Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2005 Surcharge lawsuit stalls Jacksonville fire upgrades By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune JACKSONVILLE — City leaders have decided to temporarily shelve building plans for a new fire department and purchase of a ladder truck in the face of legal challenges to its public safety surcharge. The city also will delay hiring three additional firefighters until November, the council decided Tuesday. "The sad part is, if these (plaintiffs) hadn’t done this, we’d be able to move forward," Councilman Dick Ames said Wednesday. Ten Jacksonville residents continue to challenge what they say is an illegal property tax enacted by the city in June 2003. Attorney Karen Williams represented the plaintiffs in Oregon Tax Court, where the case ended in a split decision. Williams filed an appeal with the Oregon Supreme Court on her clients’ behalf in July. In order to enact an emergency public safety levy passed by voters in November 2004, the city has stopped collecting surcharge fees and is holding untouched $430,000 in previously collected fees until the court battles are resolved. Until then, public safety operating funds will come from the $230,000 annual levy, said City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen. Advertisement Despite holding off on other plans, the city will hire a fire department operations chief this week, said Ames, and three new interns by Sept. 13. Former City Councilman Jerry Mathern approved the $15-a-month surcharge while in office. Mathern said the city’s costs to defend against the lawsuit have exceeded $30,000. In an open letter to the council, Mathern chastised the plaintiffs. "All you are doing is making the attorneys richer. If you have any compassion for our little city, please drop the subject," wrote Mathern. Mathern said residents unable to afford the surcharge were allowed to pay a reduced rate or no fee at all. But with a tax levy, to be enacted in November, anyone with a home valued at more than $169,811 will pay more per year than they would have under the surcharge. Williams said some of her clients contacted her about Mathern’s letter. They respect Mathern’s right to his opinion, but are holding to their position that the surcharge is an unfair tax, she said. The plaintiffs believe the public should be allowed to vote on these matters, and not be taxed without proper representation, she said. "A voter-approved levy provides for services," said Williams. "But not big reserves or money for a big new fire station." Voters approved the levy, which allows for much of what the city says it needs, she added. If the city needs to fund new construction, it can ask for another levy. "If the majority want these things, then they should be able to pass it," Williams said. Mathern said he has had no response from the plaintiffs. "I got zero response," said Mathern. "But I wasn’t really expecting any." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail Surcharge lawsuit stalls Jacksonville fire upgrades ">[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 Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s