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2 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 North Medford grad takes film to two festivals ... Rain, snow move Jackson County away from drought ... Jackson County commissioner says state law does limit pot grows ... North Medford grad takes film to two festivals ... Rain, snow move Jackson County away from drought ... Jackson County commissioner says state law does limit pot grows ... INFRASTRUCTURE Pay the paver sooner, or pay more later City eyes diverting portion of prepared food tax to repair streets Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 10:47 AM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 11, 2016 at 10:47 AM » Social News There is good news and bad news in the city of Ashland. First the good news: The Food and Beverage Tax, which adds 5 percent to your tab when you buy prepared food in Ashland, has been a major success in generating income and has been approved more than once by voters. With an increase in tourism and an improved economy, the F&B Tax is going gangbusters. Projections are money brought in through the tax will generate more than a million dollars in excess above the share of the cost of the sewage treatment plant it was expected to bear. Voters first passed the tax in 1990 in order to finance a new sewage treatment plant. It’s one of the few voter-approved taxes in Oregon and it won a second vote of confidence in 2009 when voters extended it. One percent of the tax goes to parks and the other 4 percent goes to the treatment plant, both of which tourists, who pay the bulk of the tax, use. The tax does not expire until 2030. But that plant, now built, has had its debt re-financed. The payments are lower than they used to be. This means there is money left over which could be used for another city project involving infrastructure and which tourists also use. Now the bad news: City streets have not been repaired in 15 years. That’s the breaking point for roads, according to the city of Ashland Department of Public Works as recently documented in a City Council study session. After that amount of time, a simple 1- or 2-nch repaving may not work, according the Department of Public Works. Road reconstruction begins to come into play after the 15-year mark which is much more costly. “It’s like going to the dentist to get your teeth cleaned," says City Councilor Pam Marsh. "If you don’t, then you need a root canal, which cost a lot more money. No one wants a root canal.” The city of Ashland describes the cost of deferred road maintenance on its web site this way: “The North Mountain Avenue Hersey to I-5 Street Overlay project is a good example of how costs can accelerate during the last 5 years of pavement life. This project was originally scheduled for an overlay in 2011 at an estimated cost of $275,000. "Then, in order to complete the Hersey/Wimer North Main Street Re-alignment project, the North Mountain project was delayed. The project was added back to the 2012-2015 biennium budget with a cost of $350,000 to account for inflation. However, the actual bids came in at $655,300 as the number of base repair and asphalt dig outs doubled from the original estimate." While City Administrator Dave Kanner told the council it’s possible for them to divert the money from the F&B Tax without going to the voters, several council members suggested it would still be advisable. “I think if voters approved us using the money for one purpose and we change that purpose, we should ask them,” commented Councilor Mike Morris at the study session. Councilor Marsh agrees, saying “I think we’ll take a measure to voters in the November Election and I think they’ll support the idea.” Mayor John Stromberg echoes the sentiment, saying “I have faith the voters will see the need for this and pass the measure. We need to keep our streets up.” Among the considerations would be to do the roads in sections at spending intervals of $2 to $3million dollars so as not to overwhelm the Department of Public Works or commuters. “If we do it that way we can stay on top of it and get it done. We’ll be busy but we can handle it,” said Public Works Director Mike Faught when asked if outside contractors would be used to repair streets. Currently, every major street in Ashland with the exception of one or two is due or overdue for repaving. Some are going to require more extensive repairs and rebuilding. “We have the opportunity to do this now. In looking at the Food and Beverage Tax, projections continue to rise for several years to come. Even with the surplus we currently have, it makes sense to divert this money to roads projects,” Kanner told the council as they pored over city street maps showing every road in need of something and several needing re-building. The roads plan is not currently on the agenda at upcoming council meetings, but it is expected to be coming up in the next few months. 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. 11, 2016 at 10:47 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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