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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 4, 2006 MURA vote expected, despite dispute By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Three city residents have asked the Medford City Council to postpone a final vote on a proposal to extend the life of its downtown urban renewal agency, saying the vote could threaten an existing levy. "They ought to slam the brakes on this today," said Lee Morris, who along with John Pearson and Bob Pearson sent letters and other information to the council Wednesday. The trio maintains that approving a 12-year extension of the urban renewal district would invalidate an existing levy that funds urban renewal projects. The documents they provided the city included a May 1 letter from Greg Kramer of the Oregon Department of Revenue that stated, "There is some uncertainty about whether or not the Medford Urban Renewal Agency could continue imposing the special levy after making this substantial amendment to their plan." Kramer also wrote that he has asked for clarification from the state attorney general's office. At least one city official, however, says there is no basis to the fear. "They're incorrect," said City Councilman Jason Anderson. "Our bond experts have told us this is not the case." The City Council is scheduled to vote on a second reading of the ordinance extending MURA's life at noon today in Council Chambers at City Hall. The council voted 6-2 for the extension on April 20, but a second reading is required when there is one or more dissenting votes on an ordinance. The amendment to MURA's plan would extend the agency's life by 12 years, to 2025. It is intended to provide funding for the public portion of the Middleford Commons redevelopment project in downtown. The $169 million, multi-block urban redevelopment project would include headquarters buildings for Lithia Motors Inc. — which would be paid for by the company — and a variety of publicly funded infrastructure improvements, including utilities, sidewalks, roads and a park. The project would be built in an area bounded by Central and Riverside avenues and Jackson and Sixth streets. MURA has asked for an extension on its remaining seven years in order to pay back bonds for the partnership project. The extension would mean MURA would receive a portion of taxes that would otherwise revert to other taxing districts in the area. Medford taxpayers currently pay 44 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to MURA because of a special levy created after 1997. That levy expires in 2013. The funding for the additional 12 years would come from new property taxes collected as the result of improvements in the district. Opponents to the Middleford plan have questioned why public funds would be spent on a project that involves private businesses and say it's unfair to other taxing districts. Supporters say improving the downtown will benefit the entire community and ultimately produce much more tax revenue. Anderson says the city has checked out the claims that the change would jeopardize the MURA levy. "We've been told by our bond attorneys in Portland that the only kinds of plan amendments that jeopardize special levy are those that increase the plan area by more than 1 percent or increase your maximum indebtedness," said Anderson. "Since our amendment has done neither, we are not jeopardizing our special levy." Anderson said he wasn't speaking for the entire council, but didn't see any reason to delay the vote. "At this time I feel comfortable going forward with the second reading," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s 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 Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy