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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 12, 2006 RVTD will push for a 2008 payroll tax By Damian Mann Mail Tribune To head off more cuts in bus service, Rogue Valley Transportation District plans to ask voters to approve a payroll tax as early as November 2008. The RVTD board agreed at a special meeting Thursday night that putting the tax on this year's November general election ballot is too soon because RVTD needs more time to explain to voters about the tax measure and what it plans to do with the money. "No matter how good a chance we think we have, it is still a chance," said Ed Chapman, RVTD board chairman. He said he would have personally liked to have put the matter to voters this general election, but he said it would be risky because there isn't much time to inform voters. Starting July 1, RVTD doubled fares to $2 and eliminated Route 5 in Ashland. Route 4 in Medford that serves Rogue Valley Medical Center is scheduled to end in September after a $65,000 emergency grant runs out. The money came from the Rogue Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, and allowed the route to continue operating beyond its original July end date. Advertisement The MPO is considering paying to keep the route running through June when the current fiscal year ends. RVTD made the cuts to deal with a $1.2 million shortfall in its 2006-07 budget. "It was heart-wrenching decision for the whole board," said Chapman, who has been with RVTD for 24 years. "It was the most difficult decision the board has ever made." Earlier, RVTD had been looking at a tax proposal on this year's ballot of .003 cents per $1,000 in payroll that would generate $6.5 million, preventing future cutbacks and also increasing service. On a salary of $30,000, employers would pay an extra $90 a year under the proposal. Rep. Peter Buckley, an Ashland Democrat in the state House who has been looking for ways to avoid cutting the bus routes, said RVTD made a good decision to wait on the tax proposal. "They need to establish their credibility," he said. Community leaders have criticized RVTD over the transparency of its finances, and have also said it hasn't prepared an adequate business plan or long-range plan. "They need the time to establish what the plans and vision of the district are for the future," said Buckley. To get a better idea of what RVTD needs, Buckley said he will be looking for a community member with experience as a business consultant to help define RVTD's future plans. RVTD will hold a meeting from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave., to gauge what local citizens want from their bus service. "We need to do our best to get everybody on our side," said Peter Jacobson, RVTD general manager. Last year, RVTD had 1.2 million riders. Jacobson said he had expected the rider count to go up by up to 10 percent. Because of fare increases, he says ridership could instead drop by 20 percent. "We know it's affecting people," said Jacobson. "We know it's shaking up someone's life." Valley Lift, a service that picks up the disabled and elderly, had 96,000 riders last year, and it could also see a drop in ridership of up to 20 percent, Jacobson said. Anecdotal reports indicate that ridership has already dropped since July 1, although Jacobson isn't sure yet by how much. Customers who are eligible for Valley Lift still can ride on regular buses for free. Because Valley Lift prices also doubled (from $2 to $4), Jacobson said he's noticed that some Valley Lift customers have switched over to the bus service. Despite the setbacks, Chapman said he would like to continue to work on creating a top-notch transportation system in the valley that eventually could include a commuter train. "I would like to see the transportation system so good that people say 'Why should I drive?' " he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . 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