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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 27, 2006 City defers gas-tax decision By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune ROGUE RIVER — City Council members looked over the crowd attending Thursday night’s meeting and decided not to proceed with enacting a city gas tax ordinance. The agenda listed a first reading of the proposed ordinance, which would add approximately three cents a gallon to pumps at the city’s two gas stations. But Councilman Dick Handbury quickly made a motion to table the item for further discussion at a later date. "I’m uncomfortable with moving forward at this time," said Handbury, who then asked that the matter be moved to a city workshop. About 25 people attending the meeting, including representatives from the local Shell gas station. Eight had signed up to speak. The gas tax — which would generate an estimated $75,000 annually — had been proposed because other infrastructure revenue streams were drying up or inadequate to fund the city’s rapidly deteriorating streets, said City Administrator Mark Reagles. Dennis Workman, owner of the Rogue River Shell Station, opposes the gas tax. In local press accounts, Workman has stated he fears his customers will simply go to Central Point, Medford or Grants Pass to buy gas. Holding up a thick folder of paperwork, Reagles said the matter had been under discussion for nearly a year — with very little interest from the public and even less attendance at the public meetings, he added. Advertisement State gas tax funds for 2005 amounted to only $95,000, said Reagles. It cost the city $85,000 to pave half a block on Broadway Street, he said. Reagles said most of the city streets had been paved 20 to 25 years ago, and much of the repaving had been paid for by county funds. Many of the city’s major streets, including East and West Evans, Main and Pine, need to be repaved within the next two years or face major reconstruction, which would be far more costly, Reagles said. Council members urged the crowd to attend the workshop and said they would be open to suggestions from those attending. "We’re open to listening to any of your ideas," said Councilwoman Jo Anne Mead. Financial Officer Hope Warren said the City Council and staff are seeking a way to spread the financial burden onto all users, not simply residents within the city limits. Rogue River demographics demonstrate a very high population of elderly residents who live on fixed incomes, many of whom no longer drive, she said. "We considered adding a tax to the water bills," Warren said. "But it doesn’t seem fair to place the whole burden of raising $75,000 each year on the backs of less than 2,000 residents when there are over 14,000 regular users on our streets." Warren said 12 other Oregon cities have gas tax ordinances in place, including cities as small as Stanfield, with a population of 1,980, and as large as Eugene, which has a population 144,640. Tillamook’s ordinance has been in place since 1982, she said. The rates range from one to three cents a gallon, she added. The gas tax workshop is currently scheduled for 7 p.m. at the earliest convenient Thursday in February. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement