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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2003)
■ì & & À §0 sfe’ î d k ' - ^ ' < j .»&. i &ÎTC '¿¡U 4 ' li } À. .*3Sz PRESORTED STANDARD U S. P o sta g e P aid V ern on ia, O R 9 7 0 6 4 Newspaper R o o m -O N P UO Library System - CPS 1299 University Of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1299 ¿5* ** Voi. 18, No. 120 ‘Voice of the Upper Nehalem River Valley’ October 16, 2003 Council starts work on Town Hall ideas Amount of school funding still uncertain Vernonia school board start ed the new school year with the same overriding consideration that ended the old year - un certainty about state financial support. Superintendent Mike Fun- derburg reminded the board, during their September meet ing, that this year’s budget was based on a state school fund appropriation of $4.8 billion, re sulting in serious reductions in every area of the budget. Be cause school funding is unsta ble, the local budget committee developed priorities for “add- backs,” if the appropriation in creased. According to Funder- burg, the legislature agreed upon a minimum of $5.05 bil lion, then, with a three-year in come tax surcharge, raised the total to $5.2 billion. That addi tional amount is now in jeop ardy because of an initiative going to voters in January that would repeal the surcharge. Funderburg explained that the legislation guarantees there will be no reductions to the state school fund this year, re gardless of the outcome of the initiative. Any adjustments needed will be made in the 2004-2005 school year. If the initiative passes, Vernonia will lose up to $400,000, resulting in even deeper cuts than were experienced last school year. Legislative adjustments to PERS also affect the local budget, but the result is uncer tain because of legal chal lenges. In order to protect the district from incurring a large debt, the disputed amount has been added to contingency, Funderburg explained. Any ad ditional funds received, should the state school fund exceed $5.05 billion, will be held in the Unappropriated Ending Fund, which cannot be used during this budget year. Funderburg stressed the necessity of pro tecting the district from the kind of painful mid-year adjustments that had to be made last year. Funderburg presented a list of add-backs that closely par- alled the priorities developed by the Budget Assistance Team (BAT) in the spring and were recently reviewed by members of BAT. Two teaching positions, in special education and in mid dle school, have already been addressed by internal adjust ments in the budget and staff, putting textbook adoption at the top of the list. Funderburg told the board that this was in creased to $10,000, twice the projected add-back, due to un expected needs for books at Mist. Following the priorities es- P lease see page 9 Vernonia City Council, at their Oct. 6 meeting, reviewed the recommendations on law enforcement that were devel oped by citizens during the September 22 Town Hall meet ing. Police Chief Mike Cahill said the recommendations were not in conflict with existing goals for the department, falling primarily into areas of communications and funding. Council discussed potential ways to increase communica tions from the department to citizens, and from citizens to the department. Ideas included developing a way for citizens to ask questions or make com ments - with or without identify ing themselves - followed by responses to their questions or comments. When that process is agreed upon, The INDEPEN DENT will publish the informa tion. Council agreed to a four- year lease-purchase contract with for a new police car. The first year’s payment will be paid by the insurance replacement for the car wrecked in July. The remainder of the contract would require that a little less than $6,000 per year be included in the budget. Chief Cahill said he would rather have good cars than a car for each officer. The Vernonia Grange is ask- Resignation creates School Board need The resignation of Ver nonia School District Director Leslie O’Leary has created a vacancy on the school board which the board would like to fill as soon as possible. Those interested in serving in this volunteer position may pick up applications at the district office. O ’Leary, an accountant, resigned for personal rea sons. ing for a temporary hardship re duction in their w ater rates while they reorganize and try to revitalize the organization. The city attorney was instructed to draft an agreement for review at the next council meeting. Council adopted a modifica tion to the water curtailment or dinance that will allow moving from level to level as the water flow changes in Rock Creek. This will allow staff to initiate or end curtailm ent as needed without Council approval at each change. Public Works Director Robyn Bassett reported a complaint about the city selling water to area residents whose wells have gone dry, when water cur tailment is in effect. The rate to non-residents is $2.50 per 1,000 gallons; City residents pay $1.25/1,000 plus property taxes. Council expressed con cern about health issues if peo ple need water, but requested Bassett to review the outside rate. In other business, council • Accepted the Smart Growth Ordinance, but will re visit it at the Oct. 20 meeting. • Approved, with one absten tion, the Lyon’s Den application to OLCC for a full liquor license; • Accepted a small piece of property for a sidewalk and road on Lakeview Drive, but will not be responsible until the road is completed to City stan dards. • Set a Town Hall meeting on Economic Development, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at city hall. Ichneumon?? Xenophile?? Vernonia women take honors in AARP National Spelling Bee. See story on page 17.
