News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters voters are deciding whether to annex all land currently within the Sisters Urban Growth Boundary. Mail in ballots were to be received by voters this week on Measure 9-72.
The move would annex approximately 340.97 acres, which would be placed on City of Sisters tax rolls. The increased taxable value is $9,627,570. Another $10,119,410 is non-taxable, covering property consisting of churches and school district property.
An $85,000 property would take a tax increase of approximately $230.72, according to city calculations. Annexed properties already receiving city services would receive decreased fees for garbage collection, water and sheriff's patrols.
According to City of Sisters figures the net tax increase for a newly-annexed $85,000 property would be approximately $27.82.
Annexed properties will be able to hook up to the city's sewer system when it is in place.
Sisters city administrator Barbara Warren said that the owners of 37.80 acres out of 340.97 acres in the urban growth boundary did not support the measure.
"We had 15 parcels (owned by 12 individuals) out of 46 parcels whose owners did not consent," Warren said.
According to Warren, six of the twelve non-consenting property owners represented commercial or industrial land, with the remaining properties in the residential zone.
Only city residents will vote on the measure; the ballot deadline is May 18.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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