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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2007)
The INDEPENDENT, November 15, 2007 Tree Board plants one for Banks Left to right; Mayor Teri Branstitre, Denise Holme, Levi Eck- hardt, Tami Stewart, Jessica Steward, and Mitty Brady help plant a tree for the Banks Tree Board. The City of Banks reinstated it’s Tree Board, this past Sep- tember, after a few years with- out a board. Tree Board mem- bers are City Manager Jim Hough, Tami Stewart, Mitty Brady, and Dawn Soest. The Banks Fire Depart- ment’s new landscaping was chosen as the place for the first planting. The board worked with the fire department to choose a tree and the Acer Palmatum, or Japanese Maple, was chosen for its beautiful scarlet fall foliage. The board then held its ‘1st Annual Fall Planting’, Novem- ber 10 at the Banks Fire De- partment to plant the chosen tree. Mayor Teri Branstitre was on hand to read a proclamation commending the Banks Tree Board for its superior service to the City and citizens of Banks. Said City Manager Hough, “We encourage tree planting (by the Tree Board) on public proper- ty.” The Tree Board intends to work toward having Banks again designated as a Tree City, as they were in the past. After the newly planted tree was in the ground, and the proclamation read, those in at- tendance were invited to join the Tree Board in refreshments inside the fire department. The next Tree Board meet- ing will be held Wednesday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. in Banks City Hall. The public is welcome to attend. Page 13 Rate study reviewed by Banks council Results of the water rate study were presented by Shaun Pigott at the Banks City Council work session on Tues- day, November 13. The study examined how Banks allocates costs since the last change, in 2002, and identified options for future changes. Currently, 48 percent of rates paid are from the base of $16.65 per ac- count, with 52 percent from vol- ume charge. In September, Council requested a conclusion on rates considering the follow- ing factors: Rates should not reflect any subsidy from the general fund (currently the city includes subsidies in the gener- al fund, an uncommon prac- tice); a look at a targeted capi- tal improvement program, leav- ing the water depreciation fund intact, and revision of ordi- nances to allow automatic an- nual rate adjustments that re- flect cost escalation. A 14 percent rate increase in 2002 was for a water rate budget of $310,000; the water budget currently is approaching $564,000. The city balanced revenues with expenditures in 2002 by using $150,000 from the water depreciation fund, $241,930 in 2006 from timber sales, and $35,000 from the city’s general fund, plus a draw- down of beginning fund bal- ances and transfers of SDC Halloween Costume Contest Winners funds of $67,500 in 2004. “There is no growth to support [using] SDC” funds, Pigott not- ed. Pigott presented six rate op- tions to consider for meeting the 2008 revenue require- ments: 1. Continuing the gener- al fund subsidy with a base rate of $22.46 plus $2.75 per ccf creates an average billing of $30.71, a 32 percent increase over the current rate. 2. Elimi- nate a $35,000 general fund subsidy, change the base rate to $26.50 plus $2.75 per ccf, for an average billing of $34.75, a 49% increase. 3. Adding in- creased personnel costs of $52,000, a base rate of 30.75 and use of $2.96 per ccf, a 70 percent increase. 4. Debt fi- nance the two capital improve- ment projects (master plan and interconnecting well), with no increase in personnel costs, a rate base of $26.50 and $3.11 per ccf for an average bill of $35.83, a 54 percent increase. 5. Fund depreciation at $25,000 (currently $50,000), debt finance the two projects with no increased personnel costs, a base rate of $23.62, and of $3.11 per ccf for an av- erage bill of $32.95, a 42 per- cent increase. 6. No funding of depreciation, debt financing the two projects, not including in- creased personnel costs with a base rate of $20.73, and $3.11 per ccf, for an average bill of $30.06, a 29 percent increase to rate payers. The study showed that the city’s water rates are consider- ably lower than comparable ru- ral city rates for a single-family residence. Mayor Branstitre questioned Pigott and council, “where are we at now?” Pigott responded that it is “…how far council is willing to ramp rates up.” Please see page 14 This Year Give a Gift Subscription to The INDEPENDENT Only $20.00 per year. Call 503-429-9410 Today! Since Since 1976 1976 Just the finest in collision repair Duron Duron Roofing Roofing 503-615-8426 503-615-8426 1st No Custom Work 2nd 3rd 1898 E. E. Main Main St. St. 1898 Hillsboro OR OR 97123-4346 97123-4346 Hillsboro CCB # 36084 Congratulations! CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 Tuesday to Saturday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Mondays 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171 Main Street, Banks PH.503-324-2424
