About Jackson County, OR

With the overwhelming attendance the Oregon Big Look Task Force found here in Medford Oregon, they have rescheduled a second meeting for those of us who were unable to fit in to their previous meeting room. If you would like to go to the second meeting to share your thoughts and position for the review of Oregon's Land Use Plan, here is the information for the second meeting:

The Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning (aka, "the Big Look") will hold a second meeting in Medford next Monday, October 20th.

Location: South Medford High School, Auditorium

(815 South Oakdale Avenue, Medford, OR)

Time: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Due to very high interest in the September 24th Medford Big Look town hall meeting and the limited capacity of the venue, another meeting has been scheduled in Medford. Although not a full town hall-style meeting, this second meeting will provide interested people who may have had difficultly attending the original meeting with another opportunity to make their opinions heard.

Join the conversation about Oregon land use...

It's your turn to participate in an important statewide discussion about our land-use planning system and what changes you would support to improve Oregon's legacy.

Introducing the Big Look Task Force

In 2005, the governor and legislature appointed a bipartisan task force of individuals to review Oregon's statewide land use program. Named the "Big Look" Task Force, this group has traveled the state and listened to testimony, conducted research, and considered various ideas to best plan for the challenges of today and tomorrow. The task force will present recommendations to the 2009 Legislature.

It's your turn to participate in an important statewide discussion about our land-use planning system and what changes you would support.

All meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to Sarah Watson at 503-373-0050 ext. 271, or by email at watsons@lcd.state.or.us; TTY: Oregon Relay Services 800-735-2900.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

The information in this blog is provided courtesy of Jamie Baker, now of Ticor Title. It is mainly taken from an email that she sent out to Realtors in Ashland. But it is very good information.

You may be surprised to learn that the Ashland taxes actually went down this year. This is due to the fact that the 07/08 taxes included a bond for the schools. Most accounts will see a decrease by a couple hundred dollars, but it has to do with the assessed value of the property itself.

I know a lot of you may be asking if you will see a decrease in your taxes because the property values are declining. The answer to that question in a nutshell is "NO". Here's why:

· When Measure 50 was approved by voters in 1997, a MAV, or Maximum Assessed Value was established for each property. That value was calculated for each property by subtracting 10% from the property's 1995-96 Real Market Value (RMV). Under Measure 50, property tax is based on the lower of either the RMV or the MAV.

· The MAV increases by 3% each year as long as the Real Market Value of the property is greater that the MAV. As always, the Real Market Value changes with the real estate market.

· Since 1997 the real estate market (and Real Market Value) has seen unprecedented growth while the MAV has continued to go up the constitutional 3% per year. This has caused the MAV to remain much lower than the Real Market Value, ranging from 35% to 65% of the RMV, with the average property's MAV being 52% lower than the RMV. The Real Market Value would have to drop by 52% before the taxes would be affected.

Per the County's calculations, the changes in Real Market Value for the 08/09 year are as follows:

ASHLAND -11 TO 13%

PHOENIX/TALENT -9 TO 12%

EAST MEDFORD -18-21%

WEST MEDFORD/APPLEGATE -17 TO 24%

CENTRAL POINT/SAMS VALLEY -17 TO 20%

ROGUE RIVER AREA -9 TO 14%

NORTH COUNTY -7 TO 11%

(The information above was shared with us(Ticor Title) by Dan Ross, the County Assessor.)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

TAXES ARE DUE BY NOVEMBER 15TH, BUT THIS YEAR THE 15TH FALLS ON A SATURDAY, SO THE PAYMENT MUST BE IN BY MONDAY, THE 17TH. If you pay in full by the 17^th, you will receive the 3% discount.

If you like to surf or are thinking of surfing, you should try Cerritos Beach in Baja CA. It is about 35 miles north of Cabo San Lucas and 10 south of Todo Santos.

The place is like the "old" time Mexico surf spots before they got crowded.

I have a lot co-listed for $280,000 usd. It has ocean and mountain views. Ready to build your surf spot.

It is with great excitement that the new homeowners who have participated inthe Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation's Mutual Self-Help Program at Terrace Court are moving in to their homes. These 6 homeowners have completed their townhome units on the South side of Ashland on Siskiyou Blvd at Park Street, and are moving in to their homes. Congratulations to these homeowners and the incredible support system they have had through Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation and Jobs Corp teams that have helped these six families' dreams to become homeowners a reality!

Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation is a local non-profit housing developer who has successfully built a number of homes for low income Jackson County residents.

RVCDC held their meeting this past week for interested homeowners looking to participate in their next project, townhomes to be located in the new Verde Village project, a community of not only energy efficient, but utility independent homes. For more information, contact John Wheeler or Roxana Zepeda at Rogue Valley Communtiy Development Corporation in Medford, Oregon (541) 734-2355.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487525/Affordable-Housing-for-Ashland

http://activerain.com/blogsview/294253/Utility-Independent-AND-Affordable

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

In the last two weeks I hosted two different political parties. At first I was kind of doing it for general business exposure, but then i also decided I was doing them as a favor to the candidates. What I found out was I really enjoyed talking politics to people (even if we vote different) because i get to ask my questions and here the answers. Also it is a chance to dispute rumors that I have heard.

I found that I am in the minority though. I sent 150 cards to my neighbors and 50 emails to my friends. None of the neighbors came??? I even had food and drinks. Oh, well their loss.

By the Way, I have both democrats and republicans candidates.