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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 6, 2002)
I ne iNUfcKtNUtN I, March b, 2002 Page 13 More qualify for below-market rate, state Residential Loans Oregon Housing and Com munity Services (OHCS) has increased the annual income limits for its Residential Loan Program, a below-market inter est rate loan program serving low and moderate income Ore gonians and other applicable multi-family programs adminis tered by the department. “We are excited about the increased income limits because we now have the opportunity to help more Oregon families find af fordable housing,” said Bob Repine, OHCS Director. This increase was made possible by an annual income adjustment recently announced by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop ment (HUD). These figures were released on January 31. For more information about these specific limits, visit HUD’s website at www.huduser.org “The new median income limits will be applied by the de partment on a program-by-pro gram basis according to each program’s unique underwriting and monitoring guidelines,” said Bob Gillespie, Housing Di vision Administrator. The new median family in come limits were approved by the State Housing Council at their meeting on February 22. There is a statewide household income limit and also higher limits for properties being pur chased in the five-county Port land area and Benton County. The new annual household in- come limit Statewide is $48,900. The old limit was $47,800. In Benton County, the new limit is $57,400, up from $55,700 and in Clackamas, Co lumbia, Multnomah, Washing ton and Yamhill Counties, the new limit is $57,200, up from $55,900. These new limits apply to all single-family loans and other applicable multi-family loans re served by OHCS on or after February 22. Oregon Housing and Com munity Services is the state housing finance agency, pro viding financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, afford- able housing for lower income Oregonians. The Department also administers federal and state anti-poverty, homeless and energy assistance commu nity services programs. For more information on the programs and services offered through OHCS, visit www. hes.state.or. us Board achieves consensus on setting some budget priorities From page 1 district’s budget, directors have found it difficult to establish budget priorities. This is particularly important when engaged in the painful process of cutting an already meager budget. While most of the directors appeared ready for the discussion, Krahn said he did not remember being asked to prepare a list of budg et priorities. While the board was at tempting to determine a method of evaluating budget items, Hansen noted that a top priority would have to be fund ing for programs mandated by the state. Krahn disagreed, saying “We’re throwing out the law - if they don't send us a check we’re not going to do anything. We’re going to be rebels.” He stated similar senti ments several times during the discussion. Nevertheless, a majority of the board agreed that the budget process should make every effort to maintain the stu- dent/teacher ratio, counseling services, education alterna tives for at-risk students, devel opment of instruction and cur riculum, and building mainte nance. Funding for extra-curric ular activities and technology received only slightly less prior ity. Maintenance of school grounds and funding for sup- plies and equipment fared less well, even though the board agreed that supplies and equip ment are necessary for instruc tion. Additions to the capital re serve fund, which can be used only for future school buildings, were briefly discussed but also fared poorly. Policy changes made During the business meeting the board amended district pol icy on directory information, to align it with federal require ments, and passed a resolution to approve the services provid ed by the ESD. Parent complaint A parent began to present a personnel complaint to the board, but Chairman Strand stopped the presentation be cause the board has final re view regarding complaints against personnel, and district procedure had not yet been fol lowed. McClellan explained that the board must remain impartial before any unresolved person nel complaints are brought be fore it. The parent needs to file a complaint, in writing, with the superintendent. If he is unable to resolve the issue by working with all of the parties involved, it can then be brought before the board of directors in an ex ecutive session. State law pro hibits the board from dis cussing personnel matters in a public session.
