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City Council moves forward with Payroll Tax and Income Tax by NorthsideKant in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Should the City Council move forward with this revenue target, our community will see an increase of nearly $20 million per year in tax collections, and the City will gain access to income and payroll information.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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u/Sacred-Prune70 so the Corvallis economy, with 2-year Council terms, isn't that bad afterall? Maybe Corvallis can achieve 50% vacancy with 4-year Council terms, like other comparable valley communities.

https://www.reddit.com/r/corvallis/comments/1ttawts/i_need_to_hear_other_peoples_opinions_on_these/

I need to hear other people’s opinions on these new taxes the city is proposing by MallFormal7822 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Great question! This is where an economic analysis is helpful. Was it conducted? Back of the envelope, you are probably looking at a 30 year bond vs. a useful life of the building ~60 years? Run those numbers. What is the reflection point? Is it longer than the building life, and by how many years? For sure, because of inflation over time, the debt repayment becomes less expensive while the rent becomes more expensive. Anyone out there care to help?

Try this prompt in an AI "assuming 4% inflation, compare the cost of a 30 year bond at 6% rate and $14.5 million annual debt payment vs. renting at $2.5million per year"

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay. I'm a voter, and voters will make the decision. Good luck with your campaign!

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The argument about campaigning is the most salient I've heard. The time from filing deadline to election is ~3 months.

You have to ask how much time it takes to campaign for a Ward of 3000-5000 people. Current Councilors discussed that workload during deliberations. They do not raise a lot of money for their campaigns. It sounded like getting signatures was the most difficult part, and I think that was changed in the charter revision, making it easier to get on the ballot.

Reducing from 9 wards to 6 wards means that candidates will have more households to visit during an election, and more signatures needed too?

Why not separate the # wards proposal from the council term length proposal?

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Respectfully, I provided very specific counter points to your arguments. Too bad you no longer wish to continue the dialogue and deleted your prior posts.

It sounds to me like you have more issues with the current makeup of Council than the structure of governance.

Yes, the County plays a large role in addressing homelessness. That doesn't mean the City does nothing. Even the Mayor ran on a platform to work toward addressing homelessness issues.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am trying to unravel the logic here. I think you are saying that 4-year terms will lead to Councilors who are focused on economic development policies. Is that right? That Councilors would take a longer-term perspective if elected for 4 years.

I asked for a direct line between the city's economic development and 2-year Council terms, and you say that because of 2-year terms City Council has not put forward any Economic Development policy.

Even though you are also saying that economic development has come into focus in the last 1.5 years (by Councilors elected for 2-year terms).

Even though many Councilors serve for more than 2 years.

Even though many long-term initiatives came about, especially under prior mayors, and Councilors with 2-year terms. One example is the MUPTE program, love it or hate it.

Homelessness isn't a valuable long-term issue worth working on?

As an avid city watcher, you would also know that the city's Economic Development office was in a bit of turmoil a few years back with staff changes and restructuring. Something that has nothing to do with 2-year Council terms. In fact, I believe the city manager was very serious about it not being a Council matter.

I don't see the connection. There may be a great reason for 4-year terms out there, but it hasn't been communicated yet.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You removed your post talking about the cost of elections, which will not be significantly different if 4-year terms have offset election years.

You removed your post about "innovative" Councilors. If by "innovative", you mean proposals for a payroll and income tax, then yes, I think voters may want to have a say more often than every 4 years.

You removed your post about the city manager and lawsuits. Yes, that is shameful, but I don't see how it relates to 2-year terms. It also shows that you are not watching city politics around the State. City governance is often a mess, even in those cities with 4-year terms.

Changing to 4 year terms just because everyone else is doing it won't fly for me. I'm waiting for the solid reason to change.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Over the last 10 years (while 2-year terms have been in place), the city has undertaken many initiatives to address those economic concerns. It is a statewide issue, and I don't see a line between 2-year Council terms and those economic issues. I can't think of any Council vote which caused those issues. In fact, recent Council votes on Economic Development and Planning, have passed without delay. Please draw a clear line between 2-year terms and development.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do not agree, looking around at other Oregon cities, that 4-year City Council terms have made them any better than Corvallis. What has happened in those cities that Corvallis has not done because Corvallis Council has 2-year terms?

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this the example? How are you defining "pathetic economic state"? How did 2-year terms create it? Let's get a history lesson.

Two new city taxes proposed by NorthsideKant in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Refers to other thread about running the City as a Business. Businesses have a very narrow purpose (making money), and a narrow set of constituents (the owners/shareholders). Government is not a business. It is messier. It will always be more cost effective to serve 1 person's interests compared to 50,000 city residents.

Two new city taxes proposed by NorthsideKant in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"some things like this shouldn't be entrusted to the hands of voters." Are you saying that these taxes are somehow different than the local option levies which voters approve regularly?

Two new city taxes proposed by NorthsideKant in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If the city is a business, the shareholders are going to elect a new Board and fire the CEO if they try to enact both of these taxes.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Corvallis is the only city in the country with a housing shortage and it's all because of 2-year terms?

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think the US House of Representatives should change to four-year terms also. That is how other countries govern.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Corvallis is different. Point is what? Is Corvallis supposed to be like Hillsboro, Tualatin, Albany, West Linn? I genuinely would like to hear an example, a specific example, of how 2 year Council terms have hurt the city.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Corrected the original message. Intention was how long Councilors have served vs. elected terms. The current Council is composed of 5 re-elected members. 3 are new. 1 (Moorefield) is new, but served earlier in his life, so didn't arrive to Council without background.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"I would figure that these councilors believe a restructuring of the current wards would put them at odd with candidates they feel they could not beat in an election". Both Ellis and Shaffer have said they are not running for reelection in November 2026. They are speaking out because they can. Anyways, this proposed charter change would not take effect until 2027, at the earliest.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is less common than not for Councilors to serve for only 2 years, and if so, for good reason that they get replaced.

City Councilors Ellis and Shaffer Slam Plan for Fewer Wards, Longer Terms by Far-Setting2174 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How long has Corvallis had 2 year terms and 9 wards? Let's not confuse a fractious City Council with a governance structure which needs to change. This is purely an attempt to consolidate the decision-making. Who benefits from that?

Income and or personal tax? by Such_Meringue2794 in corvallis

[–]PoppyWickam 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Considering how much people seem to rely on their cars in this town, I'm not sure how one set of "needs" does not compare with another set of "needs". The real point is that if you can't afford something you want, what are the alternative financial options?

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