REAL TV, REAL PEOPLE: Watch RVTV's Government & Public Access archives for authentic local television from Southern Oregon
The Jackson County Commissioners have taken the next step towards the creation of a new tax district to replace County general fund dollars that have supported the OSU Extension Service and the myriad of organizations and research facilities under the Extension umbrella. County Commissioners approved the concept of creating the Jackson County 4H Master Gardener and Agricultural Extension Service District on November 26, 2013. The District boundary would include all of Jackson County, and most municipalities are passing resolutions to participate. The District would place a 5 cents per thousand tax measure on the May ballot and allow voters to decide if they would like to support the many Extension services going forward. The County Assessor estimates that the 5 cents per $1,000 property tax levy would generate over $831,000 for the District in the first year, the cost to a homeowner with a property valued at $155,000 would be just under $8 dollars per year.
The January 8 initial public hearing was the first of two required, and Commissioners heard testimony from over a dozen advocates for the formation of the District. Two key questions faced the Board in Wednesdays action as they had to decide if the formation of the District would benefit citizens and if there was enough support and evidence to move forward to a second public hearing. The answer to both was yes. The second and final public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 at the regular 9:30 Board meeting in the Courthouse auditorium.
The staff report and first public hearing is ready for you to watch online at the County website, click here and we’ll take you there!
The January 29th meeting will be seen live on RVTV Ch. 14 and stream live here on the RVTV website. The Commissioners meetings replay Wednesdays at 8pm on Channel 9 and at 10pm on Channel 14, and is also available anytime on the County website after the conclusion of the meeting.