David Runkel

3 weeks ago | theashlandchronicle.com | David Runkel |Martin Pengelly |Maya Yang

Cotta Hints at Imposition of Monthly Parks Fee;Other Fee and Special Tax Increases  By David RunkelCity Manager Sabrina Cotta yesterday broadly hinted that imposition of a monthly parks fee on all Ashland households and increases in other fees and the electric tax may be part of adjustments in “service levels and revenue streams to ensure a balanced budget” for the next two fiscal years beginning July 1.

4 weeks ago | theashlandchronicle.com | David Runkel |Dominic Rushe |Callum Jones |Justin McCurry

SOU Selling 7 Houses, 7 Vacant Lots3/27/25By David RunkelTo raise money to fill a budget gap, Southern Oregon University plans to sell seven small houses, six vacant lots and a parking lot near the campus.

1 month ago | theashlandchronicle.com | David Runkel |Maya Yang |Chris Stein |Tom Ambrose

Franko Drops Out of School Board Race3/21/25By David RunkelIncumbent School Board Member JIll Franko has withdrawn from the May 20 election for a second term, leaving Board Chair Rebecca Dyson as the only current board member seeking re-election. Franko has been one of the board members most closely involved in promoting construction of a 90-unit housing project on a high school athletic field at North Mountain Avenue and East Main Street.

1 month ago | theashlandchronicle.com | David Runkel |Victoria Bekiempis |Rachel Leingang |Sean Ingle

New Water Treatment Plant – Who Should Pay? 3/21/25Commentary By David RunkelThere are those in the city government contending that one of the main reasons for increasing water rates by 90 percent over the next five years is that rates have not been increased for  six years. That’s correct. But it’s also correct that during that time, the water fund has been accumulating a huge pile of money – $19 million on Dec. 24, 2024 – because rates were set far higher than needed to fund current operations.

1 month ago | theashlandchronicle.com | David Runkel |Chris Stein |Tom Ambrose |Yohannes Lowe

Council Hears Plea to Protect Manufactured Home Parks3/18/25By David RunkelAfter city planners last night outlined a schedule to City Council for coming up with zoning regulations on manufactured home parks, residents of one park on Clay Street urged that their homes be protected “for a long time.”Delores Nims, spokesperson for resident of Wingspread Mobile home Park off Clay Street, told councilors, “there are three mobile home parks in Ashland.  They represent low cost housing.