REGION
Saturday, August 13, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 3A
IRRIGON
City compromises on water bill overage fees
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rate is outrageous
By GEORGE PLAVEN
East Oregonian
After years of taking out loans
and neglecting build reserve funds,
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know they have a water budget that is
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On the other hand, residents argue
they need to maintain affordable
services to make their community a
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The issue came to a head
Thursday over new water rates
that went into effect July 1, which
included a substantial increase in
overage charges for homes that use
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dents said they were alarmed to see
their combined sewer and water bills
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members voted to slightly lower the
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enough in the short term until the city
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who was hired in 2013, traced the root
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infrastructure but had no reserves to
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Instead, Irrigon took out loans
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two new groundwater wells that
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nitrates were found in the city’s old
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Staff photo by E.J. Harris
Long-time Irrigon resident Kieron Haney used 120,000 gallons of water last month keeping his yard
green. An amount that cost him roughly $500 on his monthly bill.
considering the city is
located within the Lower
Umatilla Basin Ground-
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established in 1990 due to
nitrate levels that exceeded
federal safe drinking water
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said, that has been left Haney
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Irrigon is saddled with eight bonds
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In February 2014, the city hired
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What the audit discovered
was that the water budget
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“If we don’t turn our
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As of July, Irrigon resi-
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The overage is what caught
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“Does that sound reasonable to
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a lot of water — he used more
than 120,000 gallons last month,
according to his bill — but he said
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already removed a chunk of grass
and extended his gravel driveway to
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said it’s the industrial farms that
created the issue with groundwater
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Linanne Starke, who owns a
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said she also worries she won’t be
able to afford her bills in the future
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“We’re trying to beautify Irrigon,
and green is beautiful to me,” Starke
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dents, but the city has to do some-
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so you don’t have to borrow,” he
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The council ultimately voted
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that motion, stating it would set
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The council also called for a rate
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estimated to cost $15,000, and the
council admits it does not know yet
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available to customers with at least
12 months of continuous service and
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———
Contact George Plaven at
gplaven@eastoregonian.com
or
541-966-0825.
PENDLETON
Crews get Gibbon Fire
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By ANTONIO SIERRA
East Oregonian
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choose the city’s next commercial air
service at a meeting Tuesday, but they
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before the council’s start time with the
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The commission heard bid
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Afterwards,
the
commission
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serves and return to the commission
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could make a recommendation to the
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airline that could boost boardings by
offering reliability, good customer
service and faster, more comfortable
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with Alaska Airlines and a larger
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and the council will meet Tuesday at
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———
Contact Antonio Sierra at asierra@
eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0836.
BRIEFLY
seals, but only received one
bid at cost they deemed
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After asking around,
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will meet community
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5RDVWHUV1:'HVSDLQ Works Director Bob
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while a slurry seal is a thin
Pendleton City
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Council considers ³UHIUHVK´WKHTXDOLW\RIWKH
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crack seal bid
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bid, attracting three bidders
is ready to consider a bid
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to seal cracks on about 64
Removing the slurry seal
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work means the city can
According to a staff
address some of the crack
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seals staff had slated for
for crack seal services
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came from Kerry Fuller
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most of the crack seals will
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condition, which will stave
for bids earlier in the
off deterioration and more
summer for crack and slurry H[SHQVLYHUHSDLUV
Candidate slated
for meet-and-greet
Welcome
Alder Family Dental is pleased to
announce Dr. Nathan Bushman will
be joining the practice. Dr. Bushman
Specializes in general dentistry for
patients of all ages. We will continue
to provide the same great dental
care. New patients and same day
emergencies are always welcome!
809 SW Court Ave Pendleton • 541.276.3241
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$806,000 on roads this
year, coming in under the
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———
Briefs are compiled
from staff and wire reports,
and press releases. Email
press releases to news@
eastoregonian.com
East Oregonian
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burning in remote terrain near
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demobilizing Friday, and
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transition to a local team
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ment of Forestry and Umatilla
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to controlled burns meant to
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hand crew and one engine will
remain on scene for the next
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miles west of Unity in Baker
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strategic areas on the northeast
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dozers, 21 engines, 19 water
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together, they have scorched
a total of 24,301 acres, and
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to local teams manned by the
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restrictions in effect on the
Umatilla National Forest,
and regulated use closures on
the ODF Northeast Oregon
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chainsaws, smoking, off-road
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meant to lower the risk of
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more information, visit the
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“Country Scenes &
Children’s Dreams”
August 17-21, 2016
FAIR: www.morrowcountyoregon.com/fair
Wednesday, Aug. 17 th
Dr. Solar Magic Show
Kid Fun Zone
The Junebugs
RODEO: www.morrowcountyoregon.com/fair/rodeo
Thursday, Aug. 18 th
Friday, Aug. 19 th
Dr. Solar Magic Show Dr. Solar Magic Show
Kid Fun Zone
Old Time Fiddlers
Ice Cream Social
Talent Show
FFA Floral Design
Murray's Wine Tasting
Featuring:
Joe Lindsay
Nate Bosford
4-H Food Contest
4-H/FFA Small Animal
Showmanship
Watermelon Contest
Pet Show for the
Public
4-H Fashion Show
RDO Tractor Pull
OTPR NPRA SLACK
THANK YOU TO ALL
OUR SPONSORS!
Kid Fun Zone
OMSI
4-H/FFA
Showmanship
Master Showmanship
OTPR/NPRA Rodeo
After Rodeo Band:
Jessie Leigh
Saturday, Aug. 20 th
Dr. Solar Magic Show
Kid Fun Zone
Parade
FFA Awards
Buyers Luncheon
Livestock Auction
OTPR/NPRA Rodeo
After Rodeo Band:
Jessie Leigh
Sunday, Aug. 21 st
All Exhibits Released
Morrow County Rodeo
www.facebook.com/oregontrailprorodeo
www.facebook.com/morrowcountyfairheppneroregon
