Grants Pass city residents are already grappling with the nation’s highest water bills, surpassing $100 per month for each city resident. The financial burden is exacerbated by ongoing challenges such as insurance hikes and the inflationary impact of Bidenomics, causing average utility bills to surge between $60 and $300 for households.
In response to the escalating costs and a need for additional revenue, the Grants Pass City Council faced a crucial decision. They rejected a proposed 3% food and beverage tax and instead opted for a $12 utility fee aimed at funding public safety services temporarily. This utility fee will remain in effect until the proposed restaurant tax can be subjected to a public vote scheduled for November.
After extensive deliberation on the fee’s amount, the City Council settled on a $12 monthly charge for single-family residences. The vote resulted in a 4-to-4 tie, ultimately broken by Mayor Sara Bristol’s decisive “yes” vote. Small businesses will experience a more substantial impact, with the $12 fee expanding to over $36 monthly.
The intended purpose of the fee is to maintain current levels of public safety services, although it does not allocate funds for new hires in the police and fire departments. Despite overwhelming public testimony against the food and beverage tax dedicated exclusively to public safety services, the Council voted against it by a 5-3 margin.
Subsequently, the City Council voted 7-1 to present the 3% food and beverage tax to Grants Pass voters in the upcoming November election. This tax would apply to all prepared foods and beverages, excluding alcohol. Concerns have been raised about the potential for increased fees in the future, with questions surrounding the management of funds and the likelihood of additional hikes.
The water department, a longstanding concern for Grants Pass residents over the past eight years, adds to the skepticism. The community remains vigilant, questioning whether the recent decisions mark only the initial wave of fees, leaving residents to wonder when and how additional increases may impact their financial stability.
There will be MANY follow ups to this article in the future as this story develops.
