice for the common good? Let's put EVERYTHING on the table during this fiscal crisis? Why should your COLA be exempt? I think you got a "mouth full of gimme, and a hand full of much obliged." BTW, public employee unions have fought PERS reform tooth and nail, and union PACs DO contribute to candidates. nofreelunch - ashland, OR - February 12th, 9:00 AM Is all this necessary? Didn't Gordon Smith recently vow to filibuster every Senate bill until the federal library funding [timber] was restored? See, we can make "someone else" pay. Way to go, Gordie. And what if anything has Greg Walden "promised"? Oh, that's right--he wouldn't even mention the word "Iraq" in his recent feel-good campaign. Let's recall them all. [see how easy it is to get terrorism into this "discussion"? Oops, I forgot "support the troops".] Tom Besich - Ashland - February 12th, 11:29 AM You know, a governmental body once went the taxation without representation route. The result was a harbor full of tea. Oh, and the Revolutionary War. Can anyone think of one sound reason why peaceably assembling to petition our gov't and fellow citizens for redress of grievances in the form of a RECALL can't/shouldn't be done? Seriously. Anyone? I sure can't. TaxedBeyondRecognition - Ashland, OR - February 12th, 3:34 PM It's this kind of rewriting of history and logic that got us in this mess. As in the past more spending and taxing will once again solve absolutely nothing. The dismantling of Ashland is well on its way. Open space is to be workforce housing, the local economy destroyed, god bless our fat head Lincoln, no skiing, no working Lithia fountains or downtown parking and so it goes with the progressive movement. If you want our support you need a better rallying cry than-- Shut up and Pay! on and on - ashland - February 23rd, 1:55 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising: Debt Help Inkjet Printers Payday Loans Free Ringtones Debt Consolidation Security Systems Debt Relief New Hampshire Primary Advertisement: Copyright © 2007 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved. Del.icio.us