Ashland Voters To Decide On Water Treatment Plant Financing In Ballot Measure

ASHLAND, Ore. — Following a vote to approve a $75 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to finance the relocation of the city’s water treatment plant, the Ashland City Council faced opposition- including a petition.

As a result, the decision will be put to voters in November under Measure 15-234.

Ashland City Council Measure 15-234: Relocation Of Water Treatment Plant

Decisions on infrastructure and funding of projects are routinely made by the City Council and usually don’t need a public vote. Ashland mayor, Tonya  Graham confirmed that the decision on obtaining a loan to relocate the water treatment plant had received significant pushback. As a result, a ballot measure was introduced.

Ballot measure 15-234 would give the City authority to issue revenue bonds for the loan. Still, these would only be payable from water system revenues, not the City’s general obligations. Ballot Question 15-234 is:

“Should the City be authorized to issue up to $75,000,000 in revenue bonds to finance construction of water system improvements?”

The ballot measure can be found here: (See PDF)

Opposition To EPA Loan To Finance Water Treatment Plant Relocation

The people who approve the measure said the city has a responsibility to ensure the community has access to safe drinking water.

Because the current plant is in a space vulnerable to fires, earthquakes, flooding, and landslides, it would be better to relocate the plant. They say the proposed funding would cost residents less in the long run.

Concern over the lack of Post-Pandemic cost assessments has been raised by opponents of the loan. Six 10% increases in water rates for residents over the next six years may arise from the bond and opponents said they felt they should have been informed and consulted before the decision was made.

Comments of a slippery slope of public spending were made and there are fears the increases could easily push residents out of the city.

Graham said that because of the president’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, this is the best time in decades to go forward with grant proposals.