Ashland Voters Approve Measure Giving Them the Final Say on New Utility-Bill Fees

ASHLAND, Ore. — Ashland voters have backed a measure to require their approval for new or increased utility-bill fees and taxes unrelated to utility operations, according to unofficial election results.

Measure 15-243 Passes With More Than 57% of the Vote

Results posted by the Oregon Secretary of State and updated November 4 at 4:45 a.m. Pacific showed Measure 15-243 receiving 6,485 “yes” votes (57.29%), compared with 4,835 “no” votes (42.71%).

Under the charter amendment, covered new or increased charges would have to be approved by Ashland voters at the next regularly scheduled election. They could not be assessed, imposed or collected until at least 30 days after that positive vote.

Vote Follows Permanent Parks Fee and Debate Over City Spending

Last month, the Ashland Council voted to make a permanent monthly Parks and Recreation fee of $5.15 payable by utility customers with active electric meters.

Councilors were told that the city needed $2 million in annual spending reductions across Fire & Rescue, Police, Parks, Building & Planning and Administration.

The Parks and Recreation fee would help preserve Parks, Recreation and Senior Services operations.

George Kramer, of the Ashland Charter Amendment Committee, said the measure would give the public a voice in fee discussions.

“The Measure requires the City to explore options and explain to the public why a new fee is the best way to pay for something we all agree we can’t pay for any other way,” Kramer said.

Councilors Dylan Bloom and Bob Kaplan opposed the measure, saying biennial budgets are adopted by June 30, whereas elections occur in November and May.

They felt ongoing obligations arising between those months could not wait a year to be handled.

The city manager said during the earlier debate that three other Oregon cities—Bandon, North Bend and Reedsport—require voter approval for utility-fee increases.

Exemptions

The measure does not apply to state or federal taxes and fees, franchise fees, increases necessary to comply with state-required minimums, fees related to the operation of utilities, or inflation increases that do not exceed the Consumer Price Index for the western U.S.