Polk County Social
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 27, 2017 7A
News worth following in 2018 Four new taxes
coming in 2018
Itemizer-Observer staff report
POLK COUNTY — It is
traditional to take a look
back through the year as the
end of 2017 arrives.
This year, the Itemizer-
Observer staff wanted to look
ahead. We don’t have a crys-
tal ball, so can’t be certain
what the year will bring, but
here are a few things we ex-
pect to keep an eye on in
2018. Here are just a few
things we expect to see hap-
pen and report on.
What would you like us to
watch for in 2018?
—
City of Dallas city
manager position
When the Dallas City
Council terminated city
manager Ron Foggin for no
cause, and then hired Greg
Ellis to serve as interim city
manager, we put the recruit-
ment and hiring of a new
city manager on our list of
things to watch.
We have since discovered
Ellis may stay for up to two
years as interim, and so this
item may not end up hap-
pening until 2019 or 2020.
—
Dallas Booster Club’s turf
fundraising
Dallas Booster Club start-
ed raising money and in-
kind donations from the
community last summer to
build an artificial turf field at
Dallas High School. The
project really took off when
the Dallas School Board
agreed to pay for a new track
if the field project was suc-
cessful.
We are eager to see the
fundraising reach its goals
and a new field installed
soon. If the booster club
reaches its goal for this year,
the new track will be in-
stalled in the summer of
2019.
—
Independence Landing
The development at Inde-
pendence Landing in down-
town Independence on the
waterfront has been in the
works since Independence
purchased the property
from Valley Concrete.
The city put in the money
and man hours to get the
land ready for development,
and build streets and infra-
structure.
Officials then nurtured a
deal with Tokola Properties
for a hotel and residential
units.
We expect to see the de-
veloper break ground on the
hotel this spring, if it goes
according to plan, and be
finished within two years.
—
May election
We have quite a few local
seats up for election in 2018.
We’ll keep an eye on how
that changes the face of the
our local governments — if
at all.
—
Highway 99W project
The city of Monmouth
and Oregon Department of
Transportation have been
working together for a few
years to redesign the stretch
of Highway 99W that goes
through Monmouth.
Last year, the two got clos-
er to agreeing on what
should be done and who will
have to pay for what. We ex-
pect to see this project take
serious shape this year.
—
We hope to see more
businesses in downtown
and progress being made on
that corner property.
—
Dallas events:
Summerfest
After the smashing suc-
cess of the events surround-
ing the Great American
Eclipse, coupled with lower-
than-average Summerfest
parade entries, the Dallas
Area Visitor’s Center’s new
events manager Ashley Kahl
is giving Summerfest a
makeover.
She’s announced the
three-day festival will be
shortened to two days — not
counting Rotary’s activities
in the park on Sunday.
Part of what made the
eclipse so successful was be-
cause groups and business-
es talked to each other and
made it happen.
With the creation of a
Summer Events Task Force,
we hope to see more collab-
oration between entities
such as the DAVC and the
downtown association, and
more volunteers step up to
help make a difference.
We also are eager to see
how an August music festi-
val shapes up.
—
High school sports
Dallas’ softball team
reached the state champi-
onship game last season.
With most of its roster re-
turning, the Dragons will
look to make another deep
run and contend for a state
championship.
Central welcomes three
new coaches for spring
sports: Joel Everett (golf),
Patty Nevue (girls tennis)
and Tom Roberts (baseball).
—
Monmouth
developments
Many storefronts in Mon-
mouth’s downtown are oc-
cupied, but a few remain
empty. We are particularly
interested in the corner of
Highway 99W and Main
Street, where last we heard a
Carl’s Jr. is moving in.
Dallas Downtown
Association murder
mystery
The DDA’s murder mys-
tery afternoon in October
left us all on a cliffhanger.
Who killed Drew Golden? We
all want to know, and looks
like we’ll have to wait until
October to find out.
—
Development in Dallas
The Jiffy Lube location
going up on East Ellendale
Avenue is set to open this
year, but a few more busi-
ness project may be kicking
off soon.
Grocery Outlet is expect-
ed to open a location in Dal-
las and work on that should
begin in early 2018.
Also, an industrial project
in the works for some time
now, “Indigo,” could bring
new life to a vacant industri-
al parcel in town. City offi-
cials call it “transformative,”
if it happens.
More details to come on
that in early 2018
Of course, we are eagerly
watching for more progress
on the Blue Garden in 2018,
too.
—
Falls City closing Wagner
Barring a dramatic last-
minute rescue, Wagner
Community Library will
close after the summer read-
ing program this year.
City and community lead-
ers have vowed to find ways
to replace services lost once
the door close on the library.
We’ll be watching to see
what innovative solutions
they find.
—
Development in
Independence
Businesses have been fill-
ing the once-empty store-
fronts on Main Street in
downtown Independence,
and we expect to see more
coming in.
We have heard that leases
are in the works for the Tay-
lor’s building, as well as a
new establishment in the
former YMCA slot.
A new restaurant should
be moving in next to the
Three Legged Dog, and talks
are ongoing to fill the corner
slot at the Cooper Block.
—
New home for
Power and Light
Monmouth officials have
been working on plans for a
new home for Monmouth
Power and Light, currently
located next to Minet on
Hogan Road.
The new building will fea-
ture state-of-the-art solar
energy uses, as well as pro-
vide adequate storage.
The city closed on the
land for the new building in
2015. Last year, details of the
floor plan were being ironed
out.
We hope to see some dirt
moved in 2018.
Itemizer-Observer staff report
SALEM — The Oregon Department of Revenue is reminding
Oregon businesses and employers, out-of-state businesses
with employees or customers in Oregon, and vehicle and bicy-
cle buyers to make sure they’re ready for four new taxes start-
ing in 2018.
The 2017 Legislature created four tax programs to help fund
a statewide transportation package: the bicycle excise tax, the
vehicle privilege tax, the vehicle use tax, and the statewide
transit tax.
Bicycle excise tax
Oregon’s bicycle excise tax is a flat tax of $15 paid by the
consumer at the point of sale. To be taxed, a bike must meet all
of the following criteria:
• Be a new bicycle.
• Have two or more wheels that are 26 inches or larger.
• Be exclusively human powered and designed for use on
the ground.
• Have a retail purchase price of $200 or more.
Vehicle privilege tax
Oregon’s vehicle privilege tax applies to dealers selling new
vehicles in Oregon. The tax is on the privilege of selling and
equals one-half of 1 percent (.005) of the retail sales price of
the new vehicle. Sales of new vehicles, which must not have
been previously registered in Oregon, include:
• Vehicles with 7,500 miles or fewer and a gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) of 26,000 pounds or less.
• Recreational vehicles and motorcycles.
• Lease sales of new vehicles.
Vehicle use tax
Oregon’s vehicle use tax applies to vehicles purchased out-
side of Oregon by Oregon residents or for use in Oregon. It ap-
plies to any vehicle which, if purchased in Oregon, would qual-
ify for the vehicle privilege tax. The tax may be paid by the out-
of-state dealer or the consumer, and it equals one-half of 1
percent (.005) of the retail sales price of the taxable vehicle.
Only some out-of-state dealers will be required to collect
and remit the use tax. Others will choose to do so. If a dealer
doesn’t collect the tax from the consumer at the point of sale,
the consumer must report and pay it directly to the Depart-
ment of Revenue. Upon payment, the consumer will receive a
certificate showing they paid the tax, which the DMV will need
to register or title the vehicle in Oregon.
Statewide transit tax
The statewide transit tax takes effect on July 1, 2018. It will
be one-10th of 1 percent (.001) of the wages of Oregon resi-
dents — regardless of where they’re working — and non-resi-
dents who work in Oregon.
Payers of annuities and other periodic payments under ORS
316.189 also must withhold one-10th of 1 percent (.001) of
these payments. Employers who fail to deduct, withhold, and
remit the tax to the department will be subject to standard
penalties. In addition, employers who knowingly fail to deduct
and withhold the tax are subject to an additional penalty of
$250 per employee, up to $25,000.
Oregon residents working for certain out-of-state employ-
ers must self-report and pay the tax when they file their per-
sonal income tax return, if their employer chooses not to with-
hold it.
All new taxes
More information about the transportation-related taxes
can be found at www.oregon.gov/dor.
Affected sellers and employers can register, report taxes,
and make payments through the department's new web appli-
cation, Revenue Online.
They can visit www.oregon.gov/dor for more information
and to sign up for a Revenue Online account.
Here are some 2018 resolutions from our readers!
Happy
New Year!
My new year resolution is to not nit pick and/or
nag as much. Last year's was to be more thoughtful. — Robin R.
I am going to focus in being the best me possible and
not on past failures! — Brooke S.
To live in the NOW instead of looking backwards
or worrying about the future...... — Shelly B.
I'm going to take better care of my mental/ emotional Health.
I have been a little hard on myself over the years.
I should be treating myself more like I would
treat my little sister ! — Kelly S.
Read for fun more. — Emily M.
To put my best self forward and chase that dream! — Kathy M.W.
To take better care of myself and get out more. — Diane G.
To be brave, hold my head high, and to restart my career with
people that care. — Sheri B.
I want to think about and do more for others. There are few
things more fun and emotionally rewarding as secretly meeting
the needs and wants of others, or just reminding them they're
thought of and prayed for. — Alicia K. S.
Make more art, sell more art, teach more art. Art heals!
— Joanne D.
More Bourbon; More cigars; Let friends visit more. — Paul G.
Drink an adequate amount of water daily. — Jolene G.
My resolutions this coming year are to get more sleep and visit
friends more often. My goal is to pay off all non-mortgage debt
in 2018. — Bryce M.
In 2018 I will complete my first novel and finish a
100 mile ultramarathon! Plus a bunch of other stuff.
Always dream big! — Patricia H.
I want to find a way to watch tv shows that I like without
using satellite — Isabel B.
Allow myself to make mistakes and not criticize myself.
Allow others to do the same without criticism or judgement.
— Dori S.
To practice kindness and remind people to do the same..
Whether by example or prodding! — Terry C.
Eat healthier and exercise. Play in the fourth of July
tennis tournament. — Lukas E.
Concentrating on the good in life, not the bad and
spreading love not hate. Trying to see the good in
every situation when I'm struggling. — Patricia C.
If these
resolutions
are kept, we
will have a
wonderful
group of
people out
there making
a big
difference!
Planning on becoming a home owner in 2018?
I understand the importance of home and family and I look forward to making
your home ownership dreams a reality. When you are ready for your next move,
let me help you with the professionalism and care you deserve. Call me today.
Jana Fogg
Principal Broker Licensed in Oregon
503-930-1047
Wnidermere/Western View Properties
"Personal Attention,
Professional Results!"