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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 18, 2001)
APR l 8 2001 The INDEPENDENT, A p rrtA 2O&4- Page 9 Water franchise fee may drown budget deficit for City of Banks Placing a franchise fee on water bills to reduce or elimi nate the city’s budget deficit was the subject of serious dis cussion by Banks City Coun cilors at their meeting this month. Mayor Bob Orlowski distributed an analysis based on actual bills showing the plan could generate as much as $155,000 in a single year to eliminate the city’s debt. Water customers will be asked to comment on the plan this month. The price tag for relief in a single year is probably higher than either the councilors or the public would accept. The highest rate discussed was 30 cents for every 100 gallons of water used. Lower rates of 10 or 20 cents per 100 gallons would generate approximately $50,000 and $100,000 respec tively. At the 20-cent level, these rates translate into an in crease in homeowner’s water bills of approximately $9 to $20 per month. Orlowski said that this middle course “would meet the city’s needs better” than the highest rate. Councilor Katie Murdoch opened discussion with a strong statement that the fee “was a tax without representa tion from the people.” Orlowski said that it was an equitable way to distribute the cost and that “water is the only income generating source in the city.” Councilor Ryan Birr advocated creating a reserve fund to pro vide for future costs, such as those associated with seeking Linn Oil in Banks WE DELIVER FURNACE & STO VE O IL Armstrong & Bear Mtn. Wood Pellets Breckwel, Pellet Stoves Open 8-6 • 7 Days 182 Mato Street an additional water source or making infrastructure improve ments. Costs to individual home- owners may be nominal with a franchise fee, but costs to large commercial users and the Banks School District could be substantial. However, con tracts may be developed with Tualatin Valley Irrigation Dis trict to reduce some of the wa ter costs for the school and Ar bor Village Homeowners Asso ciation. Modeled after a similar fee increase in the city of Cornelius that will take effect in June, Or lowski used actual water bills to project income generated. By using the relatively wet, low use months of January and February projected income should not be affected by con servation efforts, increased use in the summer and mandatory curtailment efforts during a drought. The cost of maintaining the police department at its current level is another element driving consideration of the water fran chise fee. The city must gener ate at least $64,000 next year in order to continue current op erations, according to Coun cilor Teri Brandstitre. This is double the city’s current contri bution to the police budget. The 1998 voter-approved po lice levy has been absorbed by inflation, the increased size of the force and projected loss of arant funds. Councilor Judv Clifford said that this was a very difficult decision but that council must ensure that the city does not return to being without a local police force. Murdoch, Birr and Branstitre will draft a questionnaire to be inserted in this month’s water bills. Since the council must enact the fee within the next two months in order to include the income generated in next year’s budget, there is limited time for public comment. Water supply, 2001/02 budget dominate discussion at Banks council Money and water issues were the primary focus of the Banks City Council at their April 10 meeting. (See related article on a potential water franchise fee.) Monetary issues included employee salaries and benefits and payroll procession. The planning commission report, audience comments and other reports rounded out the meet ing. Dale Merrell, the city’s con tract engineer, reported on two ways for the city to increase its water supply. It may be possi ble to meet short term needs with access to the Quail Valley Golf Course well. Merrell has begun negotiations that would allow the city access to Quail Valley’s well in emergency situ ations. A potential long-term solu tion may develop from a pro posal by the Unified Sewerage Agency to be included as a stakeholder in the Water Sup ply Feasibility Report devel oped by Integrated Water Re sources Management (IWRM). The report will study the feasi bility of securing additional wa ter supplies for the Tualatin River watershed by raising the level of Hagg Lake. Council ap proved participation in such an agreement if it will secure ac cess to this potential water source. However, Mayor Bob Orlowski and Merrell warned that the study project currently being considered would cost the city approximately $2,250 in fiscal 2001. Merrell also said that he had contacted state Rep. Bruce Starr about three transportation projects that would benefit the city of Banks - improved east ern access to Highway 6, resurfacing of Highway 47 in the city and improvements to the Banks Road/Highway 47 intersection. Merrell said Starr indicated he would attempt to obtain funding for a feasibility study for improved eastern ac cess. Council approved wage in creases for city employees Karen Heesacker and Bob Prickett and improvements in the benefit package for all full time city employees beginning July first. The city will pay 15.8 percent PERS, increase sick leave to five days per year, and institute a three day bereave ment leave in addition to vaca tion and holiday benefits al ready in place for employees wno work more than 20 hours per week. Brian Biehl reported that the Planning Commission received a request from Sunset Park to bury 75-100 tires. The request was tabled pending proof of permission from DEQ and a map of the location. Biehl said that the signal at Oak Way and Highway 47 remains on sched ule to begin operation in Au gust. The planning commission also approved two variances to the fencing ordinance and has begun to review the fencing or dinance standards. In other business, the council: • Approved contracting for payroll services with Automat ed Data Processing; • Will schedule a public hearing on “No Parking" signs in May; • Received a copy of a 1912 map showing small land par cels platted for the town of Wilkesboro on land now occu pied by Quail Valley Golf Course. Annual auction supports students, many projects The 28th annual Banks Community Auction will be Sat urday, April 28, at Banks High School. Activities during the day long event include a huge garage sale beginning at 9:00 a.m., a silent auction at 5:00 p.m. and an oral auction at 7:00 p.m. An All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner will be served from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Among the items included in the auction this year are a three day/two night trip to Las Vegas, Reno, Laughlin, Mes quite, Lake Tahoe or Mississip pi, Nevada; a glider ride, a day spa visit and much more! For more items, visit the web site www.Banks.K12.or.us/auction The Banks Community Auc tion was first organized by par ents in 1973 to raise funds for a student foreign exchange program. Since then, the auc tion has grown in both popular ity and productivity and is now the biggest, most entertaining fundraiser in Banks. Parents, students and community mem bers work together to coordi nate this huge event. The proceeds help out not only the school, but many com munity projects as well. The school uses proceeds for scholarships to graduating sen iors, to help fund high school sports programs and to aid oth er activities. All BHS sports are pay-to-play and, without the ef forts of the community and the money raised through the auc tion, there would be no sports program in Banks schools. The public library, the park and the fire and rescue department, along with others, also benefit from the auction. Grand Re-opening of Banks Scout Cabin Dedication ceremonies for the Scout Cabin in Banks are scheduled for Wednesday, Please see page 10 For Customer Service and Satisfaction, See Your Q U A L IT Y Banks £r S TIH L. Ye Olde BG55 Handheld Blower BR400 Backpack Blower FC 75 Edger Manning Dingheiser SQQQOO Pub & Restaurant U v $315B0 Merchants • 27.2 cc • 8.8 lbs. VISA - MC - ATM Access • 430 d m ’ 25.4 cc engine ■ 12.8 lbs. Lunch & Dinner Daily 11:00 am - Closing Dependability from turf to treetop Depth adjustment wheel makes for easy cutting ■ Designed with the professional landscaper in mind B reakfast SUNSET LAUNDRY • 3.4 cu. in • 56 cc • 13.2 lbs. 3.75 cu. in.; 12.5 lb. powerhead Easy-access air filter INTELLICARB™ allows engine to operate longer before air filter cleaning is required Automatic oil pump with adjustable oil flow View-through gas tank B A N K S AUTO PA R TS 1 O 1 N . M A IN S TR EET - 5 0 3 - 3 2 4 - 1 0 6 0 M-F 8 am - 6 pm Sat. 8 am -1 2 pm Wash...$1-00 Dry.. .250 180 S. Main St. Banks, Oregon Sat-Sun 9 am - Noon COCKTAILS • BEER • WINE KEGS TO GO B IN G O SUNDAYS 5-8 PM CASH PRIZES!! All Lottery Games CLOSED MONDAYS 4 7 100 NW SUNSET IIWY. MANNING • 3 2 4 -4 8 4 8 _ S trassel ’ s A uto R epair & H ydraulic H oses 2-4-6 Spiral Wire • Flange Head • Suction Hoses Adaptors • 3/16” to 2” • Bulk Oil Products 276 S unset , B a n k s • 503-324-9808
