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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 20, 2006 City urged to reject MURA proposal By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County commissioners on Wednesday urged the city of Medford to reject a proposal to extend the life of the city's downtown urban renewal district. Commissioners said the county faces financial uncertainty and couldn't support the diversion of property tax revenue to the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. "There would be a significant amount of money lost for quite a while," said Commissioner Dave Gilmour. Commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation at their Wednesday meeting. Gilmour estimated that a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in south Medford would generate $60,000 in new taxes annually, enough to pay for a new sheriff's deputy. MURA fostered development of the adjacent South Gateway Center and, should its life be extended, would get new tax revenues that a Wal-Mart there would generate. Advertisement MURA's budget is drawn from new tax revenue generated as properties within its taxing district increase in assessed value — new revenue that otherwise would go to other taxing districts, including Jackson County, Rogue Valley Transit District, Rogue Community College, Vector Control, Jackson County Educational Services District and the Medford School District. Walker estimated that revenues diverted from the county to MURA could amount to $600,000 each year. Commissioners said the county could use that revenue to offset some of the potential $24 million loss in annual federal timber subsidies after 2007. Loss of that federal subsidy could force the closure of libraries or end sheriff's patrols. MURA would use the money to help pay for a portion of Middleford Com mons, a multiblock urban redevelopment project that would include Lithia Motors' new corporate headquarters. John Michaels, former Medford city councilman, asked commissioners to block extending MURA's life. Michaels said other efforts to get city officials to reject the proposal have failed so far. "It's like standing in front of a freight train," he said. The Medford City Council will consider extending MURA's life until 2025 at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 411 W. Eighth St., Medford. Gilmour told Michaels that the county doesn't have the authority to block the MURA proposal. All the county can do is urge the City Council not to support the proposal. "We don't have veto power at all," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] . 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 online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement