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City will ask council whether to put a five‑year gas‑tax measure on the ballot; public cannot be lobbied if council acts
Summary
Officials outlined potential revenue options for streets including a five‑year local gas tax that city staff framed as a way to guarantee local control over funds; council is due to decide on Aug. 5 whether to place the measure on the ballot.
John told attendees the city is weighing several financing options to address street and sidewalk needs and that one option is a limited five‑year local gas tax. He said the proposed local measure would dedicate 100% of the revenue to streets and roads and that, if voters approve it, the tax would expire after five years unless the community votes to renew it.
"If it passes, it's our opportunity to prove to you that we're gonna do what we said we were gonna do with the money. And it goes away — it'll go away, period," John said. He added that Oregon law limits what city officials can say about a measure before council formally places it on the ballot: the council is scheduled to consider sending the measure to voters on Aug. 5, and after that the city itself must stop campaigning on the measure.
Staff will distribute informational flyers with details in utility bills and on the website ahead of the council meeting, and the recorder's office said it will post materials so residents can sign up for updates. No final decision was recorded at the town hall; the council meeting will determine whether the measure goes forward.
