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P/CLOUDY Temp: 48 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 6, 2002 Most tax levies in smaller towns fail By SANNE SPECHT for the Mail Tribune Despite consequences of discontinued or reduced police and fire services, only two of five taxing districts succeeded Tuesday in persuading voters to sign on for property tax increases. In the tightest levy race, Phoenix residents voted 49.19 to 46.96 percent in favor of Measure 15-36 to enhance police and fire protection. Phoenix Councilman Otto Caster said he is relieved that property owners looked past the constraints of the current economy and voted for the measure. "We went door-to-door and got a lot of positive response, but you never know," said Caster. "The way the economy is, it’s really kind of a surprise it passed. I’m sure we’ll find a way to let the people know we’re thankful this passed." The five-year local option levy will increase property taxes by 48 cents to $2.85 per $1,000 of assessed home value. Failure of the levy would have resulted in the termination of two fire-fighters and two police officers. In the Applegate Rural Fire District, voters approved a five-year option tax by 62.01 to 34.97 percent to allow the district to maintain services at current levels. The additional funds will allow Fire Chief Brett Fillis to continue his 10-year plan to replace and improve vehicles and equipment. The new property tax will cost district homeowners 85 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The new levy will not commence until the existing $1 per $1,000 levy expires in two years. Shady Cove residents voted down Measures 15-39 and 15-40 that were designed to help continue funding of Shady Cove’s police and fire services. The first was a five-year option tax for police services of 90 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The measure went down 59.12 percent to 37.64 percent. Mayor Tom Anderson said the levy was vital to maintaining qualified police officers. Currently, the city has an interim chief and only one full-time officer. Jackson County Fire District No. 4, which serves Shady Cove and Trail, also failed in its request for funds to make repairs and improvements to its fire station. Measure 15-40 requested an increase of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and was voted down 65.04 to 34.97 percent. Finally, Jacksonville residents voted down Measure 15-41, a five-year levy, by 69.78 to 34.97 percent. The most expensive levy at $2.80 per $1,000 of assessed value, the measure would have supported existing fire and emergency medical response services, added an additional firefighter and built a new fire hall. Designed to eventually remove the fire department from the general fund, the levy was opposed by local community members who may have posed as active fire department volunteers. According to Fire Chief Tracy Shaw, levy opponents were handing out fliers that misrepresented the facts of the levy. Sanne Specht is a free-lance writer living in Rogue River. Reach her at [email protected]. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S