THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 3
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2017
Business / Agriculture
City’s new fee ordinance
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PAGE 1
This fee replaces the
current sidewalk fee im-
posed on City Utility bills,
which Warner explained
would be set to zero until
the sunset clause expires
June 30, 2020.
The ordinance also
declares for an emergency,
so if passed the City could
begin collecting the fee as
of July 1, 2017.
A small handful of Citi-
zens were on hand at the
meeting to speak in op-
position of this ordinance.
Tom Muller addressed
Council. He began by
stating that he didn’t feel
the Citizens of Baker City
should have to pay these
fees.
Muller felt that these
fees were being imposed
due to lost revenue at the
911 center under the direc-
tion of Hope Lindsey, who
left the center earlier this
month.
Mayor Downing replied
to Mr. Muller’s concern
explaining that the 911
Center is a County run
entity and any loss of
revenue would impact the
County negatively not the
City.
Muller said in his opin-
ion, “You have already
decided.”
He went on to say, “This
is taxation without repre-
sentation. If you are truly
honest people, then let
the people of Baker City
decide at the ballot box.”
Ryc Reinks also ad-
dressed Council saying,
“The big thing I am wor-
ried about is you’re enact-
ing what you are calling
a fee but is in fact a tax to
subsidize an already tax
supported Police and Fire.
That’s over taxation for the
same entity. It’s unfortu-
nate you find yourself in
this position.”
He eluded to prior
Council’s and City Man-
agement’s “terrible deci-
sions” leading to where the
City is now with a budget
shortfall and said, “Now
you’re stuck with having to
put out the fire. I agree that
the easiest way to prevent
a lot of ill will would be to
turn it to the public, put it
up for a vote.”
Before leaving the po-
dium, he asked two ques-
tions, “One, what is the le-
gal foundation for creating
a tax without public input,
taking it to a vote? And
two double taxation on the
services already covered
by property taxes. Hope I
get answers tonight.”
Warner replied, “The
City Council does have
the authority to imple-
ment fees in Baker City;
they are the elected body
that does that. The Public
Safety Fee (ordinance)
specifically talks about
that the City Council
believes that all developed
property uses fire and
police protection. As far as
public taxation this is all
money that goes into the
general fund and I don’t
think double taxation ap-
plies.”
Reinks told Warner, “I
don’t think your answer
is accurate. I don’t think
it leaves you free from
liabilities as a body, the
reason being property
taxes pay for Police and
Fire. Now you are say-
ing this is general fund. It
doesn’t matter where you
put the money, it states in
the Ordinance what it’s
for, it’s for an entity that
exists on tax dollars at this
time. You are in fact tax-
ing us twice for the same
service.”
Reinks also told Coun-
cil, “My wife and I were
talking and felt if our
ambulance and fire trucks
and police cars go outside
the City Limits, maybe we
should put a meter on them
like a taxi start to bill the
County.”
Finance Director Jeanie
Dexter pointed out a dif-
ference in a user fee vs.
property tax, in a user fee
the City cannot place a
lien against or foreclose on
property for failing to pay
whereas if property taxes
are not paid those options
become available.
Dexter noted several
different ways the general
fund is funded. “It’s fines
and forfeitures from the
Police, ambulance fees,
franchise fees, permits
among other things, not
just property taxes. Even
though property taxes do
account for ¾ of the fund-
ing,” she said.
Dexter also provided
information about other
Oregon Cities that were
implementing fees includ-
ing some similar to the
Public Safety Utility fee.
Councilor Nilsson ex-
pressed concerns he was
now having over imple-
menting of the fee and
stated he had been review-
ing meeting minutes from
years prior.
Councilor Thomas
made light by suggest-
ing that policemen and
firemen be cut and said
that maybe we could just
ask the criminals to only
commit crimes Monday
through Friday from 8
a.m. - 5 p.m., and analyze
data to decide when most
fires occur and only staff
during those times but
quickly followed up with,
“It’s hard, not comfortable
(to implement a fee) but I
understand the need and
we can’t pick and choose
when Police and Fire
might have to shut their
doors.”
Councilor Joseph mo-
tioned for a first reading of
the Ordinance with a sec-
ond by Councilor Thomas.
Warner read the ordinance
aloud in its entirety.
Then Councilor Joseph
moved to accept the first
reading, seconded by
Councilor Nilsson.
All voted in favor fol-
lowed by Councilor Joseph
then moving for a second
reading that Councilor
Thomas seconded.
In order to hear a second
reading a unanimous vote
was need.
Councilor Andersen
opposed so there was no
second reading, that will
happen at the next Council
meeting.
Council did discuss the
possibility of taking the
matter to the public for a
vote and will explore that
option.
It takes time to get
an initiative together to
place a matter on a ballot.
Council agreed that maybe
for long term funding
that may be a direction to
pursue, however, the need
;is now and therefore the
fee is recommended for
immediate relief.
2015/2016 Annual Fi-
nancial Report
Kent Bailey, who was
the principal auditor for
the City was on hand to
address Council as to
the audit report. Dexter
noted that the audit was
severely delinquent due to
factors that included Bob
Seymour, who had been
responsible for the Cities
audit in previous years,
leaving the firm in charge
of the audit to changes in
utility billings requiring
more attention than had
been expected. Dexter
apologized and advised
that steps were being taken
to avoid the same situa-
tion again. In addressing
Council Bailey thanked
Councilors for the service
they were providing and
said “it’s a hard thing to
do, deciding whether or
not to impose fees. You’re
going to have a lot of hard
decisions coming up.”
He noted that PERS had
significantly impacted the
City and advised Council
that it was going to con-
tinue and get progressively
worse but he did offer hope
that the Legislature may
provide some reforms that
would ease the burden.
He told Council that with
new wastewater projects
being required that Council
may at some point, in the
not too distant future, look
at adding new fees to the
water bills or ask for voter
levies to cover a gap in
funding to complete those
projects.
Public Works saw several
projects that were facing
similar challenges. Bailey
noted that the City cur-
rently has a policy where
purchases over $2500 must
be approved by the City
Manager.
He noted several pur-
chases that just exceeded
that cap that had not been
pre-approved and suggest-
ed two things that might
alleviate the problem—the
first being that the limit for
pre-approved purchases be
moderately raised and the
second simply crack down
to prevent the problem
from happening.
Finance Director Jeanie
Dexter welcomes any
questions regarding the
audit.
City Manager/Director
Comments
City Manager Warner
suggested that Council
hold a special meeting to
further discuss the Public
Safety Utility Fee as well
as review a draft of the
proposed fee schedule.
After a brief discussion,
Council agreed that a spe-
cial meeting would be held
in June 6th at 7:00 p.m. in
Council chambers at City
Hall. Additional public
comment will be heard at
that meeting.
Council Comments
Councilor Thomas gave
one final reminder to citi-
zen’s that the Oregon Trail
Interpretive Center will
be celebrating their 25th
anniversary on May 25th
from 9-11 a.m.
He also noted that former
Governor Barbara Roberts,
who was in office when the
Interpretive Center opened
in 1992, would be on hand
for the celebration.
With nothing further,
Mayor Downing then
adjourned the meeting.
Forest Access for All Banquet
CONTINUED FROM
PAGE 1
George, who served
for a year in Afghanistan,
said, “Something we like
to do at our banquets is
recognize our veterans.
So, would our veterans
please stand,” which was
followed by applause.
George announced the
winner of the door prize,
a pair of binoculars,
awarded to guest Carmeli-
ta Holland.
Staff of the Sunridge
served guests dinner,
which included a dinner
salad (lettuce, red onion,
carrot, and dressing), the
choice of prime rib or hali-
but, baked potato, green
beans, and a dinner roll.
Pitchers of ice water
were provided at each
table, and guests had the
option of ordering other
drinks, including alcoholic
beverages.
George asked the guests
for their dinner critique,
and he received a positive
review and applause, fol-
lowed by more applause,
as he recognized the ef-
forts of the Sunridge’s chef
and serving crew. “We
appreciate all your hard
work...Thank you all,” he
said.
George introduced the
all-volunteer leadership of
FAFA, including President
Tork Ballard, “the rock of
our outfit,” Vice President
Chuck Chase, “also very
active with the Eastern
Oregon Mining Associa-
tion (EOMA),” Secretary
Wanda Ballard, Treasurer
Bobbie Danser, without
whom, “we wouldn’t
keep things squared with
out check book,” Public
Affairs Specialist John
Creighton (who was un-
able to attend), who “does
a great deal for us,” and
Web Designer Rob Brown-
ing.
George called the first
guest speaker, Palmer, up
to the podium.
Palmer emphasized
recognition for former
Baker County Sheriff
Terry Speelman, who was
present, and Palmer said,
“I think he’s well overdue
for some recognition, as
well...” which was fol-
lowed by applause.
Palmer, an Air Force
veteran, also emphasized
recognition for his wife
of thirty-three years,
Rosanne, who was present
(and who stood per his
request), and with obvious
emotion, he told the story
of meeting and marrying
her, which he said was
“...one of the best things
that’s ever happened to
me...I love you.”
Palmer said this was
the second time in fifteen
months he’d spoken
publicly, the other being
an hour-long interview
the previous Thursday,
for Nebraska-based Rural
Route Radio.
“I’ve been shying away
from the media, because
of some of the stuff that’s
happened... There’s some
media that we can trust...
But... Be careful what
you read, and what you
believe...” he said.
SEE FAFA BANQUET
PAGE 5
— Weekly Hay Report —
Friday, May 19, 2017 — Eastern Oregon
Prices trended generally steady in a limited test
compared to week ago prices. Most demand lays
with the retail/stable hay. According to some
producers, horse owners prefer lower sugar, higher
protein hay. Many producers are sold out for the
year, and are busy out in the fields preparing for
new crop.
Tons Price Range Wtd Avg
Alfalfa/Orchard Mix — Large Square Premium
700 130.00-130.00 130.00
USDA Market News Service—AMS.USDA.gov
— Cattle Market Report —
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Vale, Oregon
Cattle sold through the auction: 715
Steer Calves
300-400# Bulk 161.00-174.00 Top 176.00
400-500# Bulk 154.00-168.00 Top 170.00
500-600# Bulk 149.00-161.00 Top 163.50
Heifer Calves
300-400# Bulk 149.00-162.00 Top 167.00
400-500# Bulk 146.00-164.00 Top 174.00
500-600# Bulk 137.00-148.00 Top 149.00
Yearling Steers
600-700# Bulk 139.00-147.00 Top 149.00
700-800# Bulk 122.00-128.00 Top 131.00
800-900# Bulk 119.00-127.00 Top 128.00
900-1,000# Bulk N/A Top N/A
Yearling Heifers
600-700# Bulk 122.00-134.00 Top 139.00
700-800# Bulk 107.00-115.00 Top 116.00
800-900# Bulk 108.00-116.00 Top 117.00
900-1,000# Bulk 98.00-110.00 Top 113.00
Thin Shelly Cows 57.00 - 66.00
Butcher Cows 66.00 - 74.00
Butcher Bulls 72.00 - 85.00
Stock Cows Young N/A
Hfretts 79.00 - 102.00
Pairs Young - 1325.00-1525.00
ProducersLivestock.com
541-473-3136
— Log Price Report —
Prices are based on the majority of saw mills in
Northeastern Oregon and Central Idaho. The prices
listed below are a composite prices of various saw-
mills willing to visit with me about this topic.
Ponderosa Pine—small diameter class 8-11 inches
diameter class $250 per mbf. Only one sawmill was
willing to buy small diameter pine at this time.
Ponderosa Pine—medium diameter class 12-17
inches diameter class $300 to $350 per mbf
Ponderosa Pine-large diameter class 18 plus inches
diameter class $380 to $410 per mbf
The Pine prices are still approximately $40 per mbf
below average lumber/log market due to 2017 fire
salvage
Doug Fir & Western Larch—$380 to $420 per
mbf. Normal prices typically ranged between $425
to $475 per mbf.
White Fir-$300 per mbf. Normal prices typically
ranged between $340 to $360 per mbf.
Engelmann Spruce—$350 at one Idaho sawmill,
other sawmills including with White fir prices.
In general, the log prices still impacted from 2015
fire season and fire salvage that resulted. Sawmills
are starting to get log yard inventory in line with
sawmill production needs. With a new Administra-
tion as of 1/20/2017, a more normal economic envi-
ronment should result and hopefully a more healthy
housing situation will result in a better climate for
Northeast Oregon Sawmill and private forest land-
owners.
Courtesy of Arvid Andersen,
Andersen Forestry Consulting
— Precious Metals Report —
Price per ounce, USD
Gold: $1,257.10
Silver: $17.20
Platinum: $949.49
Palladium: $771.75
Bloomberg.com
— Ag Commodities —
Corn: $370.50/bu/USD
Wheat: $432.00/bu/USD
Soybeans: $952.50/bu/USD
Oats: $247.00 bu/USD
Rough Rice: $11.06/cwt/USD
Canola: $524.40 CAD/mwt
Live Cattle: $121.70//lb./USD
Feeder Cattle: $152.40/lb./USD
Lean Hogs: $80.23/lb./USD
Bloomberg.com