School District Looks for School Levy Extension
Voters in the Siuslaw School District will be asked to renew a “local option” tax levy in the November General Election. The Siuslaw School Board approved the referral of the measure to voters last week. Siuslaw Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak says, if approved, it would not increase tax bills, but instead would continue a levy that has been in effect since 2009. Grzeskowiak says it’s been an important source of funding.
“The levy has provided roughly 8.5% of the schools operating budget.”
He also says, if approved, it is estimated that it would generate just over $8.5 million over the next 5 years. The median value of homes in the district is just under $220,000, which equates to approximately $163 per year.
Homless Shelter On Tonight’s Agenda
Dilapidated or broken down rv’s and campers could be severely limited on Florence city streets provided the city has an adequate alternative. That conclusion comes from Florence’s City Attorney Ross Williamson in a letter that is included in this evening’s agenda materials for the special meeting of the Florence City Council. Willimason says that Oregon statute ORS197.746(3) gives the city an out when it comes to the amount of public spaces it must provide for parking. A permanent homeless shelter would fill that requirement. Public backlash about the shelter has been heard by the city council and it will make some kind of decision on the future of a proposed shelter this evening. In a second memo to the city council Williamson addressed the question of putting the measure on the ballot for a citywide vote. He says the date to get it on the November ballot has passed and the next available date would be March of next year. However, Williamson says that a decision of this nature is an administrative decision and not a legislative one and therefore a public vote is not appropriate. Nonetheless tonight’s meeting is expected to be well attended and therefore has been scheduled for the Florence Events Center at 5:30. No public comment will be allowed and the deadline for written comment was last week.
Boys and Girls Club Gala
The Boy’s and Girl’s club of Western Lane County is preparing for its annual gala. The masquerade ball will be held at Three Rivers Casino Resort on October 7th. The event comes at a critical time for the club as monies that have previously gone to the club from the state have been diverted sustain other projects. The shortfall could severely limit the number of programs and the number of children the club can serve. Individual tickets for the event are $100 and a table of 8 is $800. There will also be a live and silent auction to help raise funds. They are also looking for additional sponsors for the event. Zolezzi insurance and Three Rivers Casino came on board early to help though additional sponsors can be added. Contact the boys and girls club at 541-902-0304 for seats or sponsorships.
Three Buttes Fire North of Florence
Over the Weekend firefighters battled a blaze near Mary’s Peak about 10 miles west of Corvallis. The Rock Creek Fire was held to about 12 acres as of yesterday. ODF says the fire is burning large timber on a steep and rugged slope. It was ignited by a lightning strike according to officials. Closer to home the Three Buttes fire is burning about 15 miles northeast of Florence and covers about 50 acres. Additional equipment is ordered for the fire and crews are working on the best ingress to battle the blaze. The cause of that fire is under investigation.