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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 21, 2005 RVTD proposes transit tax to boost bus routes By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Rogue Valley Transportation District patrons could see new routes, new stops and more frequent stops under a proposal that would raise money through a tax on businesses. RVTD may form a mass transit district, which would allow it to charge businesses a payroll tax that would amount to less than $100 annually, General Manager Peter Jacobsen told the Medford City Council Thursday. The move would require a petition to the governor. Jacobsen said the district has stabilized after years of turmoil. "We’re ready to shift gears and start moving forward," said Jacobsen. Advertisement Jacobsen said the district is seeing a 6 to 10 percent increase in ridership annually and needs to address requests for additional services. "We’ve got too many customers," quipped Jacobsen. "We’re looking forward to finding some different ways to fund RVTD." Controversy and strife led to recall attempts of the RVTD board in 2002 and 2003 and the departure of the former general manager at the district, which provides bus service to Central Point, Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Ashland, Jacksonville and White City. Jacobsen was hired in September 2003, after which the district cut nine of 18 administrative staff positions, he said. "This place needed some help badly," Jacobsen said following the meeting. "The board and the then-general manager were not getting along. The finances were in a shambles." He said RVTD has a challenge in restoring public trust. He said part of the reason the district is looking at a business tax is because he doesn’t believe voters would approve a property tax given RVTD’s reputation. "There’s some history," he said. He said the district brought in Alan Hudson as finance manager, primarily because of his success with turning around the Rogue Valley Council of Governments’ financial situation. Michael Cavallaro, RVCOG director, said Hudson brought the agency out of the red and into the black. "We were consistently $200,000 behind in cash flow and now we have between $100,000 and $200,000 in positive cash flow," said Cavallaro. Jacobsen said at this time the district could not afford any changes or additions, in spite of the requests. "With our current money, we’re just about covering what we’re doing expense-wise," he said. He said the district serves 5,000 riders a day with 23 buses and a $15 million annual budget. The district has outgrown its headquarters, Jacobsen said. He said the once-rural property, at 3200 Crater Lake Ave., is now surrounded by housing. "At some point people aren’t going to want to wake up at 4 in the morning when we start our buses," said Jacobsen. RVTD wants to go to the public and get feedback, Jacobsen said, adding, "We’re going to start taking our show on the road." To provide feedback on RVTD service or comment on funding options such as a business tax, contact RVTD at 779-5821. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail RVTD proposes transit tax to boost bus routes ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s