Central Point raises storm-drain fees 132 percent

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CENTRAL POINT — The cost of building a house in Central Point will rise $752 to cover the expense of new storm-drain culverts in the city.

The City Council on Thursday approved the 132 percent increase, bringing the storm-drain fee for a new home to $1,322 and total system development charges on a new home to $9,750. The change takes effect next week.

More than a dozen residents were at the meeting, though few spoke on the proposed charges, assessed to new development only.

Central Point resident Shane Macuk voiced frustration that the city, which he noted already boasts the second highest tax rate in Jackson County, was considering paying to replace "a bunch of culverts that the county owns."

"The county just got $27 million in timber payments and you ask us to pay for the county's bridges?" he questioned council members. "If you vote for this, you will be held accountable."

Councilman Matt Stephenson said the culverts, city owned or not, were crucial to protecting property owners in the event of a flood.

"The storm drain increase, I think, is especially important for us to look at right now due to all of the information we have gotten back from (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the redoing of the flood plains and so forth," he said. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure the city is safe from flood damage."

Stephenson said he was hopeful the county would work toward a solution that would relieve the city of some expense related to the culverts.

Contacted for a story in Thursday's Mail Tribune, county officials said they were unaware of a need to replace the culverts.

Jackson County Director of Roads and Parks John Vial expressed a willingness to discuss the matter with the city but said budget limitations would have an impact on the county's ability to help pay for culverts.

— Buffy Pollock, for the Mail Tribune

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