HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-03-31 Study SessionCouncilS�u�.y Meeting agenda
ISTUDY SESSIGN AGENDA
Monday,,, March 31, 2025
C o u n c i I C h a rn be rs, I 17 5 E,, Ma iiii n Street
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mieeting.i
5:30 p.m.Study,Sess ion
L, PUBLIC FORUM
15 rninutes, — Public input or comment on� City business not included on the agenda
[I., AGENDA 11TEMS,
a. Budget Background - City, Accounting & Fund Structure
�b. Relview City Assistance Programs, for, II. 25-27
G. Budget-Rellated Fees Discussion: Public Safety, Wildfireland Parks Fees
VINT141T "ll
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b,us,iness days before, the meeting wfil enable the City to miake reasonable arrangements to ens,ure accessibfl4,
to the meetingin comjpfiancewith the Americans with DiisaWl 'es Act.
*"Agen4as, an* minutes fior (3ity ofAshland C ouncil, Commissionand Committee meetings, may 4-,e fiound at, th,
City website, ashlandoregp_ Q
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MEME/011
Date �� March, 31 J2025
,SUMMARY
Staff'will provide a, gener,61 overview of how the City of'Ashland is structured in terms of itsfunds and all the
implications around thefuinds that willassist [n better understanding the City"' s budgiet.
POLICTES,PLANS & GOALS SUPPORTED
N/A
The first ina seriels,,thiis presentation will assist in� providing background to the community and the Citizen's
" Jcounting and Fundsare structured. It, will cover basics ariound Budget Committee on hiow the City s Ac
govern ment, accouinting'and specifts, around the City of Ashland"s operationsas it pertains to, itsfinanci,61
operations for theGiveneral Fund, Special� Revenue �Fuinds and Enterprises.,
We will discuiss various relvelnue streams,, such as, Food & Beverageland Transient Lodging'Tax (TLT) and fuinds
.1
that are restricte,ed, committedand uinappropriated. We will also, review concepts suich as minimurn endingi fund
bialance,, systemdelvellopment charges,, intern�,61 cost methiodology,etc.,
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REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS
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Date�� March 31 2025
Review City, Assistance Programs for BjN 25-27'
I'll I I I I I'llill- 11 lim I
Bryin Morrison, Depuitry Financel
eicto,rAdminiistr,a,tio�n���-� Finance, MarJane Berry,,
Financel Director
marian,e.,b,e�rryj@,ash�l��a,ni,d,.o,r.us ...............
,SUMMARY
Staffwill present, a surnmary,of a restructure,d Utility Assistance Program based ondevelopments arouind the
budget and council priorities.
POLICIES,, PLANS & GOALSSUPPORTED
A,dmi�nist'rativ,e/Geirnance,Gi,oal:��
PI
"'Toens'lure ongoing fiscal abilityto provide desiredand requMM reevel.
gal, 11
• AshlanLow, Income Energy Ass,,istance Progiram, (ALIEAP)
• Assists low, -incorne residents with 5,0% reduction of electric bi[l
• Based on 65% of Oregon's m is iiiinclorne
• Only October 1 through January 31
• Maximum $300 credit,
• ;fie ins iur/Cali sab!ied Ultfli'bes Discount
o Year-round discount for income-quialified persions ale 65 lor,,ol,er,,,quia,liiiified disabled per age 60
orolder.
* 20% or 30% off uitility, charges: electricl water, sewer',' street uiserl storm ditn
* Fused o n 125 %, a n d 10 0% be low, fed e ra I pove rty, I eve I , res pe ct i ve I y
• Emergency HEAT Ass,istancie
* $100 toward pastduie balancelonce per 12-month period
* 150%, belowfederal poverty level
Low Incon*, Entray,Assirstanict
48,�,5
S 2,88,,C)12 5, &F,C Z31" S
S 170 t, "I'll S
463" 477 4 LRA 5 11, 9 5145
961,614 S 8 4, 25,,, � S 91,69,5, S I Vxi� 3 1�,' 0 S '1 11 2,E'lf,'2Ei 97,470 S t,
$
Proufami
C'Vr en" 6�' '174 118111 195 216 223, 7 2K3,
V. 50,,'2285 5j:5,,A8'7 AR3, S T3,527 '154),�$S'Q $ `FS, ll F'J5 V 35AA $ 1ID,1,1181,48 CASIStAI'led �0' 4D 1,51"'51,
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FY 044 FY 207 PY2M FY,20
r 200
'',22,
F11,",2, `2
M`20,22
F M4
I 'Y"
Assisbaice ft",smn
AcW Act,
A uaf AcAu l
'et a
Actu all
Acbuil,
AcW Adu at,
Ad, just
Low hicoine EmergyAssiltancee
CV Inewr".
517
485
463,
47(n
4,988
5TI9
!A5
5164N5
1,, 7
Dhvt-b*,� dl�
S,
S
1156,6114 S
84,253
S
S 109,3 10
$S 11,2�6 S
1'?, 4 70,
$ 't �N,), 7,40
1,70 $
11"M
211, S 207 $
IT3,
$ 206
Sonifor/Disabit(I Progrann
ICII/A
1
!7
181
196,
21S
237'
2613
218
12 111
Dembvl* dd
45, 5 22 3, S,
50,285, S
487 �'S,
165431,37RO
$ 73,527
SI R),482
S, %6,878, '51
111-8j�A,
S 0 1 -4,
la Average rel ielpp I�cant-lran y .....................
S
')*7 S,
1114$goll",Slll'''I
IM $ 30, S,
fy,201$ FY2W Fy2WI Py
FY 2M
F 20"
Fly 1120V '120
PY20",
044n, I, i AsW41"ce Pm9gram
AdvO Actumi
AoWil AdW
AaW
AcWtI
AcbW AcW
Ac*uW
Low I monit Energy,hsil $IUI' It-*
CV,
7
417
498,
5 Tsi
!A45,
,.
%13
�q,' " "y
DRI'VIT"blAbIl
S 881,0111"2",
8 $1
il'Mri, 6 11 4 S
84,253
S 9 1 , E5,56
S 71, D 310,
S, 1, 1'12,65,265 S
`1�1?7,4'T�),
S
1170 S
IN
III
17171
$ 114
"S' 2,11
S 297 S
IT) St
Senivt (FID'I'Sabled Program
;C,',,,r en,
1
1!,74
1181
21116
2Y
21663,
ZIP
Vklll
Diovrrtwed
$ 41',5i,523 S
11 ,2?8;,,5,
5j:5,4,8�7 S
601700
$ T3, f2
es 0,48,3211
$ 'I40r1f, M
Y y
Average rtfielfapp�Jcaflt a
Z76 1
2�8,9, S
M117 $I
314
S 30
$ 3u,�
M
X
ff
MW
F 2M
FY,2W ,20
"2MI
0"n, I,AssIsNoce Pm9gram
AdvO Actumi
AoWil AdW
AaW
AcWtI
AcbW AcW
Ac*uW
Low I nuonit EntsgyAm"J'su"'a
CV,
'511, 7
M!"16
417
498,
5 Tsi
!A45,
%13
D�zIrt%,ftd,
S 881,0111"21 S
"Cly,63' S
&51,, 6 14 "Si,
84,253
S 9 1, E5, 56
S 109,310,
S, "i 12, 16`2 16, f S
97,47TO
S 'I C6,"74D
t'", S
187 S
17171
$ 114
"S' 2,11
S 297 S
IT) St 2",
Swivt (FID'I'Sabled Program
;C,',,,r en,
1
1!,74
1181
21116
237"
21663,
ZI B 1
Vklll
Diovrrtwed
$ 41',5i,523 S
11 ,2?8;,,5,
5j:5,48�'7 SS
601700
$ T 5 2
es , 4882
i4n,878
0, Ij ,
140rIf, 1,M,
z'
'Average re �Jcaflt-faftg y
Aiellapp
Z76 1
2�8,9, S
M117 $I
314
S 30
$ 3u,�
M
36,12,
*#
111"IM&M-1 MOO �= =## 1-1- =I- offamazi MRIM
Year-round, versus ALIEAP's program for only thel winter montbs
Based on� qualified low, -incorne customers, us,ingan� agreed upon elligibility marker, such as, GHP or SNAP
for ease of'processJ'ng, or use our own.,,
1-1 Use of cons,ervation� funds of $200K, per year for RN 25-27, in� additionto the current budget of
approximately $195K, allocated for AUEAP andthiel senior discount.
FISCAL IMPACTS
Fisc4l impacts includethel increlaze of Utility Assistance fdr, the next biennium us,ing,existing conservation funds.
II
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REFERENCES ATTACHMENTS
TS
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WEEM/0"
Date March, 31 ll 2025
lug udget-Relate,d afety,,
Wil[dfire and Parks Fees,
--------------
a
B S tbrina Cloi Mariane eorrry, Finance Direc,
sabri��n��la.,Colftla@a ,,.uis,,
marian,ee�rryj@,ash�l��a,ni,d,.o,r.us
,SUMMARY
Llike othier, cities in Oregon,, overall governmental expendituresfor the City of Ashland continue to, rise rnore
quickly than revenuesi. This patteirn is antidipated to exacerbatel in the coming bienniumdue to econornic violatility
at the national level, slignifibant increases, to health care and pension costs, restribbons ion general fund relvenue
siources and likely Mn_ in federal grantfunding.
T�hisagenda itelm will focus on the Public Safety Feel,, As�hland Forest Resiliency, Fee and a, plotential Park Fe,etio
supplort maintaining General Fund s,erv,ic,es at current, levels over the next ennium., The discussion will include
hisitioric4l ciontext, city comparabiles,, and levels of service.
POLICIES1 PLANS & GOALSSUPPORTED
Ad��mi�nistra,t�iv,eh/Gove�rn,ancie GloaI
"'Toenslure ongoing fiscal abilityto provide desliredand required serv,icesatanacceptable level.7
Visibnand Va[u�ies
Community,
Quality, of lifethiat underpins, the City seconomic vibrancy
Organization
Excellence in� governance and city, services,
Sustainability through crea,hill viity,''a,fforda,biiiiliityI and rightsized serv'ice delivery,
Public safety,, iinl lludiiiing,eim�,eirg,enicy, preparedness for climate chi anige risk
Quality, infrastructure andfacilities through timely maintenance and community investment
N ZYAIN FAJ� In l Ilk, Off L
IL
,WIWI
Alkil
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Also wort1iiniiiis, that last couple bienniums, the Gity received C'ovid grants and othier state grants that will not
be availablefor government services in this,, coming bienIns ium.'These large grants helped fUndgeneral
over ment, operations and specifically services for the unhoused.
Generat FUnd-, Expenditures
FY 210,214
Parks,
14%,,
5%
FYIWI
81%
j I i c t
Ort ir Adry, in is, rat iooiri,
1% MOW,
7%
City Reciol,rdtmr,
1%
P161. ce
19%
Fire & Rescuie
Fire & Rescue represents the largest costs, to our Gieneral Fund at, 31% of total General Fund expenditures. Firel &
Rescue includels Operations,, Life & Safety'', Wilddfire Utigation, and Emergency Medic4l Services., This depart�rnent
has, seen the highest increase in costs year, over year due tothel additi6n of Firefighter and single-rolel EIVIS roles
in� the FY24 budget. Thiel addes in the last bJenniurn have add ressed the ca[l violume needs,for
Ashiland, and,, over, thel long run,, the divis,ion� has thel potential to grow Ambulance Revenue that, will aid in� funding
the department.
Po[ice
Police represent 19%j of the General Fund expenditures. Mile our police force has not grown significantly sinc,
2017, the personn6l costs, impacting a[l departments - including cost -of -living djustments, increases to pensio
ase,
ciosts,''and increlstio health care costs �- have increased over the years., I
a
Pairks, & Rjec�reafioni Parks & Recreation represented 14% of,Gieneral Fundexpenditure in FY24, the third costliest progirarn after
Police. Since 2,015Ashiland park acreage has increased by 169 acresJora total of'81 1 acres and has added
miles, oftrails,,, bringing the total to 53 miles, in'thel AsIhiland,trail system., The City has struggledto identify and
maintain a dedicatedfunding medhanism for Parks & Recreation operations, historJcally rnakingthie Parks,
Department most vulnerable to cuts during,dificult biludget cycIMINK. s.
General Fund'Fee Revenues
PublJc Safety Fee
ln� Apri] 2017, thel City Council voted toapprovel the hiring offiveaddition,61 police III with, the intent to
develop funding mechanisms later. Ultimately, funding was identifiedfor 3 officer positions. Today,, thatfunding
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only covers the cost of 2.5 officer, positions, and additional funding i'iiis ineededfor supplofting current, ambulance
service levels.
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0 :Ax 0 'Eno wom"Immonno rm
01 0 1
Looking forward if the desire is, to maintain� the single -roll EMS, program at its current levelan� inc�rease in thle
plublic slafiety feel is necessary.
Asiftland Flo,rest Rjeslilibncy �Fee
The Ashland Forest Resiliency (AFR) is, a, partnership program that, brings, many, stakehiolders together to,
decrease fire risk in the Asihiland watersifted. Historically,, this, wilork, has majorJty been funded through large-scale
grants,, with the City coveribigall or some of the costs, of City,employees dedicatedtio the prograrn.
Ila
Looking forward, if the desire is to, maintain tw, o dedicated staff peilople inthel wildfire divislion and continue
I
giation� work v,ersus education only, work,, an increasle [n the AFR fee is neces,sary.,
Pairks, Fee
Ashland has, no -dedicated funding sourcefor Parks &I Recreation operaa incorporated
a Parks, fee to, address the increasedand ongioing maintenance oficity parks. Looking forward ifthel desire is 'tio
maintainthel curr,ent level ofparks, and move forward with, the development, oe current
level ofs,enior, center services the establishment of a, parks feel is necessary.
Flees ib Other J�u�dsldicfio,ns
The following table prov,idesa comparative analysis of neighboring jurJsdictilons.
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CITY COMPARMIli VES Ashtan d Medford, Centra I Pt. Tatent Grants Pass
am=
2 2, 0' 86 84o,423 1%918 5,o228 34ol"12
Fees, Public Safety 1.5,0 $
16.0 7'
2. GO $
4.00
12.36
IP'arks, 0.010
5,35
6.00
8.43
01.00,
'W gill dl f i re 3.00
0.00
0.00
0�.1010
01.00
4,50
21.42
8.00 $
'12.43
12.36
�Plotjce
39.00
130.70
31.00
10.65,
57.00
Flire
47.00
108.20
0.00
0.00
31.010
lParksll
37.00
70.00
7,15
4.00
28.010,
Pirk s.Acreage
8,11,
2!,22,7
not avaitaible
36,
NUmber of lParlks
20
37
9
�n ot ava i Ll a b Ite
24,
r,aft's
53
notavailable
notavailable
mtavailabIli"
notav,ailair te
Notes: Cent,'ral Poiint FTE data based m 20121 ACIF8, all. ellse were, pultedfrani tlht �most current AUR.
Tallent Parks FTE derilvelld from, avalltabte reportingg,
OTAER RELE"I"ArIT lAFO,RffiATIOl%
The City Council has identified livability and ecionomicdelvellopment as, key a,relas, for thel community rnoving
forward. Public safety and thel Parks,and Recreation Department will continuel to bel key elements in these
identified prJoritiels.,The 2,5%j ofthe Food & Beverage (F&B)tax currently gio,es tofund the Parks CIP Fundfor
capltal� improvements and property purchases. The F&B ballot rnelasure in �May 2023, had it be,en approved by the
vioters,, would hiave assisted in funding overa[l Parks qperationsand maintenance, prov,id��inijgi,fl��,exibiil�i��ty in spending
andthel capabilities to, me,et natural inflationary pressures.
.1
Finally, Ashland prioDuel to, this,, ittakes multiple Parks employe,es, to provide
mainteinance for city, parks than it would withthel us,e of'herbicides.,
FISCAL IMPACTS
Reasonable increase andestablishmentof fees iiiis lneeded to con tinueto provide current services and balance the
bludget.
SUGGESTED ACTIONS MOTIONS ANDIOR ORTIONS
Staffis, presentingdata, to Council to potentially return for theadoption of a resiolution to increase the public s,afbt
and wildfire f6ed establishiing a, parks feel. I
REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS
1., Resolution 2018-09-Setting the Public Safety Fee dedicatedto the General Functivies relating to, public
safety ogerations
2. AF R—Re sol u iolnl S i g n ed-20 19-2 0
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"E"Ijt�, , 'I ,`(IJ VION NO. 2018-09
P'LJ'Bl
A RESOLUTIONSETTING T11E LI(',.], SAFE, fY StIPPORTFEE
"
DEDICATED TO GENERAL FUND A.Crr'I'VITI',.ES'R,EL,,A,,T',I"NG,,,'TO PBLIC"Ll
SAFETYOPE- �`�';'EALING` RESOLUTION 20,17 19
"RAT10"N"IS.- AND REP
A. The, C 'i" t"y, o "f A s, h], a tivd! o p eriatt e s wa, t e r ai,"t d c I c ct r, ic tj t i I 'I, I I', c S, it 0, p r o, v i d c al 1, 1 r s, 1 d e 'n t 411 a I
elfectric anid, water s rVACC, WI`thj`1nIlhv C`i�y of A.,sIltd.
B. I"'lic t iiinuains a plofice nJ firc- department flitol s"tt,"I've 'to pr,(:,,ilv`dc cxcellentand
I
f"UH service en"itt-gemi,cy servi,cestothe col:tnr rdity.
adl,,,'� "ALI' 'll
Gl dstaffing of (lie p(,,)J5,cc depail,,-il�ivnt has, not stibstati,t"ally, d, *� '1'� I'lle pil s t
ty "I r 28 swor"111 ofticers.,
yea"I'lls IT14,11ining itt"It,
D
he, last 'l ype-irs 1,'rom . 'The residentla] populat'llan, ofthre G"ity ofAshlaild hastrilcreased'in, t, l 41 C, Z, "
lilplproxrftiatelly 15,0100, to appTOX1,1111ittely 2 1,000.
411
E. `Thcamwal tourist polipti,lil,tioni, in the:,Clit),, ofAshIlliand 'Hil the last 20 years has grown fro, mn
2110 000, to 320,000.
F. Wifficurretit st"t-,iffing the pcflice depart"Inent"is, struggling to, provide the h1lighliest I'level of
11 ing sysItetTilto lic sattle''t support
G . .. ... tJ n `Iit ex'st"l clectric itid water Wh charge aj,,,id collect a pull,)
g 'y
,f' fc 011.1 elcoricaccountsts an eqt'rilaabic �,,,tndr a,, sjonable wayl o,f,geticrating additionair v, cri, u c V r
ttvc c"'I"Ay, fl� sl geit'itra'.1f fUrtd, allow ng lto the cl , ty,to betterfid,nd, public saf6ty rcsfources.
W 11 exclurs", ft(ind publi*c s;�"L%y, PC m d,
11. Fluiids generitted throllIgIl ii s ass,cssmuent i, "I'vt J
ii'let tvi t t. e s
T A (`vItTY'0,F,7 ASBILANI,') AS, F0,11,11,I)Ws''.0,
n f
SECTION L A Public Slafi ty Support Fee ol"SO shall be charged eachum th to, ea,&Ii City 01
ve water metler., Ashlailid, luttfity, cuslorn,er, accotmtt, with an,icfi
11' 1110111,11,to� eaci "tty
C'I1"I0Nl "I' A, Pubtic Slal"ely Stipport Fcle o,f'$'l .50 slia''I becbarged cac'
lAsli,J'and t,,ttilify Nxxl,'it]l a n active electric meter.
SEGY10N a, util,itry customer accolujitincludes botll an actrive watcrmd,
�r, bl,(,�)th, es.,I l st-tal I apipl'y, anild 'be chlar cid.
"Icat"ons, w',111,
al be cliarged oii ;,i I I iu the
I A I -e SEC"I"110''N 4�4 Plubfic Saf ty Stud I itc class'l
dectricand
Fee s,"- al] bc ad usted, down seini-ami"uti,
orl" 11 Ily de lendent On.
1�, ..,ty Stipp p
SECTION 5. "I"Iiie Rub,J]"ciStai-c L
al 1,41 , t1l,11(j.
poloperty, tax, collections, and/or ongoing opler"Ettion,all elfl,ciien,cltes in, ot her-Generi
Dlepart,,met'ils.
wasdIul,111Y PASSED E'Dlthts dlay of
R,esoIu,fi(:)mr,i'No,i, 20,18-
Page 1 il of 14
2 1
,,01,8,, mmdt'lik"es efflct on, July 1.
t Me
I-ecorder t S'sa tl uhal -a,, C R
h
lay of' 2018,
Sl(,"J'NED and
..... .... .. . .... .....
.... . .. ... ...
el
IL
.. .........
j�,?YStromb�-rg, Mayor
Reviewed , as
00
Davi,d, H,, Lohman, "itly, 'Attol-mey
Pagile 12 of 14
- - - -- . ............
13
14
1 .5
16
1- 7
18
1 19
20
22"
23
24
25
�w
26
27
28
R .111
U]CSOLUTTON NO,,, 2019-20
A
Ei E"'XI "UNNG SURCHARGE TO
A, RESOLUTION I
WATER MIETERSFOR 'U'U"IE PURPOSt-14 (W ("w"ENERATINC11, AND
DEDICATINGD
G"ENERAL FUND RESI�10't JRCESFOR A, DITIONAL
"S"IL11""ACYAND WILDFIRE
WORK ASPART OF ASHLAND FORES1, R It
SAFE'rYPROGRAMS,
im
A
ti.fity- to pc, . The City o4""' Ash] and,o per,"Ittes Ashtand Water U rovilie to at to
C, u, s It oni, e",-,1,& S"I N litii-its of Aslila,:n"d, to certai,ii.,custome rs otitsi,lde ofthese
1), 0 u ndmll 1"- i C S.
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TI m . De "arty of As,h,l,a,n,d,c-ilso,,ii,,i,a,n,ag s,i a D,`,v"s*on. thzi, 's, charged Mth', do* rk tc
. ...... Iing ",,io
I
Protect the wateilmshed a,'tid com-tintnIty., The Ashland Forest'Resiljency- (AFR)1 mid A17R
e I Fthe M, arttiient
Alf-lan-ids Progra,,tii 'its "jN"tr"t ol that dIVIS10,11 'IS OV, rs',I'111, rf,`(m-i�icd J:)N re D e,P
PC I
I -e eneral I q"u'lld.
t
I'a utries
1 t ''t I The AY R,, program, S SUCCeSS, in, the �vatensh,,ed, and Nv 11' dl and L,,jr)a,n, n,"ile't , ce req
A - I , -ml- ai,Id Imainta" I -
addluonal fundit"ig estitiri,(ci-ted at $377,500 per year to ft,,rjAth,L til the work, doti.e
1, A .1 11 -14 1111
vale I'Ll 111,U111C] "Et ;i I, y
to date acros,,.c,; &I-(I.I.I Pri nd i C S St'r, 'I t, S,\,Nvater
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I
Cmd, 1,14.2 'incil pro,perty saf�ty mis's,11"o"n.,
uti l'i ty
R
-L,,,itionlship tothe Cit,� IN I C I M prolectilon, ofthe waters1ied, and conimunitv has, a direct rela,t] r"s abRity
to provide potable waterto customersi,,i."i the alliournts needed in su'.t7l ctient qL.Iantities,
al
4, w1mved byth,,e size arid use of the water n�'� ter.
''fig SUL I uti j,ty, customer, I a 1'
E. Increas-ing, 'the exist"I rcliarge n WE"I'ler L Hi meters 's a rie sonable ii,e.aj,'is,
I(I Wi I d."tire D t v, j, s, e
of'ffil,i.di,,Illg,i,',,.,iicreas,ed", oj'i,golng MR, arid I lon work Iri. th'at th
ng sorce is, rationa.I I e1al.gym d, to It he ol, of urM te qa01fit,ty amd, em, I It"III I'l
ty,
15or tfiC C i ty.
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I
firc saf �v- 'pro g narn, -C,,,i;,,c"t1'V'1*t t1le,(.eneral F I
,j 1"' ASHLAND RES01 Nt"S AS 1�`OLLOWS,
SEX.V1111 P
"i �rd,ilent " n, eter SUIT"'11 Te on er x'1-i"b`I.
1"U'"per, equlil'I I
s lu" -11 J provids af "Ind.11.19
,fll headded lilor thty to, the Nil ofeach Ashland, water ut'lity CUSIO'llerto
f �" IN, '14 ,!*
1011,
re sottre e d irectly to the G eneral tf, un C 1,"t re D epartrri etit ,, a. n,d "W" d f I D I V 1, S forthe purpose of
'I've
-7*,ar ef-T ct*
added M-Ihl.and, Forest Res'llieti.cv, and relzited wildfire sa1,"'&t"v,Njvork of $377,500-pler Nre
July 1,
S E C44 ()'"N' 12. "11w, surchiarge re'vellue is 1 a i an,d s to be
not subiect, to any, fnam,ch* se e caliCtIll, t, 1.01 1
4
di"Tectly dieposited to fli,e (,jetiera,l f und, alil"counted fl)r sc, tart
ua
r ts, su,rc
SEC. rION I Water ni.eters for I tly a,,,n,d Park-s departmeltit Care exempt d, f om, th huge
sInce lev-rjingthils charge"rot-11,i(:1 ly requ-j"T, pa"S'Sitig the impact 0,.nto Custo"I"I"I'et-S (hrougb offier
ate'S cand feles.
'Resollumon N,(.),. 2019-20
W-11
,2
3
4
5
6
12
13
1, 4
1, 5
'19
,2 0
21
,22
2 '3
24
2
m
It'hi s, 1,8 It h da v, o ne, 2 0, 19, arid, take si e
ires,(
I'lls S ") 1, ttlibll
ti,pot'l, t s "ng'' bv-lhe ,
Cily, Recor(,,Jer
j OV'
alt'�i'cl' EMbi's I Klth day o,'f' 2019.,
tty Attorney
2,019-20
44
.Jjo'',,in III tfarnberg, N° ,,tyor
m
From: noreoly(cbcivici2lus. com
To: Ashland City Recorder
Subject: Online Form Submittal: City Council Public Testimony Form
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025 12:01:52 PM
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
City Council Public Testimony Form
Public Testimony
Use this form to submit public testimony for City Council meetings. Testimony is
accepted for both general public forum items and agenda items. This form must
be submitted by 10 a.m. the day of the meeting to be on the record. Public
testimony will be included in the agenda packet.
If you wish to speak to the Council in person at a meeting, you must fill out
a Speaker Request form available on -site. Do not use this form.
Full Name Nancy K Boyer
Meeting Date 3-31-25
Email Address
Are you a City of Yes
Ashland resident?
Indicate if you want to Written
provide written
testimony, or if you
want to speak via
Zoom.
Indicate if you would Agenda Item
like to speak during
Public Forum or for an
agenda item.
If speaking on an More Fee's
agenda item, indicate
which item.
Written Testimony
Gooday.. Last council meeting, I watched councilors struggle
(Leave this section
with the proposed water rate increases, and looking for ways to
blank if you are
ease rate hikes in slow slowly and overtime. One counselor
requesting to speak
stated 42% of Ashland our renters were struggling to pay their
rent or their utilities,many on unlimited budget. Council then
electronically.)
instructed public Works to come back on April 15 with
suggestions regarding these water rate increases.
At the close of the meeting, our City Manager implied that
Ashland may have to give up some of the services that people
are accustomed to in our town. We could do that as we are
resilient. I had hoped, that this meant Ashland `s budget would
not rise and we would learn to live within our means. Just as
many residence are now learning to live within their means!
Now study session for Monday night 3-30 1-25, our City
Manager is requesting MORE fees, to support our parks! How
many more fees can we add to our utility bills I ask? Are these
fees really? Essential.?
While watching the Park meetings, I never hear them speak of
living within their budget, only requests for increases, more
FTE`s, CIP`s for more land acquisition, and they requested
budget of $15,060,235., an increase of 8-9%! All the while they
received the third largest portion of our general fund.
APRD mtng 1-25, directors report for the E. Main St., Park was
5.3 million in the master plan while they only had 2 million, and
street improvements to the park were $750,000. As I understand
the $1 million grants for the E. Main St., Park Pump Track along
with the resurfacing of tennis courts at Hunter Park need to be
matched by 40%. Also when the report and I'm guessing they
were referring to the pump truck, they needed to get that bid out!
But requested an FTE for the park!
I along with many other love our parks and people come from all
over to enjoy these parks, however... The fees are only put on
the backs of the citizens of Ashland many struggling as I have
mentioned.
People across our great country are watching as many of our
departments are being cut by DOGE. Will this eventually affect
many of our expensive projects? Do we need a DOG type
Committee? Make Ashland Great Again?
Many are concerned, will they get their next Social Security
check, how far will the stock market fall, will their IRA
contributions be gone? How will all of us live and manage our
money all the while watching leaders suggest more "FEEs"?
Please counselors and Administration, do not put any more
unnecessary , nor essential fees up on we citizens! Think about
ways to maintain or reduce our budget in these uncertain times.
Best,Nancy K Boyer
Btw, last year our Budget season started on March 9 and was
followed by meetings on 4-27, 5-11, 5-18, and 5-28. This year's
budget meetings have been reduced to only three. Why? These
important CBC meetings were televised for all to watch. Will this
be the same this year hopefully.
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