Local News

No Bend Gas Tax on November Ballot

BEND, OR -- The Bend City Council will not put a local gas tax on the November ballot. Councilors met in a special session Monday afternoon and were split 3-4, with the majority opposed to asking voters to approve a five- to ten-cent per gallon tax.  

 

Councilor Nathan Boddie favored the ballot measure, saying funding options are slim. "There are two options: a gas tax or slashing the public safety budget; and there's no way I'm going to support cutting police and fire. There may be some funds there, but not nearly enough. These are your two options."

 

Mayor Jim Clinton also voted for the measure, opposing those who want to wait to build a consensus. "I don't see why that has to be why the fuel tax has to be held hostage to making progress on this entire transportation package," He told fellow councilors.

 

Councilor Barb Campbell feels voters should have the final say. "I trust the voters on this one. Honestly, we all drive the streets, they know how they are."

 

Councilors Casey Roats, Victor Chudowsky, Doug Knight and Sally Russel were all opposed to sending the gas tax to voters in an effort to fund street maintenance. Russel acknowledged, though, that something needs to be done. "I really want to advocate that we have to reverse this non-action on this issue. And, it's only going to cost more, regardless of your demographics - old or young, it's going to cost us all more."
 
They decided to form a subcommittee to meet with Bend 2030 and create a road maintenance funding proposal for the March ballot. Campbell, Roats and Knight begin that process today, and hope to report to the full council at its regular meeting, Wednesday. 
 
 
Photo courtesy City of Bend; l-r: Nathan Boddie, Casey Roats, Jim Clinton, Sally Russel, Barb Campbell, Doug Knight, Victor Chudowsky
 
 

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