Pictured left to right at the 2023 Town Hall: City of Ashland Councilors
Paula Hyatt, Gina DuQuenne, Tonya Graham, Eric Hansen, Bob Kaplan
The 2024 Town Hall Gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Rogue River Room at Southern Oregon University. Check back for more details. 2023 Town Hall Information and Priorities for the 2023-2025 Biennium Budget
Thank you to all who attended the Town Hall Gathering on January 30, 2023, voted online and provided public comments! This information will provide valuable input for City Council and the Citizens Budget Committee for next steps with the 2023-2025 Biennial Budget.
Council adopted the below statement at the March 21, 2023, Council Meeting, and will be using these adopted priorities to help guide the 2023-2025 Budget process and into the next six years:
Wildfire risk reduction and CEAP (Climate Energy Action Plan) execution
Economic Development including development of eco-tourism like trails, ensuring City processes such as planning are supportive of attracting new business and supporting those already here
Affordability including attainable housing, and review of our rate structures for progressiveness in their livability
All with the underlying supporting principles of equity of access, and strong supportive City services with a customer service focus.
BACKGROUND:
Together we worked to identify priorities for the City of Ashland for the upcoming 2023-2025 Biennium budget process and the next six years! The City Council established a priority or topic list for the 2023-2025 Biennium and sought feedback from the community. The objectives for each topic are listed below. (The numbering below is for reference purposes only and does not indicate any potential ordering or priority of the topics.)
Public Safety Services
1. Wildfire risk reduction programs
2. Police Staffing
3. Fire Staffing
4. Emergency planning, preparation, response, and recovery
5. Code enforcement (building safety, public nuisances, neighborhood, and environment infractions)
Infrastructure Issues and Concerns
6. Street maintenance and repair
7. City facilities repair (Pioneer Hall, Community Center, City Hall)
8. Water and wastewater utilities service and infrastructure
9. City Parks and facilities maintenance
10. Electric grid resilience and upgrade
Planning and Growth
11. Protecting the community’s character
12. Community land use planning
13. Review and approval of development projects
14. Limit small wireless facilities (5G cell) ordinance
Social Initiatives or Services
15. Severe weather shelter
16. Creating social equity and racial justice
17. Senior services
18. Affordable childcare
Community Investment
19. Downtown revitalization and beauty
20. Affordable/workforce housing
21. Multi Modal transportation/transit (reduce use/need of second car)