TEN - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, August 16, 2000
Court discusses putting levy before voters
By Doris Brosnan
The Morrow County
Commissioners met in a special
session on August 8 for
discussion of the county finances
with Finance Director Lisanne
Cumn, Assessor Greg Sweek,
and Public Works Director Burke
O'Bnen. Also present, Larry
Mills represented the budget
committee.
Cumn explained a spreadsheet
of road-fund revenue estimates
that she projects for 2001-2002,
2002-2003 and 2003-2004.
Projections
included
the
beginning fund balances, taxes to
balance, gas tax/vehicle license
revenues, transfer from general
hind, transfer from Finley Buttes,
federal forest fees, operating
loan, fund exchange, and all
other revenues.
Cumn also displayed the
department's projected costs for
personal-services increases based
on union contract provisions,
cost-of-living-adjustment trends,
w orkers
co m p en satio n
premiums, retirement, medical
and dental insurance and tax
adjustments.
Another spreadsheet projected
the road department materials
and services, including asphalt,
all other materials, capital outlay,
additional road tax funds to the
districts and ending fund
balances. Inserted back into the
figures were those for crushing.
With increases in costs and
decreases in revenues, the
department projections are for a
$935,000 deficit.
Currin presented a similar
spreadsheet for the general fund,
which included adjustments to
personal services, materials and
services, the elimination of the
transfer to the road fund, capital
outlay, and ending fund balances.
Sweek added that he expects tax
revenues to remain "fairly flat"
over the next several years
because* any construction is
primarily in enterprise zones that
delay tax revenues. Sweek added
that utility taxes continue to
decline.
Cumn asked the court what
length of levy, if they decide fo
request one, they will want. She
pointed out that long-term levies
rely on guesses of future needs,
which
might
be
over-or
underestimated. Sweek pointed
out that the timing of a levy
expiration could be significant
because it could mean voting on
a new levy in a double-majority
year.
Mills observed that the court
must keep in mind the
perspective of the voter. Currin
suggested that a road-department
levy is more pertinent than a
general-fund levy. Commissioner
Brosnan agreed and noted that
the cities would benefit from
additional road funds as a result
of a road-department levy.
O'Bnen expressed concern
about having to yet make cuts
even after passing a levy because
it would not add back previous
budget items and Mills pointed
out the difficulty in justifying a
levy that would include an add-
back.
O'Brien further noted the
importance of not leading voters
to believe that the passing of a
levy would result in getting more
work done but, rather, that the
county would be able to maintain
roads in their current condition if
the levy passed.
Mills asked the court for
discussion of a four-year levy.
Currin pointed out that such
would place the county closer to
the years when enterprise-zone
construction will begin paying
taxes. Brosnan and Mills stated
preference for a four-year levy.
Sweek speculated, in answer to a
question from Brosnan, that if
the rate were less than $1, the net
would be around $850,000.
Brosnan observed that the court
could gamble on the hopes of the
"Payment In Lieu of Taxes" bill
passing and making up the
difference.
Mills, however, pointed out
that if the county levies for less
than needed and the PILT bill
does not pass, the county would
still have to cut staff. He added,
though, that he wondered about
voter support for a levy that
would mean a $1.38 tax rate.
Discussion included that the
forest-fee revenue will be about
$300,000 short, even with the
levy, by year three; that the
county does not transfer as much
from the general fund (transfer
and Finley Buttes) to support the
road fund; that questions can be
anticipated from the north end of
the county about lack of south-
county growth but a need for a
levy.
Commissioner Wenholz
observed the need to explain that
county growth is primarily
industrial that is not being taxed
yet and residential growth does
not provide an appreciable
amount of tax growth. Sweek
pointed out that even with the
daines, which are not tax
exempt, the decline in utilities
means very little tax benefit.
Commissioner Wenholz voiced
his desire to keep a levy request
under a $ 1 tax rate though
doubting that possibility. He
stressed what a problem passing
a levy and then still cutting staff
would create.
A general
consensus was reached of asking
in November for a $1,350,000
four
year
road-department
general-operations levy, which
would net $1,000,000 at a tax
rate of $ 1.3 8 per $ 1000 (of which
the cities would receive $.26).
Mills pointed out that, if the
voters support the levy, the
county would not have to
actually levy that amount if it
turns out that it is not, in fact,
needed.
The group agreed on the
importance of disseminating
correct
information.
Mills
suggested convening the Road
Committee for a discussion.
Sweek suggested addressing the
Heppner Economic Development
Corporation and the lone
Community
and
Business
Organization, as well. Brosnan
suggested letters to the editor and
speaking to the press. Currin said
that she will put together the
ballot question and file it with
the county clerk.
The question of consequences
should a road-department levy
fail was visited. Noted was
expected anger of voters if
deputies had to be laid off and
other cuts made. Brosnan pointed
out that going on the next March
ballot would create competition
against the children in the school
bond election. Tallman observed
that going in March would also
mean the need for a double
majority.
As the meeting ended, the court
planned to meet with the road
committee and invite the budget
committee to attend.
The county court met at its
regularly scheduled meeting on
August 9. Heppner City Manager
Jerry Breazeale appeared at the
meeting to request funding in
support of the city's request for a
RARE student. The program
involves qualified graduate
students seeking experience by
working for rural communities.
The cost is $15,000 for a year,
and the student would be
requested to market the Willow
Creek Valley, including the
development of a web-based
brochure. The city has one
scheduled interview for the
position; the city will provide
office space and a computer. lone
is supportive and has offered to
help with funding. The Port of
Morrow will be discussing
whether or not it will contribute,
and the city of Heppner has the
item in its budget. In answer to a
question, Breazeale noted that
this project is high on the city's
list of priorities. Commissioner
Brosnan explained that SCERT
money is considerably less than
originally
anticipated,
and
Commissioner
W enholz
described the decision-making
process on the awarding of the
tippage-fee money. Breazeale
shared his concern that without
industry back in the county, the
county will not be able to build
the tax base and make local
communities healthy, but use of
this one-year program could have
far-reaching results with a
minimal amount of investment.
The court explained that they
will be reviewing all funding
requests next week.
Planning Director Tamra
Mabbott
and
Emergency
Management Director Casey
Beard discussed with the court
various issues regarding the
Army depot. They shared a draft
letter to Governor Kitzhaber
requesting his support of safety
and statutory concerns regarding
the storage of chemical weapons
I
at the depot. The court agreed to
signing the letter to the governor
addressing perimeter monitoring
of K-block, filtration of igloo
vents, remotely monitored smoke
detectors, strapping of munitions
pallets, inspection of suppression
devices, and refrigeration of
mustard-storage sheds.
Mabbott offered a handout
regarding the secondary waste
"Integrated Process Team." She
continues to emphasize to the
Army the county's strong desire
to participate in the team but says
she only gets "blank stares."
Judge Tallman noted that getting
information from the group
seems nearly impossible and no
one at the national CSEPP
conference had an answer to the
question of exclusion. Mabbott
has been told that no non
stockpile chemicals are to be
transported to this facility.
Regarding alternate technology
for
secondary
waste.
Commissioner Brosnan reported
being told that none have yet
been proven, but Mabbott added
that two have been used at
Tooele and Johnson Atoll.
Brosnan voiced concern that the
Army raised the issue of not
budding a dun incinerator,
though it has not addressed the
storage and treatment issues of
that secondary waste. Tallman
reported that the commissioners
in Utah do not seem troubled by
the storage but added his concern
over the risk-assessment process,
which Beard suggested would
offer the permittee the answers
they want. Mabbott pointed out
that Utah is being paid for
storage and that Tooele is not a
site that is scheduled for re-use
after cleanup, as is the Umatilla
site.
Discussing the question of a
states impact aid coalition, which
some states are choosing to join
but others are opting not to join,
the court agreed to leave the
option open until they meet with
the Umatilla County Court.
Brosnan stated that the county
does not have the $36,000 for
participation this year, or
$24,000 per year thereafter.
Wenholz pointed out that
Umatilla seems to favor
participation, which would split
that amount.
Morrow County Health Director
Kelly Sager presented and the
court approved a request for his
participation in a management
course, the cost of which will be
covered by the behavioral health
budget.
Sager reported a meeting with
Judge Reynolds of Grant County
about the mental health program
services in that county. A
discussion focused on what a
contract would mean to the
Morrow County program and to
Sager because of the time
contracted, what the legal
ramifications could be, what the
state tax-related ballot measures
could mean to the behavioral
health
department.
Commissioners Brosnan and
Wenholz agreed on the need to
speak to the Grant County Court,
though Sager will proceed with
presenting them the contract.
Public Works Director Burke
O'Bnen reported that the crew
had patched dust blowouts on
Strawberry,
Juniper,
and
Emigrant roads, had repaired a
five-foot deep sink hole in
Patterson Ferry, had asphalt-
patched the Ione-Boardman and
Baker roads; had painted on
Patterson
Ferry,
Baseline,
Willow Creek and Bombing
Range roads. O'Brien reported
traffic counters on Wilson Road
and Patterson Ferry. Wilson
Road shoulder work must wait
bnefly, shoulder rock was pulled
on Columbia and Patterson Ferry
needs only some cleanup work.
The company using Hale Ridge
assured O'Brien that the rock
work would be done this week,
compacted
and
completed
correctly.
O'Bnen and the court discussed
County Line Road, which has
been returned to gravel from
asphalt. At issue is the question
of maintenance responsibility, as
no agreement exists between
Umatilla and Morrow counties,
and the need to notify residents
of such work before it is
undertaken.
O'Brien presented and the court
approved a policy for dealing
with repair and maintenance of
county vehicles: that the
mechanics in the road shop
perform repairs and maintenance
on all departments’ vehicles
except the newer and well-
maintained ones of the sheriffs
office.
Other business before the court
included the following:
-approval of the fair secretary
temporarily
exceeding
the
compensatory time;
-approval of county treasurer
Gayle Gutierrez's renewal of the
order allowing investment of the
county's funds;
-approval of a permit for the
city of lone to cross Gooseberry
Road for water lines;
-agreement to open bids next
week for county fuel and oil
supplies;
-approval of changing a road
department job title from "Office
Manager" to "Office Support
Specialist";
-appointment of commissioner
Brosnan as contract performance
manager for the courthouse
painting and annex roofing;
-reappointment of Joe Yocom,
Allen Holmes, and Kelwayne
Haguewood to the Fair Board;
-approval of a resolution
establishing a policy for the use
of Rhea Creek Road;
-appointment of commissioner
Wenholz to the CREPT Board;
-authorization for a claim
against a company for damages
to McNab Road.
Lindy Gravelle
to perforin
B ib b y 's hom e ya rd o f the m onth
Lyn Bibby (left) and her daughter, Carolyn Wiley, earn the yard of
the month award for August..
although they were really
Luke's," said Lyn. "When you
have a yard, you really have to
baby it.
Lyn's daughter, Carolyn Wiley,
who lives with her, now helps
her mother take care of the yard.
The yard of Lyn Bibby, 220 W.
Baltimore in Heppner, has been
selected as the Heppner Garden
Club Yard of the Month for
August.
Lyn moved into her home
when she and her husband, Luke,
were married in 1977. At the
time, there wasn't much in the
yard, but Luke, who has since
passed away, liked roses. Lyn
told him that if he dug up the
yard, she would take care of the
roses.
"I've really enjoyed the roses,
r.
DANCE!
WE PRINT
BUSINESS CARDS
Heppner Gazette-Times
6 7 6 -9 2 2 8
LIGHT SHOW!
VIDEOS!
D a n ce th e n ig h t a w a y u n d e r th e stars...
Saturday, Aug. 19, 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The Heppner Elks Club
welcomes back singer and
Heppner native Lindy Gravelle to
Heppner on Saturday, August 19,
at 9 p.m.
Lindy grew up in Heppner. "It
was cowboys and ranchers, and
the big deal of the year was the
rodeo," she says. Her parents
owned Heppner's popular Wagon
Wheel Cafe. For entertainment at
the Wagon Wheel, Lindy's father
led her brothers and sisters in a
country and western band. Lindy
made her debut as a performer at
the age of three, when her father
brought her onstage for a nightly
solo. She fell in love with the
music.
In 1985, Lindy made the move
to Nashville, TN. Marsha
Thornton's single and video of
Lindy's composition, "A bottle of
wine and Patsy Cline," became a
regular play on CMT. Lindy
herself became a fixture on the
Nashville club circuit.
As the millennium turned,
Lindy's thoughts turned as well,
to her roots in the northwest, and
she decided it was time to return
back to her Oregon roots.
Lindy will have CDs and tapes
on sale featuring her latest
releases.
F eatu rin g 3-D P ro d u ctio n s
at the Northwestern RV Parking Lot
Admission $1; $1 donations accepted
EVEKYObJE IS WELCOME!
WELCOME
TO THE
MORROW COUNTY
FAIR
AND OREGON TRAIL
PRO RODEO
ENJOY!
We will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 19
and open our regular hours on Monday, Aug. 21
W.C.C.C. Golf
Jeweim
Ladies’ Play
Tuesday, August 8
Low gross of the field: Shari
Stahl.
Low net of the field: Betty
Christman.
Least putts of the field: Carol
Norris.
Flight A: low gross Lois Hunt;
low net Pat Anderson; least putts
Lynnea Sargent; long drive Shari
Stahl.
Flight B: low gross Bernice
Lott; low net Della Heideman;
long drive Betty Christman.
Flight C: low gross Jackie
Allstott; low net Barbara Gilbert;
least putts Dorris Graves; long
drive Jackie Allstott.
Chip in: Bernice Lott #9.
Long putt: Carol Norris #5
W CCC
Amenca. Inc.
Peterson's
Heppner
»
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PAUL and CLAUDINE WARREN
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5 0 th A N N IV E R S A R Y
ox F tidaif, September I, i*otx 2-4 |ux.
al St. Pahick’t Sexta* Cente*, Hepptw
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