By Scott Unger • Of the News-Register • 

Poll shows 52% support for rec center bond measure

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Comments

PAO

I wonder how much that 52 percent support rate would drop if the responses from the 23 percent non-property owners were eliminated? It's very easy to want everything if you won't be paying for it. There's lots of ways to look at those numbers.

CubFan

$54 a month for this new package, on top of the $13/month existing fee on our water and light bill+ what is likely to be $10/month for the sewer upgrade+ $32/month if the city is successful in keeping the full amount of the $1.50 assessment for the former fire department + $42/month more for the new fire district which has already been approved by voters. That's $151 PER MONTH MORE for the average home in McMinnville. WHO CAN AFFORD THAT???!!! I don't think the city council and city department heads have a feel for just how much of a burden they are putting on taxpayer's backs. They are doing a good job of "selling" these programs to us, by telling us "it's just a small amount". But when you add it all up, it's crazy.

scooter

PAO, my guess is that the non-property owners are renters and they would probably tell you that $54 per month is nothing compared to their rent skyrocketing over the last 4 years. Since December of 2019 to December 2023 renters who were paying $1000 a month for a basic two bedroom apartment are paying $1227 a month, so $3724 a year. And that's if they were able to stay in that apartment. I guarantee you that the homeowners have passed on every possible cost to their renters. Which they will continue to do. At least for the $54 a month these renters could send their children to more parks, they can swim in a facility that was built in this century and isn't falling apart, the library will be upgraded and safer and more after school programs could be hosted at the new rec center. Honestly, I really am not in support of the total package all at once and believe that the developers who are building all these homes should be on the hook for the additional parks. But to say that renters aren't paying their fair share is a joke.

tagup

I'm not sure 352 opinions can give a clear picture of the community opinion of anything.
I hope the survey cost was a little more reasonable than the last poll concerning the fire district tax dollars.

Bouncer

IT IS ALOT OF TALK AND OTHER PEOPLES MONEY BEING SPENT.IT SHOULD NEVER NEVER BE INACTED. DO NOT LET THESE ULTRA LIBS BULLY THER WAY INTO YOUR POCKETS AGAIN.

CubFan

Scooter- not sure where you are getting your rent numbers. I think someone would be hard-pressed to find a decent 2 bedroom in Mac for $1227- a more realistic figure is probably $1500-$2000 a month. Also, I'm confused about your line of reasoning. You say that since rent has gone up so much, then renters shouldn't mind paying another $54 a month for the rec center/pool? Seriously?! $54 a month more is going to be more than most people can bear. (On top of that, the $13 add on to the utility bills- which was to retire a debt. The city has now collected enough money to retire that debt, yet they still keep the $13 fee, which I don't understand. The city will be forced to do something about the old sewer system- and they are talking about $10 a month forever on that. Then there's the whole bait and switch with the fire department assessment- which if it plays out like the city wants- it will more than double that portion of our property taxes. Like I said in my post above- this all adds up tp more than $150 PER MONTH more. Let's combine that with rising costs including food, utilities, insurance and more and the average person's shoulders aren't wide enough to bear the burden of these costs. Wages are not even beginning to keep up with all of this nonsense. I personally know several people who are one paycheck away from living in their car. I'm all for improving the city. BUT.... there's only so much citizens can bear. I think we're approaching a breaking point. At some point, the city counselors have to acknowledge that there's a limit to what people can pay. Chris Chenoweth is the only City Counselor who has voiced his understanding of this.

Don Dix

scooter wrote - " I guarantee you that the homeowners have passed on every possible cost to their renters."

Sorry, but your 'guarantee' is bogus -- the rent on my occupied properties is the same as it was in 2018/2019 -- and a $227 per month rental increase is $2724 yearly, a thousand $ less than stated. I haven't raise their monthly costs, the city has.

Bleepbloop

I hope the boomers who are dismissing this project in these comments are not a representative sample of voters. I am happy to pay this extra money (on my residence and multiple rental homes) if it means a better place for my kids and the community. A city like McMinnville needs better public spaces. Also, it is not so black in white that your taxes go up so you are SOL. Your property value will go up too! Hey Don, what has the property value on your rental properties from 2018 to now? I know one of ours was recently appraised and it has gone up almost 50% from the purchase in 2018. Add that to your short sighted thinking. And snowflake Bouncer, as Dylan once said, The Times They Are A-Changin. Us libs aren't coming for your guns or liberty, just give us a little of your "hard earned" money please.

Bleepbloop

I hope the boomers who are dismissing this project in these comments are not a representative sample of voters. I am happy to pay this extra money (on my residence and multiple rental homes) if it means a better place for my kids and the community. A city like McMinnville needs better public spaces. Also, it is not so black in white that your taxes go up so you are SOL. Your property value will go up too! Hey Don, what has the property value on your rental properties from 2018 to now? I know one of ours was recently appraised and it has gone up almost 50% from the purchase in 2018. Add that to your short sighted thinking. And snowflake Bouncer, as Dylan once said, The Times They Are A-Changin. Us libs aren't coming for your guns or liberty, just give us a little of your "hard earned" money please.

Don Dix

The most base property taxes in dollars can raise is 3% per yr.(without additional bond passage). Please provide the evidence that there has ever been any year when that was not the case -- it's there in 'black and white' on every yearly tax statement (since the 90s).

Music reference, eh? - The Stones sang 'You Can't Always Get What You Want', 'ironically' from the album 'Let It Bleed'.

CubFan

Well played Don Dix... touche!!

Bleepbloop

Don, you forgot to finish the lyric: "But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need." If you have been inside our community center and public pool, there is no denying they need replaced.

Bouncer

THANK YOU BLEEPBLOOP FOR MAKING MY POINT, APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.

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