North Bend school board rejects urban renewal amendments after hours of public comment

The North Bend School District board of directors voted down two resolutions asking the district to concur with amendments to the North Bend Urban Renewal Agency (URA) plan, including a proposed increase in maximum indebtedness and the addition of a public-building project.

The board's vote came after nearly two hours of public testimony both supporting and opposing the URA changes. Jeff Bridal, finance director for the city of North Bend and the URA, presented the city's case and urged the board to approve the measures, saying the plan would keep local tax money in North Bend and support housing that could increase school enrollment.

Bridal told the board: "Should $250,000 of the school district's taxes stay here in North Bend to support our home each year, or would you rather send those funds to Salem for redistribution to other school districts across Oregon?" He said approving the plan would "lower property taxes" for some residents and help finance approximately 72 workforce housing units.

Why it matters: the two resolutions would have (1) increased the URA's maximum indebtedness from about $11.8 million to $45.5 million…