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CLEAR Temp: 90 °F Wind: NW at 10 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 30, 2003 Meals tax pitch finds little support By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune SHADY COVE — A proposed 2 percent sales tax on prepared food and alcoholic beverages is getting a thumbs down from Shady Cove businesses and their patrons. The tax, proposed by the Shady Cove Taxpayers Association — a citizens group — is being offered as an alternative to a $100 public safety surcharge proposed by city staff. The group’s proposal was presented to the 17 businesses in Shady Cove that would be affected by the tax because, according to City Administrator Elise Smurzynski, something has to be done to find $400,000 to finance the police department before current funding expires in July 2004. Smurzynski says without more money, the police force will revert from a chief, three officers and a part-time clerk to a chief and one officer. Advertisement Mary Gardner, owner of the town’s Taco Bell, said she fears the tax will ruin businesses and harm local customers. Gardner put out a petition and quickly garnered 173 signatures stating the food and beverage tax idea is a bad one. "It would kill us," she said. "Our customers would take their business elsewhere." In fact, 97 percent of those signing the petition said they would do business elsewhere if the proposed tax was implemented. Gardner said the town has a short tourist season and is mainly supported by rafters, many of whom live in the Rogue Valley. She says those visitors can easily buy their food and beverages in White City, Eagle Point or Medford, instead of Shady Cove. "They would just pick up their food and beer on the way into town if it were more expensive to buy it here." Additionally, Gardner said many Shady Cove residents live on a fixed income or minimum-wage jobs. She said the tax would put an unfair burden on local wallets. Smurzynski says the city has been taking considerable heat on the proposal and wants the record clear that the tax proposal was not the city’s idea. Smurzynski says the council had asked the community for input and ideas on ways to fund the police budget after the police levy was defeated in November. She said the only response was from the taxpayer’s association. Daryl Hawkins represented the Shady Cove Taxpayers Association at last month’s City Council meeting, but says she’s not sure she’d even support the tax. "I wouldn’t say that I personally favor it," Hawkins said. "It was one of several suggestions. We’ve also suggested cutting hours of staff at City Hall." Smurzynski says all responses to the city so far have opposed the tax proposal. She also agrees with Gardner’s concerns about the burden a sales tax might place on local business. "Our business community is so frail. It’s seasonal and cyclical," she said. Gardner says the community supports the police department, they just don’t want to follow the lead of Ashland, which has had a 5 percent meals tax in place since 1993. "We have people here who wouldn’t think of going to Ashland because of their sales tax," she said. Public safety funding will be an agenda item for the council’s Aug. 7 study session at 1 p.m., and the 6:30 p.m. council meeting that day at City Hall. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times