Rosalia mayor urges legislature to bump tax cap, okay fiber lines

Rosalia Mayor Nanette Konishi has continued to be active in the 2017 legislative session, so far making three trips to Olympia since the session began Jan. 9.

“We're on our way there right now,” Konishi told the Gazette Monday, Feb. 13.

In the past, the town has been present in Olympia for action days, but this year has been present for not only action days but was also asked to testify in favor of House Bill 1702 regarding legislation to update port district authority for fiber installation and leasing and is also lobbying for support for House Bill 1764. That bill would change the state's property tax one percent revenue increase cap from one percent to an adjustment for inflation.

The mayor said she supports legislation to change the property tax cap because it would give towns and cities much more room in their budgets.

“The cap right now is set so that it's one percent,” she said. “If we adjust it for inflation, you're at least working in conjunction with the rest of what's happening.”

When asked how residents in Rosalia feel about the legislation, the mayor said she is wanting to get the word out about it.

“I'm not sure how many of them are aware of what it is,” she said. “The cap at one percent doesn't give us much to work with. If it is two or three percent, it wouldn't be a big impact on them. It would just be going with the flow.”

Konishi said she is hoping to put together a community dinner in March to discuss the legislation, as well as town goals. The mayor also wrote a letter to the legislature, dated Feb. 3, in support of the legislation, citing several items for consideration.

“We are dealing with infrastructure upgrades, while working to recover from the economic downturn of past years by welcoming new families to the area, encouraging business entrepreneurs and continuing to make Rosalia a safe and healthy place to live and work,” she wrote.

“Loss of liquor revenues and the elimination of the Public Works Trust Fund has had a major impact on where and how our council budgets our existing revenues.

The economic downturn affected property values which in turn reduced the final dollar amount that we received for general property taxes as well as the one percent allowed yearly tax increase.

Lifting the one percent cap to more accurately reflect inflation would be a significant help for our budgeting.”

Konishi noted the bill would give the authority to local representatives. The bill provides for the cap to be increased up to five percent and to be in line with inflation and population growth.

Konishi also told the Gazette about her support for the house bill regarding port district authority for fiber installation and leasing. She said she is excited about this legislation, as it would increase broadband access in rural communities.

“It's perfect as far as I'm concerned,” she said. “It's a huge thing for Rosalia, and it if works it will benefit rural communities across the country.”

The bill is being sponsored by Ninth District Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy, and is currently in committee in the House. A companion bill has also been introduced in the Senate, and that bill was set for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy, Environment & Telecommunications earlier this week. The bill would give port districts more authority for installation of fiber.

“We've been doing this for 17 years,” said Port Executive Director Joe Poiré, noting the expanded authority is what is key to growth. “This is really what needs to happen to get broadband in rural communities.”

Mayor Konishi also wrote a letter to the legislature in regard to the fiber bill.

“Reliable and affordable high speed internet is a crucial piece of the success puzzle we are working to assemble,” she said in her letter.