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RVTD looks at payroll tax levy come November By JILL BRISKEY In November, residents may be asked to approve a payroll tax that would expand public transportation in the Rogue Valley. Sherrin Coleman, general manager of the Rogue Valley Transportation District, said there are still many details to review before finalizing the proposal. "The board is considering a funding measure on the November ballot, but a decision has not been made," she said. "We do need something that would increase our service." The proposed tax would be used to pay for night and Saturday bus service within the transit district. Currently, service shuts off by 7 p.m. and isn't offered on weekends. RVTD covers more than 158 square miles in Jackson County, and serves Medford, Ashland, Central Point, Jacksonville, Talent, Phoenix and White City. More than 800,000 trips were reported in 2001, and Coleman anticipates that RVTD will conduct more than 1 million this year. Bus driver Brad Beach, who began working for RVTD in 1997, said at times people are forced to stand because there's no seating left on the bus. "In September, when we start with Bear Creek, it's going to be insane," Beach said. "There's an amazing amount of people riding the bus." The tax proposal that would accommodate the region's growing use of public transportation takes the form of a transit excise tax. Coleman said the proposed tax is three-tenths of 1 percent of employers' gross payroll. That works out to be less than half a cent per dollar that employers spend on payroll, Coleman added. "I'm sensitive to anything that says 'tax' as a citizen," Coleman said. "But we want to give people an option that they can use." It's unclear how much the proposed tax would generate at this early date, Coleman added. Voters in the past have been unsupportive of RVTD's proposed taxes. During the 1990s, eight consecutive property tax levies - proposed to fund the district - failed. Today, Coleman said the district is funded through a variety of federal and state funds, and money from Ashland, Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College. Approximately $1.4 million is generated from an existing property tax levy, Coleman added. Community Health Center Director Peg Crowley said she whole-heartedly supports increasing public transit service - but not if it comes on the backs of local businesses. "The margins of profitability are so marginal," Crowley said. "It's hard enough for businesses to survive and thrive without taxing them and taxing them and taxing them." Patti Proctor, executive director of Medford's senior center, said increasing public transportation is vital for elderly residents who are no longer able to drive. She estimates that 21 percent of Jackson County's population is over the age of 60. "I know it would definitely help," she said. "I feel our valley has a very limited transportation system. I've been told many, many times (by seniors) there should be service at night and on weekends." A handful of large local employers declined comment on the proposed tax, saying it's too early to form an opinion. Coleman said RVTD's board isn't expected to reach a decision until May or June. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.