16 March 2015
Senator says school funding will not decrease
School districts will not see a decrease in funding if lawmakers approve a $7.235-billion funding proposal this week. Oregon State Senator Arnie Roblan said fears of reductions in spending on a ‘per pupil’ basis don’t take into account an expected sharp increase in property tax collections.
Arnie Roblan – “It’ll still say 7.235, because that’s the general fund money. It’s just that the amount of property tax increase statewide will push the total number they’re going to get up a little bit.”
He says the general fund allocation makes up about two-thirds of the school funding formula. The other third comes from local property tax collections. Roblan says the Oregon Department of Education issued a very conservative estimate.
Arnie Roblan – “They estimated that the increase in property tax statewide would be about three-percent. It’s been trending at like 6 ½ percent.”
That means, he says, the current proposal would generate the same amount of money per student that school districts had two years ago.
Flag protocol vs. city code
Flags flown in front of buildings in the City of Florence will likely be in compliance with city code and flag protocol after the City Council takes action on a code change next week.
Four years ago the city moved sign regulations out of the land-use category and into the building codes. That created conflict between city code and protocol. If a property owner wanted to fly three flags… as allowed by code; the flags would either have to be smaller than what protocol allowed; or larger than the code allowance.
A recent move to replace the flag pole in front of city hall brought up another conflict: The pole is 40-feet high and according to protocol should fly a flag that would be at least 60-square feet.
City staff has drawn up a proposed city code change that would bring both situations into compliance. The council will consider it Monday night at 6:30 PM.
Oyster shell spill closes highway
Highway 101 north was closed on and off yesterday following the crash of a truck hauling oyster shells.
Rick Little, with the Oregon Department of Transportation, said the truck dumped load all over the roadway, halting travel.
The crash was very near an active slide that has had traffic down to one lane near Heceta Head Lighthouse since late last year.
It’s not clear if there were any injuries. Traffic was tied up for several hours as crews cleaned up the “shell of a mess”.
Property purchase to end legal action
The City of Florence will purchase two tax lots from a private party in order to settle a lawsuit filed 3 ½ years ago.
Michael and Colleen Ohran (oh-RANN) contend construction of Spruce Street, north of Munsel Lake Road, disrupted surface drainage and groundwater flows. That, in turn, caused their property, fronting Highway 101, to be inundated during prolonged rainfall events.
The Ohrans first filed notice of a tort claim in October 2011. The city, along with its insurance company, has been in negotiations with the property owners to avoid a trial.
The proposed settlement does not assign fault to either party, but the city does still dispute any part in the flooding.
The Ohrans will receive $350-thousand. The city will pay $262,500 of that with the balance coming from its insurance carrier. The two parties will split closing cost.
The City Council must still approve the deal; they’re expected to do that this evening.
Snowy plover exclusions in place
Restrictions on several stretches of Oregon beaches and upland areas near them quietly went into place yesterday. Ropes and signs went up around nesting areas of the endangered Western Snowy Plover.
The protections are aimed at preventing unintentional damage to the plover nests and eggs. The bird makes nests in open sand; their eggs are difficult to see. Parents can also be driven away from the nests if humans venture too near.
Complete closures apply to dry sand sections in the Baker Beach and Sutton Creek areas; Siltcoos Outlet;as well as the Oregon Dunes Recreation Area dunes overlook just south of the Lane-Douglas county line and the Tahkenitch Creek estuary.
Dogs and kites are not allowed on wet sand areas of the beach adjacent. Neither are bicycles; that’s a proscription that’s drawn fire from several “fat tire” bicycle enthusiasts who claim their slow-moving activities are no worse that horseback riders… who are still allowed to pass through the areas.
The restrictions will remain in place until September 15th.
