At the 5/3/18 Budget Committee meeting, it was announced that a 5% meals/sales tax measure may appear on the November 2018 ballot. The sales tax is the brainchild of Doug Phillips, a current member of the Budget Committee who is joined by fellow Jacksonville residents Tom Gorman and Michael Sewitsky as the petitioners for the measure.

Of note: this concept is NOT a referral measure from the City Council, Budget Committee or staff, but from the three citizens, headed by Mr. Phillips. Before qualifying to be placed on the ballot, the petitioners must collect approximately 400 signatures by August 10.

At the meeting, committee member Mike McClain spoke to the matter, commenting that he was dismayed that a member of the committee would propose this tax, especially since the matter had been studied for several years. McClain was concerned that Mr. Phillips’ tax proposal would imply that the Budget Committee had endorsed the idea. In an emotional statement, Mr. McClain noted his respect for the committee but questioned Mr. Phillips’ ethics in remaining on the committee. At the conclusion of the Budget Committee, Mr. Phillips opted not to offer the Review a comment on the matter.

The 5% sales tax is in response to a recent revenue-raising surcharge just approved by the Jacksonville City Council. At its May 1 meeting, a $20 per/household fee was approved to raise $400,000 that will help fund the Police Department. Starting July 1, residents will see the fee on their water bills in addition to the current $35 Fire Department surcharge and $3 Parks Fee. Should the Phillips sales tax pass, it would replace the $20 Police fee. In Oregon, only Ashland and Yachats have a meals sales tax.

During Budget Committee meetings in 2016, 2017 and 2018, members weighed revenue-raising ideas, including downtown parking meters, a meals tax and others. In Fall 2017, Phillips gave an in-depth Powerpoint presentation to the Budget Committee wherein he stated his case for a meals/sales tax.

After analysis and debate, the Budget Committee determined that the surcharge was the best and most reliable funding tool at its disposal. In backing it, the committee recommended the surcharge as a more reliable and stable funding method, which the City Council later approved. The Budget Committee is comprised of 7 at-large citizens and all 7 City Councilors.

In the coming weeks it is expected that the petitioners will be seeking signatures from registered Jacksonville voters to place this sales tax measure on the November ballot.