Ashland to Issue Revenue Bonds to Finance The Construction of The Water Treatment Plant

JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. — Three controversial measures – one addressing Oregon’s drug laws and two seeking to increase taxation on property values – came under the spotlight on ballots for Southern Oregon voter approval.

Rogue River residents voted strongly to outlaw magic mushroom enterprises from operating within city limits, despite a statewide approval of psilocybin operators, while Rogue Community College and Three Rivers School District failed to convince voters to support measures to levy taxes on property values to help finance various projects.

New Local Council Election Process for Ashland

Most Ashland voters have opened the door for a new local council election process.

Measure 15-232 allows candidates to run for any of the three open council seats instead of for a designation 1 to 6-seat position.

Currently, candidates can only seek election against opponents vying for the same seat. From now on, candidates who receive the most votes will win a full-term seat.

Allowing The Municipal Judge to be Appointed by The Mayor And Councilors in Ashland

However, a second Ashland ballot measure failed to gain public support.

Measure 15-233 sought an amendment to the city charter to allow the Municipal Judge to be appointed by the mayor and councilors, instead of by public vote.

Bond Issuance to Finance The Construction of The Water Treatment Plant in Ashland

Measure 15-234 met with overwhelming support, giving the City of Ashland the authority to issue water revenue bonds to finance the construction of a $75 million water treatment plant.

If the measure had failed to attract support, the council would have introduced general obligation bonds, authorizing them to increase property taxes to finance the project.

However, while Measure 15-234 prevents the increase of property tax, it paves the way for increased water tariffs.

Increasing The Mayor’s Term From 2 Years to 4 Years in Gold Hill

Measure 15-235 increases the mayor’s term of office from two to four years and establishes the position of a City Manager. Gold Hill will now revise its city charter from a mayor/council to a council/manager administration.

Rogue River’s Mayor

Measure 15-230 changes the term of office of Rogue River’s mayor and city councilors.

Currently, after serving two terms as a councilor or mayor of four years per term, the elected city official must sit out an election cycle before standing for reelection.

Councilors are also restricted to a maximum of 12 years of service.

From now on, Rogue River councilors will be allowed to serve 16 consecutive years, standing for reelection after each four-year term.

Outlawing Magic Mushroom Businesses From Operating Within City Limits

Rogue River’s contentious Measure 15-231 has outlawed magic mushroom businesses from operating within city limits.

Approved with a substantial majority vote’ psilocybin is legal in Oregon, but cities can elect to refuse magic mushroom businesses from operating within their boundaries by introducing an ordinance to outlaw such operations.

RCC Bond Issuance to Finance Building Projects

Rogue Community College failed to drum up sufficient voter support for Measure 17-119 to approve bonds to help finance building projects, workforce training programs, accessibility improvements, and safety and security.

The voter pamphlet stated that the bond levy rates of $0.13 per $1,000 of assessed property value would continue in Jackson and Josephine counties, with the state providing matching funds of $15 million.

Three Rivers School District

Another attempt to introduce a levy on property values to raise $39 million to re-roof old buildings and to improve safety and security was rejected by the Three Rivers School District.

Measure 17-123 proposed to levy $0.42 per $1,000 on property values to secure a $6 million grant.