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SUNNY Temp: 60 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, August 28, 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 August 12, 2003 Gloria Rodgers stares at her bill for Rogue Valley Transportation District services in disbelief. The rural area where she lives does not receive services, and her situation is not covered by recent changes in state law. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Money for nothing Some folks continue to be charged for RVTD services, despite change in state law By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT — A new law that allows 340 residents within the city limits to stop paying an unfair tax won’t be of much help to Gloria Rodgers. The 78-year-old woman lives just outside the boundaries of Eagle Point and will have to continue to pay taxes to Rogue Valley Transportation District, even though her community doesn’t receive bus service. "I don’t understand why a select few can pull out and the rest not," she said. Rodgers wanted to sign a city petition that would let her stop paying a small tax that goes toward RVTD. Advertisement "I called City Hall and they told me I couldn’t sign it because I live outside the city limits," she said. Rodgers, who pays $19.26 annually to RVTD, is referring to recent legislation that will allow some residents in Eagle Point to stop paying the 17 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation toward the transportation district, which doesn’t provide bus service to this community. "I wouldn’t mind paying it if we got the service," she said. Affected residents, scattered throughout the city but primarily near the Eagle Point Golf Course, could not vote on elections for RVTD candidates. Residents in county areas can, however. The problem began after Eagle Point opted out of RVTD in 1975, but then expanded its boundaries to include new properties. However, city officials failed to file the appropriate forms to exclude these properties from RVTD taxes. County Assessor Dan Ross said that when voters in Jackson County decided to join the RVTD, both Eagle Point and Central Point opted out. However, Central Point eventually chose to join the district, while Eagle Point stayed out. Properties in unincorporated areas around Eagle Point must continue to pay the taxes, he said. Rodgers’ son, Joe, said it’s unfair that homeowners near the golf course won’t have to pay, but his mother will. "People farther out in Eagle Point are getting out of this, but we’re being excluded," he said. "This is discrimination." Another resident, Erleen DeCarlisle, said, "I don’t like paying for something that I don’t benefit from." This 76-year-old woman, who lives off Highway 62, said, "If I needed a bus I would be upset about it." A 25-year resident of this area, DeCarlisle doesn’t remember if she voted for the transportation district. "Maybe I did thinking it would get out here sooner," she said. Although residents of Eagle Point don’t pay for RVTD, DeCarlisle said it would be a valuable service for the community. "I do think they should run out to Eagle Point, even if it is just once or twice a day," she said. But she also added, " I just don’t know how many people in Eagle Point would be using it." RVTD officials say the $8,000 collected annually from Eagle Point residents doesn’t justify the expense of running a bus service to that community. Although the city initially thought it might have to get local residents to sign a petition and submit it to the county, assessor Ross said the process might even be easier. "It says the governing body of the city should approve this," he said. "I’m not even sure the city has to get the people involved." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, 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