Bandon voters reject Tax Levy, but it could return in May
By Erica Rush, KCBY NewsBANDON, Ore. -For now, the will be no Tax Levy for Bandon Residents after voters turned down the measure during Tuesday's Special Election. But the slim margin between voters is encouraging city officials to possibly try again. MultimediaThe final unofficial count from the Coos County Courthouse shows 48.38% of voters were for the measure, with 51.62 % voting no. That's a difference of just 31 votes. Promising results, according to City Manager, Matt Winkle, who says he will recommend that the city council put the levy back on for the May Election. But if all else fails, Winkle says there are still other options. "If we increase our Transit and Occupancy Tax, 30% of that money can be used for general city purposes and we can certainly ear mark that for police," said Winkle. "And the rest would then have to be used for tourism promotion and the community can use funds for both." The $1.1 million Property Tax Levy would not only cover two full-time officers, but also fund training and any new equipment. But Winkle says, the lack around the clock police coverage is not something the city can afford to lose. "It is scary, but it's not a scare tactic. I think what it is, is being honest. And the fact of the matter is, we are certainly looking at, are projections going to have a hard time funding the full time police coverage next year without some kind of additional funds." For now, Winkle says staff is moving up its time-line for budget projections so they can have a better look at where they'll stand after this fiscal year. Most Popular |
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February 3, 2012
- Coos Bay / North Bend, Oregon
