Fiscal Responsibility/AFN

With the City of Ashland budget topping $100 million this fiscal year and the Ashland Fiber Network $15.5 million in debt, critics who have long argued that "The Republic of Ashland" should scale back may have more ammunition this fall.

The Ashland City Council and Ashland Citizens' Budget Committee made cuts to blunt property tax increases, but the owner of a home assessed at $300,000 will still see an increase of $52.50 a year, with much of that increase slated to make AFN debt payments. The council ignored the advice of the AFN Options Committee to sell or spin-off the cable television and high-speed Internet service. Instead, they hired Information Technology Director Joe Franell from the private sector. AFN is now seeking a third party to take over the money-losing television service while rolling out new Internet services.

Unlike many Rogue Valley communities, Ashland has its own electric department, golf course and airport, and even manages historic cemeteries. Some have argued that assets such as the golf course should be sold off to pay down AFN's debt and provide land for affordable housing.