CASCADE LOCKS — The Cascade Locks City Council met at City Hall on June 9 to discuss water and sewer management and fees, the progress of their lobbyist, tourism updates, and an upcoming prepared food and beverage sales tax measure. In council comments, one councilor revealed the intent to resign and the need to fill an open city council seat. The meeting started with a brief workshop on mayoral and council roles.
In the workshop, Mayor Brenda Wood expressed the need for clarity when she represents the city. This was on the heels of her recent speech to the Hood River County School Board in which she introduced herself as the Mayor of Cascade Locks, and shared an opinion which had not been previously endorsed by the council. The workshop reminded all of the elected officials that they must be very clear when they are representing the city vs. representing themselves. They agreed that anything that represents the city should be discussed and approved by a majority of the council before being shared as the city’s viewpoint.
In the regular meeting, the group first revisited the need for increased water and sewer rates, based on the recommendation of a consultant and the water and sewer committee. The decision was to move forward with the sewer rate increase, and to workshop further on the water rates.
Next, lobbyist Tre Hendricks presented a summary of his efforts. Hendricks was hired by the city to lobby for the state to reimburse Cascade Locks for the cost of the ODOT-ordered repairs to McCord Creek Bridge. Cascade Locks was forced to borrow upwards of $1 million to pay for the upgrade and hired him to lobby for reimbursement. Hendricks’ report was cautiously optimistic, as he shared meetings with Sen. Daniel Bonham, who has pledged to advance the city’s cause, and numerous other legislative leaders. He explained that there is serious competition for limited legislative funds for infrastructure projects.
The upcoming ballot measure to fund city EMS and fire services dominated the meeting. Currently, these services are paid out of the general fund, which is not financially sustainable. A committee, working with Fire Chief John Logan and City Administrator Jordon Bennett, studied the options and determined a 7% prepared food and beverage sales tax to be the best solution. A large majority of fire service calls take place outside of the city, and this type of tax would fall primarily on tourists and visitors to the city as opposed to locals.
The tax applies to prepared food and beverages from restaurants, bakeries, and bars, but not on alcohol from those vendors. It does not apply to groceries. The proposal includes a detailed list of what food and beverage is taxed, and the numerous exemptions from the tax.
Councilor Tiffany Pruit asked about a discount for locals. Other councilors pointed out that it’s a tax you can choose or not choose to pay, that it affects mostly tourists, and that it helps avoid a property tax increase, yet maintains fire and EMS services for the city. The funding measure will be on the ballot this November.
In council comments, Council member Denise Emmerling-Baker revealed that she has bought a home outside the city and will be resigning in July. The council will initiate the process to replace Emmerling-Baker.
The next Cascade Locks City Council meeting will be held on June 23 at 7 p.m.
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