ASHLAND, Ore. — The Ashland City Council voted to approve a $75 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency to replace the city’s water treatment plant in a new location — which brought significant pushback, resulting in a petition passing that brought the finance decision to the November ballot.
Since the decision got moved onto the November ballot, there has been strong opposition and support of the decision to fund the replacement of the facility through the EPA loans.
The loan could result in six 10% increases in water rates for residents within the next six years. With such increases in rates and such a debt, those who started the petition and oppose the decision say they felt like they should have been informed and consulted.
“I want the city to talk to me as a rate payer about why this most expensive solution is the best solution, not just the one they want the most. And I don’t think they’ve done that,” said petitioner and opposer of Measure 15-234, George Kramer. “That’s why I wanted to see this on the ballot, and that’s why I hope people will vote no. Because I don’t know how else to force the City of Ashland to actually talk to us before it sends us a bill.”…