School Bond
The May 19 primary is now just 2 weeks away, and ballots have already been delivered across the region. One of the most talked‑about items on the ballot is Measure 20‑379. If approved, the measure would allow the Siuslaw School District to build a new school through a $139 million bond, raising property taxes for property owners throughout the district. Local attorney and Siuslaw graduate Laurel Ferguson supports the bond. She says a new school is inevitable, and delaying the decision will only drive costs higher.
“We’ve seen construction costs increase about 4-5% per year and we don’t expect that to change though the longer we put this off the more cost are going to continue to rise and the more the issues we are dealing with at the school facilities are just going to increase as well.”
Opponents argue the current buildings still have significant life left and say retrofitting could meet district needs at a lower cost to residents and business owners. Attorney Scott Bailey says retrofits come with their own challenges, particularly under updated building code requirements.
“under Oregon law, at least since 2022, if you are occupying more than 50% of the space with repairs, which an HVAC Sytsem would do, then you have to bring the building up to code, and that’s all the code.”
Both sides of the bond issue will be explored this month on Our Town.
Youth Police Academy
The Florence Police Department is now accepting applications for its 2026 Youth Police Academy. The program is open to students ages 14 to 18 interested in careers in law enforcement, first response, or government service. The academy runs from June 22 through June 27. Participants will learn about the Florence Police Department and other local, state, and federal agencies, along with basic training in police procedures, criminal investigations, and first aid. Applications are due Friday, May 22. Scholarships are available.
Land Use Permitting Online
The City of Florence has moved all land use and planning applications to a new online system called Cloudpermit. According to city officials, the secure portal is now the only way to submit planning applications, replacing email, mail, and in-person submissions at City Hall. The change applies to all project types, from home occupation permits to major subdivisions. Officials say the system allows applicants to apply anytime, track progress in real time, and manage documents, payments, and communication in one place. Residents can create a free account at us.cloudpermit.com to get started. Planning staff remain available by appointment to help users navigate the new system.
