Let’s see, when it comes to stimulus what makes more sense:

Spending us into oblivion and raising taxes?

Taking the kicker, raising taxes, and building bike paths with “stimulus” money?

or doing what the Mayor of the City of Scappoose suggests:

Scappoose Economic Development Proposal

Scott Burge, Mayor, City of Scappoose

1. Business Licenses

Give Scappoose based business owners a break for 2010 by exempting businesses based in Scappoose from business license fee for 2010.

2. System Development Fees

Reduce system development fees for Roads and Sewer by 50% for any new private light industrial or commercial projects between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

3. Building Department Permits and Fees

Reduce Permits and Fees by 25% for all Building Department Permits and Fees for light industrial and commercial permits and fees between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. Accept City Manager Proposed budget and cover budget via general fund contingency budget. If necessary move $50,000 from cash carry over to contingency for this purpose.

4. Planning Department Permits and Fees

Reduce Permits and Fees by 25% for all Planning Department Permits and Fees for light industrial and commercial zoned properties between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. See above for covering budget.

5. Targeted Fee Breaks

As an example: Target Water Rate reductions for 3 years to brewery or brew pub locating in Scappoose. Give brewery a 50% water/sewer rate reduction for 3 years.

6. Economic Opportunity Webpage

Create web page that advertises available properties and vacancy on light industrial and commercial sites. Advertise demographics of Scappoose, tax rates, fee structures.

Hmmmm….let’s think…