HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-17 Rogue Valley Heritage Special District
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASHLAND
APPROVING A JACKSON COUNTY SPECIAL ORDER TO INITIATE
FORMATION OF THE ROGUE VALLEY HERITAGE SPECIAL
DISTRICT AND CONSENTING TO THE INCLUSION OF CITY
TERRITORY WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE DISTRICT
RECITALS:
A. The Jackson County, Oregon, Board of Commissioners intends to form a county heritage
special district under the authority of Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 198.705 to 198.955 and
358.442 to 358.474. The name of the proposed special district is the "Rogue Valley Heritage
District" (hereinafter "District"). The proposed District would have the powers generally
identified in ORS 358.44 to 358.474 and the powers listed in ORS 358.466, including,
without limitation: operating and maintaining heritage sites and structures; acquiring and
preserving property of historical interest, historical objects, and materials and documents of
historical importance; and establishing and maintaining programs for heritage societies
within the District.
B. The governing body of the District shall be a board of five members to be elected by the
electors of the District as required by ORS 358.448, and the board members shall be elected
at large by position number as allowed by ORS 358.456(1)(b).
C. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners may initiate the formation of the District by
adopting an order under authority of ORS 198.835. The Board proposes to include all county
territory within the boundaries of the proposed District.
D. Jackson County voters will be asked to establish a permanent property tax rate limit of $.05
per $1,000 for the District's operations as authorized by ORS 358.466(4) and 358.468.
E. Pursuant to ORS 198.835(3), the territory of the City may only be included within the
boundaries of the District if the City Council adopts a resolution approving the proposed
County order initiating the formation of the Rogue Valley Heritage District. The proposed
County order is attached hereto as exhibit A.
F. Currently, funding sources for the various museums, historical societies and heritage
organizations within Jackson County are not stable and are declining. Formation of a heritage
district will secure a permanent source of funding for the services, programs and activities
provided by these entities to the citizens of Jackson County and the City.
G. The City Council believes creation of a Jackson County heritage district will benefit all city
residents for the following reasons:
• A stable revenue stream will allow museums, historical societies and heritage
organizations in Jackson County to continue to provide the following services, programs
Page 1 of 2
and activities that are important to our community:
o Jackson County heritage societies and museums preserve and are responsible for over
3 million unique and priceless artifacts, documents and photos reflecting the history
of the region;
o Jackson County heritage societies and museums operate two research libraries used
by students, researchers, writers and the general public. The historic books and
records preserved by the heritage societies and museums provide important resources
for citizens and scholars, making available to the public materials that are not
maintained by the County library system or university libraries; and
o The educational activities and programs of the heritage societies and museums
enhance the curriculum of public and private schools and institutions of higher
learning.
• A stable revenue stream will allow museums in Jackson County to increase the hours
those facilities are open, giving incentive for visitors to stay longer in the County and
increase tourism spending on local goods and services, such as food, lodging and
incidentals.
THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Ashland, Oregon, hereby consents to the inclusion of all the territory
of the City within the boundaries of the proposed Rogue Valley Heritage District, and approves
the Jackson County Board of Commissioners' proposed order initiating the formation of that
District in substantially the form attached hereto..
This resolution was duly PASSED and ADOPTED this -7 day of , 2016,
and takes fect upon signing by the Mayor.__
J
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder
SIGNED and APPROVED this 0 day of , 2016.
J h Stro erg, Mayor
Reviewed as to form:
J
Dav H. Lohman, City Attorney
Page 2 of 2