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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-01 Public Safety Bond Committee Minutes9/16/24, 2:41 PM Public Safety Bond Committee - Public Safety Bond Committee - City of Ashland, Oregon Learn about the City's plan to construct and move the water treatment plant - Clean drinking water is an essential right Agendas and Minutes City of Ashland Public Safety Bond Committee (viewAll) Public Safety Bond Committee Agenda Thursday, April 01, 2010 Minutes Public Safety Bond Committee April 1, 2010 Grove, 1155 East Main 8:00 a.m. View Agenda � Attachments "� Attendence: Machin, Slattery, Walters, Modesitt, Daugherty, Fox, Kramer, Custodio, Dotterer, Boldt, Kenefick, Stebbins, Paul, Seltzer (staff), Karns, (staff) Holderness (staff) Absent: None Guest: Martha Bennett, City Administrator Call to order: Chair Mackin called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. and minutes from March 25 were approved. Committee members asked questions of Bennett: Are general obligation bonds the only way to fund the public safety improvements? Yes. Money was no set aside for capital improvements projects for public safety. Fire and Police are funded through the general fund (property taxes). If funds were set aside from the general fund to finance capital projects the City would have to reduce the level of staffing and services for each v https://old.ashland.or.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=4128&Display=Minutes 1/5 9/16/24, 2:41 PM Public Safety Bond Committee - Public Safety Bond Committee - City of Ashland, Oregon department. GO Bonds are the least expensive with an interest rate of approximately 2%. It is also good to get voter approval for large capital projects. What does the City currently collect in property taxes for the general fund and GO Bonds? (See attached) Why can't these projects be funded with existing revenues? Existing revenues are used to fund existing services and staff. Why can't we live within our means? Bennett answered we can and do live within our means. The capital projects exceed the existing revenues (our means). What is the city's general operating budget for services funded with property taxes and levies? The bulk of property taxes and levies pay for Police, Fire and Parks. A small portion pays for AFN, Municipal Court and Community Development. A Central Service fee is collected from all departments including General Fund department to fund general government (Administration, Legal, Mayor and Council). The current budget provides $9 million in the General Fund. How do we compare with other cities on a "cost per person" for firefighting services? Chief Karns had previously reviewed the operating budgets from the following agencies and determined the cost based on population served: Fire District #3 = $2.51, Fire District #5 = $2.38, Medford = $2.50 Ashland = $2.31 (does not include SOU student population). What is the cost of a firefighter in Ashland? Approximately $150,000 per year including benefits. Are grants available for ladder trucks? Have we applied? Why haven't we received grant funds? Grants are available for ladder trucks. The City applies at every opportunity. Fire has received numerous grants for fire equipment but not for a truck. Chief Karns speculates those resources are allocated to more rural communities. Is there a master plan for the East Main campus? The master plan for the East Main campus is the Facilities Master Plan (FMP). The IMP shows future use of the Grove by the Finance Department, a significantly expanded Council Chambers/Court to accommodate the IT Department and an expanded Police Station. The committee expressed hesitation in recommending the Grove for the PD if the master plan shows other use for the Grove. Bennett explained that moving PD to the Grove frees space in PD for other city department use and does not see this as a problem or conflict with the IMP. https://old.ashland.or.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=4128&Display=Minutes 2/5 9/16/24, 2:41 PM Public Safety Bond Committee - Public Safety Bond Committee - City of Ashland, Oregon Of the three fire capital projects, how would the Fire Chief prioritize them? 1) Station #2, 2) Training Tower, 3) Ladder truck Why isn't there a "shrinking fund" to accommodate equipment needs of the Fire Department? In the past there have not been funds available to set aside for fire equipment. The committee discussed and expressed concern about including GO Bonds on the same ballot (November) as the School District. Committee members were encouraged to write down and bring to the next meeting their priorities and questions so deliberation discussions can begin. Meeting adjourned at 9:30. Next dates: April 15 (architect Ken Ogden) and April 29 https://old.ashland.or.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=4128&Display=Minutes 3/5 9/16/24, 2:41 PM Public Safety Bond Committee - Public Safety Bond Committee - City of Ashland, Oregon Online City Services Email Updates Sign up to receive local important News & Events. A """ Unsubscribe Subscribe Home Water Advisory Mayor/Council Taxes Departments Codes Commissions Archived City Records Web Links https://old.ashland.or.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=4128&Display=Minutes 4/5 9/16/24, 2:41 PM Public Safety Bond Committee - Public Safety Bond Committee - City of Ashland, Oregon Emergency Contact Info Police & Fire, Water, Electric, Red Cross, Jackson County Health, Recology Ashland Sanitary... Let Us Know Name Phone or Email Question or Comment I'm not a robot Submit rECAr TCHA Privacy- 'Ccrrcis ©2024 City of Ashland, OR I Site Handcrafted in Ashland, Oregon by Project A https://old.ashland.or.us/Agendas.asp?AMID=4128&Display=Minutes 5/5