Document text
County tweaks, passes budget Late requests precede vote on $218 million spending plan By DANI DODGE The Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a final $218 million budget, but not without considering some last-minute requests. Members of the Applegate-Ruch Citizens Advisory Committee asked the commissioners to put $21,400 toward helping them and other similar committees reach out to the public with seminars, staff support and newsletters. "The best way to have strong citizen involvement in planning is to have strong planning for citizen involvement," said Pat Gordon, a member of the committee. "This isn't just for the Applegate-Ruch CAC. It's a way to revitalize the CACs." Commissioners Sue Kupillas and Ric Holt (Commissioner Jack Walker was on vacation) didn't commit any money to the citizen involvement plan, but did say they would try to explore some of the ideas. "We'd like to take the proposal and ... see if we can't weave together something in response to your request," Kupillas said. New federal timber replacement funds, approved by Congress last year, boosted the county's budget by more than $6 million. The funds will continue for five more years. The county used the bulk of the extra money to pay off debts in retirement funds. Kupillas noted that getting a boost from federal funds this year made budgeting easier and harder at the same time. "It's more difficult in some ways because we have more requests," she said. "We had a lot of people line up and say you have more money and you should fund 'X' program to a greater extent." Kupillas said, though, the budget was still bare bones and simply tries to continue what the county is doing with a focus on doing it well. On Wednesday they did agree to buy a new $1.5 million computer system in the tax assessor's office over the next five years. They also decided not to give $4,500 to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, instead directing that money to "information, education and outreach to the Hispanic community." Commissioners said they expect the bulk of the money will go to Centro Hispano of Southern Oregon, an organization that provides referral and translation services for the Hispanic community. Manuela Marney, the executive director of the Hispanic Chamber did not show up at the meeting but called the Mail Tribune afterwards. She said she did everything the county asked and doesn't understand why they didn't give her the money as they have for the past two years. "What they are doing to us is very harmful," Marney said. "We are United States citizens and we are entitled to an equal share of the American dream. "They are being very unfair." Marney wasn't the only one denied funding who had a gripe Wednesday. Ken Westcott of the Southern Oregon Film and Video Association chastised commissioners for not giving his group $28,800 to develop classes for kids and promote Southern Oregon as a location for filming movies. "What amazes me is I don't think you do your paperwork," Westcott said. "Because if you did you you'd know (the film industry) brings money into the state." Holt - who pointed out he's had his actor's equity card since he was 8 - said he could sympathize with Westcott. But he told Westcott he should be asking the state for help, not the county. "Next year, you won't come here at budget time," Holt said. "'We will go to Salem at budget time." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.