Oakland's commission talks tax for road pavings

Oakland town commissioners discussed a special assessment for residents upset about dust coming from asphalt millings in Oakland Shores. 

During the Oakland Town Commission’s July 8 meeting, Oakland’s Scott Hren brought a petition signed by his neighbors to have Oakland Shores’ streets paved.

The town’s attorney, Stephanie Velo, researched the special assessment, which would cover the street pavings by increasing property taxes of Oakland Shores’ residents and brought her findings to the July 22 meeting.

To impose the special assessment, Velo said a consultant needs to be hired to talk about costs and lead the town through the changes. 

She said public hearings must happen throughout the process to approve the assessment. Velo said it’s not a simple process, but it’s certainly manageable if residents want the roads paved now.

Because residents of Oakland Shores want their roads paved specifically, they would have to pay for the paving themselves, adding to their property taxes.

Oakland Shores residents expressed concern over the special assessment, saying it’s not fair for them to pay for the paving. 

“It would be a burden put on us to have to pay for the pavements ourselves,” Oakland Shores resident Sara Myer said. “Asphalt would last a lot longer (than millings) … and we’d all go away.” 

Some residents said they would rather go back to dirt roads than have the current millings.

Mayor Shane Taylor expressed his gratitude for all residents who showed up to the meeting but said it all comes down to the town’s finances. He said no one on the Town Commission wants to implement the special assessment.

“I stress our budget is very limited,” he said. “The town doesn’t have the money to go through and pave roads.” 

Commissioner Kris Keller said the town has tried to find a solution that would work, but it only can afford millings at the moment. 

Taylor said the special assessment is the only option to fix the issue now. 

Commissioner Sal Ramos said if the residents have some patience, the town would be able to complete paving in five years through a five-year plan currently in place.

Hren argued the ad valorem tax is a tactic to make the milling issue go away for the town, but that idea was shut down by the commissioners and some residents spectating. 

The town will continue this discussion once new millings are put down and residents can see the difference. 

IN OTHER NEWS: 

• The town approved the serving of alcoholic beverages at Music Under the Oaks in VanderLey Park. 
• State Rep. Leonard Spencer attended the meeting to provide a legislative update, including some challenges such as local control and housing affordability. He said he is working with other representatives to ensure everyone’s voices are heard. He also said there will be pay increases for law enforcement and first responders. 
• Oakland’s fire fee increased by $2.3 million, and it is accounted for in this year’s town budget.
• The state approved $1.5 million in grants, which will help the town with its septic sewer program. 
• Oakland’s roundabout — located at the intersection of Oakland Avenue, J.W. Jones Road, State Road 50 and the West Orange Trail, on the west end of Oakland Avenue near West Colonial Drive — will be completed once all parts have arrived.