BESSIE WETZELL
U OF ORE
N E V.' S P A P E R L I C
EUGENE CR 97403
THE
Morrow County's Newspaper
GAZ
Vol. 93 No. 9
Heppner, OR, Thursday, April 15, 1976
15c
Morrow County Schools
Itf TWIG'S
5 s
i
iff
State Rep. Sumner
opposes LCDC
State Rep. Jack Sumner, D Heppner. said that the State
Emergency Board has approved funds over his objection, to
the Land Conservation and Development CommwioB. At
issue was $ ,"9.310 in additional requested funds (or the
processing of appeals.
Sumner said the L.C D C. indicated to the Emergency
Board that appeal activity and cost have been such as to
expend the entire amount provided in the first seven months
of the biennium. The Emergency Board in its action today
allocated $49,451 of the requested amount.
Sumner said, "In voting against the action taken today, I
pointed out thai Senate Bill 100 gave L.C D C. review
authority of local plans, but not the authority of approval or
disapproval."
"L.C.D.C. has wrongly taken the position of approval
authority. If they did not take this position, they would not
have the necessity of asking the Emergency Board for the
funding of appeals, and therefore, their request should be
denied."
Sumner added, "one more vole against this request would
have denied the additional funding."
State Rep. Jack Sumner, DHeppner, announced that the
Slate Emergency Board has approved funds for Morrow
County for construction of a solid waste facility. The grant
will assist In the purchasing of equipment needed for the
operation of the Morrow County regional disposal site.
Sumner said. "This money will assist Morrow County in
the closing of existing burning dumps and replacing them
with upgraded disposal sites. I am very pleased with the
Emergency Board's action. The grant to the county is
authorized by Chapter 445, Oregon Laws and constitutes a
great assistance to area residents."
Sumner said that solid waste money will amount to over
80,000 and will be added to existing Morrow County money to
complete the project. The equipment that will now be
purchased will assist In the covering and compacting of solid
waste, Sumner added.
March of Dimes
Walk-A-Thon
The March of Dimes Walk-A-Thon
will be held this
Saturday. April 17. Partici
pants will begin the 30 mile
walk starting at 8am., from
the Ford Parking lot. Heppner
and will continue to Lexington
and return.
This is leisurely walk, not
race, and there will be 9
check points along the propos
ed route, with soft drinks and
snacks provided at the rest
points.
Transportation will be pro
vided back to Heppner from
any of the check points if a
contestant decides he can go
no further.
Each contestant must ob
tain pledges from sponsors for
each mile walked and they are
urged to get as many sponsors
as possible. All walken must
havt at leat.1 one sponsor In
order to enter the Walk-A-Thon.
Prlics will be awarded to
the following: youngest to
finish; oldest to finish; person
with the most pledges; first
girl to finish; First boy to
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finish; third person to finish;
most money rnised.
Sponsor sheets may be ob
tained at the School District
Offices. (Heppner, lone scho
ols, and the Lexington office)
or from the Bank of Eastern
Oregon. Heppner Branch.
The RAW Drive In will
issue large soft drinks to
everyone who enters the walk
and the most participants
from each class of these scho
ols will receive one free Ice
cream cone as prizes. (Cour
tesy of the Heppner High
School National Honor So
ciety.) All money must be turned in
by May 1. Walkers are asked
to take or mail their pledges to
Pat Gentry, care of the Bank
of Eastern Oregon Prizes will
be awarded after May I, and
only to those who have
collected their pledges.
All proceeds will go to the
March of Dimes. The Walk'
AThon is sponsored by the
National Honor Society of
Heppner High School.
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One of the oldest churches in Heppner, The Methodist
Church, will probably be over flowing with people this
Sunday. We of the Gazette-Times wish all of our friends a
Happy Easter.
BHCC
Voters of Umatilla and
Morrow Counties were asked
by Blue Mountain Community
College's president, board
chairman and chairmau of the
budget committee to go to the
uoi!.-. Tuesday. Aorif 20 to
support the college budget for
the 1976-77 schK)i year.
The budget, which provides
for no new programs or
facilities, would require
$1,545,259 in taxes in the
college district, an increase of
10' 2 per cent over the current
tax figure. BMCC has no tax
base, requiring annual budget
elections for funds to operate.
College President Ron Dan
iels expects the levy per $1,000
County Board
to meet
The regular meeting of the
Morrow County School Dis
trict board of directors w ill be
held at 8 p.m., Monday. April
19 at the A C. Houghton
Elementary School, Irrigon.
The board is expected to
hear a report from the Board
man Irrigon Long Range
Planning Committee on land
use and other land needs in the
districts North end schools.
The board will also consider
a request for sale of property
in Heppner and a request to
rent office space in the district
office building in Lexington.
Other items for considera
tion are quotations for proper
ty appraisals and suggested
changes in district policies.
Good Friday
Services change
year
Traditional Good Friday
services presented by the
South Morrow Ministerial As
sociation have usually been
during the afternoon; howev
er, this year the service will be
held Friday, April 16. 7:30
p m In the Heppner Assembly
of God Church.
Four area ministers will
participate: Rev. Edwin Sikes
of the Heppner Christian
Church will give the sermon
entitled "The Paradox of The
Cross." Assisting him will be
the Rev. Bill Graham of the
lone United Church of Christ,
Hev. Gordon Blackborn of the
Heppner Church of The Naz
rene and Rev, Duane Geyer
of the Heppner Assembly of
God Church.
Everyone Is cordially Invit
ed to attend this community
service.
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SI
budge?
true cash value to be less than
the current year's because of
a projected rise in the
district 's true cash value. Cost
to taxpayers, he said, would
range between $160 and 11 64 .
, per $l.oo0 true rash valun.v
with the lower figure being the
best guess. The rate this year
is $1 63
Ben Holdman, Umatilla co
unty rancher and Chairman of
the college budget committee,
described the budget as "a
good, hold-the-line budget"
and encouraged voters to
support it at the polls.
Also asking for voter sup
port was Harmon Springer,
Hermiston, Chairman of the
college Board of Education.
He termed the budget con
servative. "We are doing the best job
possible in providing the
facilities and services the
people of our district need and
want." Springer said "We
have finally attained the
balance that has long been the
goal of the college, and we
need a gxd vote Tuesday to
make sure we can continue to
provide for the need and
want," Springer said. "We
have finally attained the
balance that has long been the
goal of the college, and we
need a good vole Tuesday to
make sure we can continue to
provide for the needs of all
segments of our population."
Daniels described the bud
get as tight, adding it reflects
unavoidable increases in so
cial security paymcpts, utili
ties, insurance, street main
tenance and cost of living sal
ary increases. Total budget
figure is $3,079,381. about half
of which is made up from tui
tion, fees and state and federal
sources.
Also on the ballot will be
three positions on the college
Hoard of Education. Unoppo
sed in their bids for reelection
are Ken Dauble, Weston and
Bob Kietmann. lone.
Seeking election to the post
now held by Joe Green, Pen
dleton, are Julianne Sawyer.
Pendleton, and Green.
Polls w ill be open in Morrow
mid Umatilla conie from 8
a m to 8 p m. Persons in
Morrow County unable to get
to the polls may pick up
absentee ballots from the
County Clerk in Heppner.
Umatilla county voters may
oUain absentee ballots (mm
the deputy clerk of their
school district or the BMCC
Business Office.
Following are locations of
pulling places In Morrow
County: Precinct 1, Greenfie
ld Grange. Boardman; Pre
cinct 3. lone City Hall; Pre
cinct 4, Irngon School Build
ing, Precinct $. lexingtnn
City Hall. Precincts 2, 8. 7. 8
and 9. Old City Library. Heppner.
"The reasons for the increase in the Morrow County
School budget are due to the increased cost of living,
inflation, state and federal regulations and an increase in
school student enrollment, said County Superintendent of
Schools, Matthew Doherty, speaking before the Chamber of
Commerce, Monday.
The total proposed budget for next year is $2,659,540. This
, represents an increase of $337,231 over last years budget.
An analysis of this budget reveals that, of the increase,
$237,978 is due to inflation, cost of living and state and federal
regulations. This represents a 10.5 per cent increase over last
years budget.
While $149,253 is due to costs related to student population,
or new growth, this adds an additional 6.5 per cent increase
for a total increase of 17 per cent.
The school district is trying to play catch-up ball on student
increases. Going back to the opening of school two years ago,
the schools had 1264 students in school and were experiencing
crowding in some classrooms. The district did not have
rooms so the board did not add teaching staff at that time.
Since that time, enrollment has risen steadily where the
schools now have 1452 students. This represents an increase
of 188 students. Because classrooms are not available,
teaching staff still has not been added. Student population
probably will go over the 1500 mark by the opening of school
next year. At that time some new classroom space will be
available and additional teachers are expected to be hired.
The amount of increase for growth breaks out this way:
7 new teachers - $75,218
secretarial 562.
library aide (state regulation) 3,759.
bus driver 1.980.
cooks helpers (Heppner & Irrigon) 1,869.
custodian ; 3,865
school bus 18,000.
books, supplies, equipment k services 44,000.
Total $149,253
The cost of this budget in terms of dollars per thousand to
the taxpayer is dependent upon the valuation of property
withm toe-county. - - ' ' - - - " ' "
Figures have not been released from the Assessor's office
on increased valuation but this increased valuation could
exceed $30 million. Of this amount, almost $20 million would
be new valuation. Most of this new value will be in North
Morrow County.
North Morrow County is also the area which will require
the lions share of the money which has been added to the
budget for growth.
Another factor in determining the cost to the taxpayer is
the amount of money that will be received from other sources
rather than local property taxes.
The largest single source of income is Basic School
Support, which this year will be $593,299. Of this amount
$51,000 is a grant for growth. We expect about $60,000 in
additional basic money for growth next year.
The total money to be received in receipts is $1,002,342. The
amount of the budget to be raised by local taxes is $1,887,206.
Of this amount $466,157 is within the 6 per cent limitation. The
remaining $1,421,049 is the amount on the ballot to be voted
upon.
The district currently levies a tax for two bond issues
which adds an additional $253,569. These two added together
results in the proposed levy of $2,140,775.
Based on last years valuation of $193,125,965, this would
cost taxpayers of Morrow County $11 per thousand. Based on
a projected increase of thirty million dollars in valuation,
this would cost taxpayers approximately $9 60 per thousand.
Last year the tax for schools was $9 10 per thousand. The
new levy would increase taxes by 50 cents per thousand if the
district value increases by thirty million dollars.
A $30,000 property would pay $15 in additional taxes.
Next year Morrow County School District is In its first year
of a new budget process called a program budget, which
replaces our old system of line item budgeting. All school
districts in the state are required to use this new budgeting
system.
Because the new budget is a programmed budget, it is
virtually impossible to place the new budget along side the
old one in order to make direct comparisons of the two.
In developing this new budget all items are categorized as
to function. The two major functions are Instruction and
Support Services. All items that directly affect students such
as teacher salaries, textbooks, etc.. are classified as
instruction. Services such as administration, custodial and
bus driver salaries, buses, heat, lights, etc., are support
services.
Other functions are Community Services, Interagency
Fund Transactions and Debt Service. These occupy small
portion of the budget. Instruction occupies about 53 per c ent
of the budget, support services about 45 per cent and the
other three functions make up the remaining 1 per cent.
Basically the budget is built In the following manner:
throughout the previous year a file Is kept of needs as they
arise. This is done at the building levels, at the district office
and at the bus shop.
Early in the Fall the District Transportation Committee
meets and considers the projected transportation needs, and
di-veUkp a revMmeitiUlion to U board At lite same time
the principals prepare their staff needs for the coming year.
This recommendation also goes to the board, along with
requests for new programs.
The board considers these Items and determines which of
them are to be Included in the budget proposal. Also in the
Fall, building principals develop, with the help of the staff,
their needs for Instruction and support services for the
coming year.
These requests art brought by building principals to the
advisory committees of each attendance area. The advisory
committee considers justifications and makes cuts or
adjustments In the request. The request then goes to the
Superintendent for Inclusion in the budget document. Prior to
Inclusion, the Superintendent once more reviews the requests
and makes additional cuts and revisions. The Items then go
to the budget committed.
The budget committee spends from three to four sessions
in reviewing the budget. A hearing Is held on the budget at
which time further revisions can be made. This year
additional revenue was added lo the budget In the form of
Budget goes
voters
Tl
uesoay
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A'
MATT DOHERTY
$51,000 in growth money from Basic School Support. This
increase will have the effect of reducing the tax rate.
The budget proposal, when presented to the committee,
represented a considerable increase over last years budget.
After much study and work, the budget was reduced
somewhat. However, as is frequently the case when faced
with budget work, it just isn't easy to find places to cut.
The budget had already passed through the review by the
local advisory boards and some adjustments had been made.
In conclusion Doherty said, "This is a realistic budget and
recommend its passage."
In other business to come before the Chamber of
Commerce Judge Paul Jones notified the members that
Congressman AJ Ullman would be in Heppner Friday, April
16. A no host luncheon will be served at noon at the Elks
Lodge with the public invited to attend.
Orville Cutsforth said, "Half statements and half-truths
are appearing in various papers concerning the Corporate
Farm Issue." The only difficulty we foresee will be in
finances, as we feel sure we will be able to obtain the
required number of signatures to place the issue on the
November ballot.
The tentative program for next week will be presented by
the Bank of Eastern Oregon and will be a film dealing with
"How to Manage Money."
Budget
Committee
The budget committee for
the City of Heppner met last
Tuesday and tentatively ap
proved a budget that will have
to be submitted to the voters
for their approval as the total
levy outside the six per cent
limitations totals $93,866.
The total budget for the city
including all funds totals
$379,541. Last year the budget
for the city totaled $531,031
because of the water bond
issue. However, this year's
levy totals $66,656 more than
last years. This increase is
primarily due to the lack of
revenue sharing money which
was approximately $36,000
last year. This year the
eMmtrd amount of revenue
sharing is only $I2.0n0.
Other increases are based
on the increased cost of living
and inflation.
Another budget meeting will
be held In the future prior to
submitting the proposed bud
get to th common council for
acceptance.
LITTLE LEAGUE
Little League try mi's will be
held Saturday. April 17, 10
a m.
There will also be a workday
for the dads this Saturday
starting at I pm. All dads are
encouraged to attend and help
with the necewary work.
"CO
CONG. AND MRS. ULLMAN
TO VISIT HEPPNER
'f
Congressman and Mrs. Al
Ullman will be in Heppner
Friday. A no host luncheon
will be held at the Elks Lodge
at noon. The public is invited
to attend the luncheon and
visit with the guests.
COLUMBIA BASIN
RANKS I4T1I
The BPA 1975 calendar year
sales summary has just been
released.
Columbia Basin recorded
the 16th highest usage level of
the 52 electric coops BPA
serves.
Only tour electric coops paid
a lower average rate for
power than did Columbia
Basin Electric. The local Coop
owns most of its substations
and has a good load factor.
Columbia Basin paid S 47 mills
per kwh compared to the
average of 3 93 mills per kwh
paid by all electric coops
served by BPA.
Electric Coops of the NW
recorded 16 $ per cent in
crease in use compared to 1974
and Columbia Basin was just
above the average with a gain
of 16 per cent.
Strangely enough, only 3
electric coops had greater
percentage Increase than that
of Columbia Basin Electric.
The large increase of one ele
ctric coop brought the area
average up.
The total power bill paid for
the calendar year by the local
coop was $.t3.l4I.
r