North Bend school board declines to concur with city urban renewal amendments after hours of public testimony

The North Bend School District 13 board of directors on Feb. 6 declined to concur with two proposed amendments to the City of North Bends Urban Renewal Agency (URA) plan that would have increased the agencys maximum indebtedness and authorized a public building project connected to a proposed housing development.

The board heard more than two hours of public testimony before voting on the first resolution, which would have raised the agencys maximum indebtedness from $11,800,723 to $45,500,000 and sought the districts concurrence. Jeff Bridal, finance director for the city of North Bend, urged the board to approve the amendment, saying local control of tax dollars was at stake: "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?" Bridal said. "Keeping local funds local and using them to support new housing in our city directly benefits the school district by aiding in its enrollment."

The public record included dozens of speakers. Supporters said the URA amendment would help unlock federal and state funding and create workforce housing needed to retain employees and grow enrollment in the district. Lexi Woodward, executive director of the South Coast Development Council, described the plan as "an amplifier for downtown revitalization" and said the South Coast faces development barriers that require public-private partnership. Jeff Lang, chief executive…