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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2016)
10A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2016 PERS: Astoria has taken a conservative approach to challenge Continued from Page 1A Higher rates The higher rates are inlu- enced by several factors. The state Supreme Court last year struck down reforms approved by the Legislature in 2013 to help contain pub- lic worker retirement costs. The court ruled that cost-of- living adjustments workers had earned before the reform law went into effect are a con- tractual right that could not be taken away. Another factor is that the pension system’s investment earnings have fallen short of the 7.75 percent assumed annual rate of return. “We all should be will- ing to consider creative and responsible ideas that are likely to withstand legal challenge and would help us reduce and manage this unfunded liability,” Gov. Kate Brown said in a statement. “Paying it down won’t be easy, but I will continue to work with the PERS Board, (Oregon Investment Coun- cil), as well as the Legislature to fund a fair, responsible, and affordable retirement system for our teachers, ireighters, law enforcement, and other critical service providers, and for taxpayers and employers throughout Oregon.” Here is an overview of how the higher rates might play out in Clatsop County: Astoria The city has taken a con- servative approach to the pen- sion challenge, budgeting as if the lower employer con- tribution rates promised by pension reform would fail to materialize. So the city was not as vulnerable when the Supreme Court struck the reforms down. The City Council also left some cushion in the city’s $37.7 million budget in antic- ipation that contribution rates would rise. Based on wages for city workers last spring, the city projected an esti- mated $150,000 impact to the general fund, a calculation that might have to be revised upward now that the actual rates have been posted. For the city’s longest-serv- ing workers, the contribution rate will increase from 20.27 percent to 24.66 percent. For workers hired after August 2003, the rate will rise from 13.07 percent to 15.79 percent. And for police and ireighters, the rate will climb from 17.18 percent to 20.56 percent. “I think we’ll manage through it,” Susan Brooks, the city’s inance director, said. “But, obviously, the continu- ing rise of PERS rates is con- cerning for the long haul.” The city’s budget commit- tee and City Council will have to deal with the higher contri- bution rates next spring when drafting the budget for the next iscal year, which begins in July. While the city can likely absorb the higher rates ini- tially, if similar rate hikes fol- low over several years, the impact could force trade-offs in public services or higher fees on taxpayers. “Obviously, if the trend continues at that rate, what it means is prioritizing how we are going to spend the money coming in,” Brooks said. — Derrick DePledge Warrenton In Warrenton, the con- tribution rate for the oldest workers will spike from 17.56 to 22.49 percent. The rate for workers hired after 2003 will increase from 10.36 to 13.42 percent, and the rate for police and ire will rise from 14.47 to 18.19 percent. “We knew the increases were coming, so it is not a surprise,” Finance Director April Clark said in an email. “It will impact our budget, and we will have to take that into consideration when we start putting together next year’s budget and as we pre- pare for upcoming union negotiations.” The city did not set aside money for the rate increases, she said. This year’s $32.3 mil- PERS CATEGORIES The Public Employees Re- tirement System has dif- ferent benefit components for government workers depending on when they were hired. The govern- ment contribution rate toward pensions is higher for the longest-serving workers. *Tier I: Workers hired before January 1996 *Tier 2: Workers hired between January 1996 and August 2003 *Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan: Workers hired after August 2003 lion budget includes about $677,000 in retirement costs. — Erick Bengel Moore: 4,000 Elvis records are in his collection Continued from Page 1A “That’s why I have to work — to pay rent on stuff I don’t have here yet,” he said. “My goal is to sell just as many of these records as I can.” Should one be inclined to ask, what are some of the trea- sures to be found in this multi- level LP spaceship? “I’ve got the Beatles’ ‘Yes- terday and Today’ — a mint one is $35,000,” he said. “Not here, it rains in this building. The one I’ve got is about $700 or $800. The grandchildren are going to have to be very hun- gry irst.” “I got a hug from a little old lady because I had Serendip- ity Singers,” he said. “You’re not going to go to the store to buy Serendipity Singers on anything.” If we asked you for “The Eggplant that Ate Chicago” would you have it? “I could produce that too,” R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian Richard Moore sheds his inner Elvis and offers LPs, tapes and household items at his Gearhart warehouse. Moore said. “You have to tickle everybody.” It’s not just LPs in the enterprise, described on one of his creatively designed sales cards as “Collectable Recy- cled Antique Products,” a rubric that includes golf club hats, electronics, shoes, picture frames and kitchen electronics. “I’ve got many thousands of eight-tracks,” Moore said. “Most of them are anything you want to give me. The only time I sell a big bunch is when somebody’s got a vin- tage car they’re going to keep original.” Moore owns about 4,000 Elvis records but, he admitted, “They’re not really that valu- able because there are umpteen thousand of them out there.” As for his audience, they’re getting younger every day. Five-year-olds ask for their favorite Elvis tunes. “I sell more Johnny Cash to the 16-year-olds than I do to the old farts,” he added. Moore will be hosting a yard sale from Oct. 15-31 — with a special guest, “the aya- tollah of rock-and-rollah.” — R.J. Marx Clatsop County Clatsop County commis- sioners built an anticipated pension increase into the county’s budget. For the county’s oldest workers, the rate will increase from 12.13 percent to 16.28 percent. The rate for work- ers hired after 2003 rose from 4.95 percent to 7.59 percent. The police and ire payroll jumped from 9.06 percent to 12.36 percent. “We had an increase built into the budget,” County Manager Cameron Moore said. “(The rates) are little bit more than we anticipated. We have to take a detailed look at how this may affect us, and it may not.” It is too early to say how the increase will impact the budget, Moore said. One option to offset the costs is to dip into some conditional funds that are stored in the budget. The new rates are not any- thing the county is alarmed about, Moore said. “We are in pretty good shape inancially right now,” he said. “The rates that we’ve seen, we should be able to accommodate.” — Kyle Spurr Schools Local school districts fore- casted for an increase in pen- sion obligations. But school administrators face an uncer- tain future with pension costs expected to continue rising into the 2020s, and funding levels for schools unsure. Warrenton-Hammond, Seaside, Knappa and Jew- ell school districts all face 3 to 5 percent increases in pen- sion obligations in the coming biennium. “We budgeted (a) 4.5 per- cent increase, so it really wasn’t a surprise,” said Mike Moha, business manager for the Warrenton-Hammond School District. “Knowing it’s there and not being surprised, that lessens the hurt when it comes up,” he said. A bigger issue is what will happen as employers’ pen- sion obligations continue increasing in subsequent bud- get years. Knappa’s Business Manager Nikki Fowler said rates are expected to keep going up through 2023. Warrenton-Hammond, Seaside and Astoria all took out bonds in the 2000s to help cover future pension obligations. Astoria timed its bond- ing right and ended up with some of the most modest employer contribution rates of any agency. This bien- nium, the district only had to contribute about one-half of a percent of employee pen- sion costs. That increases next biennium to 3.18 percent for the longest-serving employ- ees, while contributions for more recent hires will go down slightly to 0.43 percent. But Astoria Superinten- dent Craig Hoppes is still hesitant to answer whether his district can handle all the increases. “It’s hard to say, because I don’t know how much money we’re going to get from the state,” he said of all the competing priori- ties for limited dollars in the state’s general fund. — Edward Stratton Pamplin Media Group Bud Pierce talks during a debate with Gov. Kate Brown at the City Club of Portland. Laura Gunderson, of The Orego- nian, served as moderator. This was the second of five debates between the two candidates. The next one is Thursday. Debate: Third debate is this Thursday in Eugene Continued from Page 1A The candidates faced each other at downtown Portland’s Sentinel Hotel, where Brown found a sympathetic audi- ence in a standing-room-only venue. The debate was a role reversal since the irst guber- natorial debate Sept. 25 in Bend, where Pierce draws support from Eastern Ore- gon’s more conservative political climate. This time, Pierce drew boos from the Portland-based crowd when he answered questions about gun control, violence against women and equal pay. poor women who don’t have a place to turn.” Measure 97 The debate also served as a de facto mouthpiece for another high-dollar campaign raging in Oregon: The battle over Measure 97, a corporate sales tax proposal advanced by a coalition of unions and community groups. If passed, the tax proposal would repre- sent the largest tax increase in the state’s history. The measure, which pro- poses taxing “C” corpora- tions on Oregon sales exceed- ing $25 million, is expected to raise $3 billion a year. Asked what the tax’s laws were, Brown talked about how important it is that voters pass the measure, sidestep- ping the question entirely. “The most important thing we can do is pass ballot Mea- sure 97,” Brown said. “Ore- gon needs adequate and sta- ble revenue for keeping state services like early child- hood education, CTE (career and technical education) and STEAM (science, technol- ogy, engineering and math), and removing barriers for children to attend universities and community colleges.” “There are no other viable options,” she added. Pierce said the measure is a poor attempt at tax reform, and he said he is concerned the revenue will be used to address the Public Employ- ees Retirement system’s $21 billion unfunded liabil- ity, rather than reforming the system. “If Measure 97 passes, we have to make sure that we don’t simply pour lots of money into an unfunded PERS system so the money is consumed by that, and we don’t come back ive years later with the same kind of challenges,” Pierce said. Friday was the second of ive debates between the two candidates. The third debate is scheduled for Thursday in Eugene. Empowering women Moderator Laura Gunder- son of The Oregonian asked a city club member’s question about what the candidates would do to improve the lot of women. A report last week by the Women’s Foundation of Oregon found that Oregon women are more likely to be victims of sexual assault than the national average and con- tinue to be victims of domes- tic violence. Pierce said policies should empower women with access to education and good jobs. “A woman that has great education and training and a great job is not susceptible to this kind of abuse by men,” Pierce said. The comment drew a cre- scendo of boos from the crowd, and Brown turned and covered her mouth in a dis- play of shock. “I’m honestly not sure where to start,” Brown said in her rebuttal. “I grew up in a mid- dle-class family. I went to law school,” Brown said. “I know what it feels like to be paid less, substan- tially less, than the male law- yer in the ofice next to me. This is not just about power. It’s about making sure that people aren’t discriminated against because of their gen- der, because of their race and because of their sexual orientation.” Pierce later clariied that he meant that women who are well-educated and have more resources are less likely to be victims of domestic violence. “Powerful women have access to lawyers and courts,” Pierce said. “Women who are most vulnerable are Coming October 2016 Assistance League the Columbia Pacif of ic PROGRAM OVERV IEW Operation School Bell: OSB is the signature program of Assistan League; providing new clothes for children ce grades K-12. The in need, schools identify the students and we supply 2 pairs of pants, 2 shirts, sweatshirt, jacket, underwear, socks and shoes to each child! Last year we helped clothe over 600 kids! Wish you could see their smiling faces! Assistance Leagu e of the Columbia Pacifi c P.O. Box 596 Astoria, Cinderella’s Closet: Assistance League of over 280 fancy dresses! the Columbia Pacific owns During Homecoming Prom season we and set up a boutique and the school girls come “shopping” for somethin high to the ‘ball’. We hope g to wear to make them all feel like princesses! Athletic Particip ation Scholarships: This program provides funds for sports fees appropriate gear; and giving students an opportunity to become involved in sports. This in turn allows fostering friendsh ips and building confiden children to receive all the benefits of being part of a ce. The goal is to team, promote the desire to stay in school. Duffle Bags: The Duffle Bag Program ensures that every system is given a Clatsop County child being duffle placed into the Foster toiletries. This offers bag filled with comfort items such Care as pjs, a blanket, the child a bit of a stuffed animal, comfort in an uncertai a book and n time in their lives. FUNDRAISING • Direct Mail Campaig n SEPTEMBER: Look in your mail – You might have a flyer waiting for you. • Home & Chef Tour OCTOBER: Showcasi ng outstanding homes County & chefs througho ut Clatsop • Fabulous Fun Night MARCH 5, 2016, Please join us for a tremendous night our local children. as we celebrate Save the Date & Look for Details • Golf Ball Drop May 7, 2016: A Fun Event for all ages at Astoria Golf & Country Club. OR 97103 Mission Statem ent: Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific is a non-profit organization whose volunteer efforts raise funds to assist children in our Clatsop County Communities. Vision: To be an effective resource in the community respondi ng to services, delivery gaps and emerging needs through volunteer efforts and collabora tive partnerships. Values: • Commitment • Leadership • Ethics • Accountability • Respect CONTACT INFORM ATION President: Jane Cartwrigh t jjjkcart@msn.com Membership: Shelby Mogenson shelbym@charter.ne t Web Site: www.assistancelea guecp.com SPONSORED BY: Autio Company GIVING BACK 2015-16 • 5 We are proud to present the 2nd annual edition of Giving Back Giving Back is designed to give our community nonprofits and corporations that support them a platform for exposing their mission and their fundraising needs to the business community. Giving Back is a resource designed to offer companies and individuals a wealth of information to assist them in their charitable giving plans. We’ve dedicated a full page to each nonprofit detailing their mission statements, goals, service ar ea, board members, events and giving/volunteering opportunities plus a full page to their sponsor. Thank you to our generous business community for all that you do to support our local nonprofit organizations To reserve you r spa ce con ta ct: Betty Sm ith A dvertisin g Director Lisa Ca don a u - A storia 503-325-3211 Ext. 238 • 503-791-7307 Cell lca don a u @ da ilya storia n .com bsm ith@ da ilya storia n .com Holly La rk in s Bra n dy Stew a rt - Sea side a n d Ca n n on Bea ch 503-325-3211 Ext. 227 • 503-791-2779 Cell hla rk in s@ da ilya storia n .com 503-738-5561 • 503-791-7769 Cell bstew a rt@ da ilya storia n .com A n n a Sta m per A n drew Ren w ick - Lon g Bea ch 503-325-3211, Ext. 229 • 703-919-5584 Cell a sta m per@ da ilya storia n .com 360-642-6703, Ext. 229 • 503-791-2780 Cell a ren w ick @ chin ook observer.com 503-325-3211, Ext. 273 • 503-791-0415 Cell P UBL ISH E S OCTOBE R 3 1, 2016 In serted in the Da ily A storia n D E AD L IN E : OCTOBE R 14 , 2016 For Spa ce Reserva tion
