Letters and Comments for March 2, 2010

Letters and Comments for March 2, 2010

Against annexation

To the Editor:

Nancy Bruch’s letter encouraging annexation requires serious thought. She’s correct that residents in the UGB pay higher water and sewer rates than do residents of the city.

Essential services for the UGB residents (other than water/sewer) are provided by Union County. Revenue collected by the city from UGB residents for water and sewer service should not be placed in the city’s general fund for services such as police and fire protection. UGB residents pay Union County for these services from their property tax. Nancy is correct that residents of UGB do not vote in city elections. For example, they didn’t vote on issues such as the creation of the library and the swimming pool.

The last attempt to annex the UGB was overwhelmingly opposed by the residents in the UGB. When implemented, property tax increases were substantial and the hidden costs to some residents were significant. Unexpectedly, some bank mortgage payments on homes were increased substantially to cover these tax increases. After the damage was done, Oregon’s Court of Appeals remanded back to the city their annexation plan, and the taxes collected inappropriately were repaid to UGB residents.

Nancy’s calculations may be accurate for her property, but it won’t prove correct throughout the UGB. Some UGB property has no city sewer or water service, and there are many vacant lots. City tax rates would increase property taxes significantly for their properties. My home is in the UGB and while I wish the city of La Grande well in their efforts to resolve their budget crisis, I do not support the annexation of my property. The residents in the UGB pay the city extremely well for their water and sewer service and we are no more contributors to the city’s budget crisis than are the residents of Island City, Imbler, Cove or the farmers in our valley.

Lola Rose

La Grande