Cities across Oregon have designated September 17-21, as City Hall Week. In 21 host cities, city officials will lead a forum with legislators and candidates on issues that support the economic vitality and stability of Oregon communities.
In Redmond, City Hall Week will be held on Thursday, September 20 at Redmond Fire and Rescue Main Station, 341 NW Dogwood, beginning at 6:30pm. The event, hosted by the Central Oregon Cities Organization (COCO), will provide an opportunity for city officials, state lawmakers and legislative candidates to share ideas and perspectives prior to the 2013 Legislative Session.
City officials, legislators and candidates representing the nine cities of COCO will attend, and the public is welcome.
Among the issues discussed will be the League of Oregon Cities’ top five legislative priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session addressing finance reform, land use reform, resetting assessed value at sale, jobs/economic development initiative, and renewal of the 9-1-1 tax.
Cities are urging the Legislature to:
- • Refer a constitutional amendment to voters allowing local option levies of up to 10 years and an
option to have a local option levy be outside of compression;
- • Support land use reform that would allow population forecasting by a third party that would not
be appealable as a land use decision;
- • Refer a constitutional amendment to restore equity in Oregon’s property tax system by resetting
assessed value to real market value when a property is sold or constructed, in a fashion that does
not adversely affect local option levies;
- • Support recapitalizing the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund Program; support the Patient Capital
for Industrial Lands Infrastructure Pilot Program; and support the Employment Site Re-Use/
Redevelopment Pilot Program; and
- • Pass legislation renewing the state’s 9-1-1 tax, containing elements that enhance the delivery of
9-1-1 services.
As city governments face increasing fiscal pressures they would like greater flexibility to manage their affairs, City Hall Week represents a proactive approach to raising awareness of these critical issues.
“City officials know best the issues that impact their communities,” said COCO Vice Chair and Redmond Mayor George Endicott. “Local officials have been elected to represent their communities and legislators are elected to represent the same constituents. City Hall Week will ensure that local voices gain the attention of legislators and candidates.”
