20 October 2015
Most tax bills increase about three percent
177-thousand property tax statements began going out in the mail yesterday to property owners in Lane County. The total tax bill: $478-million.
That’s up 3.1 percent from last year says Assessor Mike Cowles. Most of that increase comes from the statutory three-percent increase in assessed values.
Lane County will keep less than ten-percent of the money collected. That’s because there are 83 other taxing districts that rely on the money for operations. Those include cities, school districts, water and fire districts and other types of agencies.
Voters in other parts of Lane County did approve some new taxes this year. But none are being levied on this side of the Coast Range.
If your tax bill is paid along with your mortgage, the lender will get the bill and you’ll receive a copy.
Cowles said you can save money on your tax bill by paying it in full by November 15th. Do that and you can save three-percent.
City Manager evaluation process begins
Her first anniversary on the job is still more than five months away, but the annual evaluation process for City Manager Erin Reynolds is already underway. She said the City Council will discuss the process Wednesday morning during a special work-session.
Erin Reynolds – “They’ve been working on putting together a more robust evaluation process. And one facet you’ll see is at the very end is it clearly highlights the seven council goals that have been laid out in our work plan.”
Reynolds believes she’s done a good job since taking over March 1st.
Erin Reynolds – “I think so. We’ve been working really hard on making sure that we’re focused on their goals. We’ve put a lot of effort into economic development and city services while maintaining good financial sustainability.”
In addition to beginning the evaluation process Wednesday, the Council will also talk about possibly making some changes to regulations after feedback from the city’s code enforcement officer and department heads.
The council work session is ten AM, Wednesday at city hall.
Arts and Humanities to focus on film
An overview of major changes over the years in the film industry will be presented this week as part of the Siuslaw Public Library’s celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month.
City Lights Cinemas co-owner Michael Falter will talk about how the film industry has been shaped by movie houses over the years. And also how the movie houses have been affected by the industry.
Library spokesperson Lynda Green says Falter will “share his passion”, along with his knowledge of the film industry.
In addition to owning City Lights with his wife Susan Tive, he also teaches film and is the program director for the Pickford Film Center in Bellingham, Washington.
He and Tive also helped co-found Art House Convergence. That’s a group focused on the quality and quantity of art house cinemas in North America
Falter’s talk is Friday, noon, at Siuslaw Public Library.
Western Lane Community Foundation Grants
The grant application cycle is open for money that will be distributed next year by the Western Lane Community Foundation. Grants will be awarded to qualifying non-profit organizations in the areas of education, medicine and science, the arts, and social and civic services.
The foundation has been distributing cash to such causes for more than four decades. Last year’s awards totaled more than $90-thousand.
Information and applications for the grants can be found at the group’s website.
Community Dinner of Thanks
Preparations for this year’s annual community Thanksgiving Dinner are already under way. Florence Kiwanis underwrites the expenses and also provides most of the labor; but additional volunteers come together to help prepare, serve and cleanup. Last year nearly 500 people partook of the dinner. It will be served once again at the Elks Lodge on 12th Street.
It’s free and open to anyone.
Donations of non-perishable food will go to Florence Food Share.
