BEND, OR -- After agreeing earlier this week not to ask voters for a gas tax in November, Bend City Councilors narrowly approved putting a local tax on the ballot next March.

The meeting got contentious at times. Councilor Sally Russell introduced the proposal to send a gas tax to voters in the spring. "As I stated it, I move to place a fuel tax measure on the March ballot in 2016. Certainly, it allows for a lot of conversation and a lot of discussion to go forward. I encourage that and I think that’s important and that’s one of the reasons this is a general basis to start." Councilor Doug Knight responded with, "But, your motion comes before we’ve had an opportunity to develop a timeline and potential funding sources for multi-modal and sidewalk needs." It was approved 4-3, with Mayor Jim Clinton and Councilors Russell, Nathan Boddie and Barb Campbell in favor.

The same four approved the formation of a subcommittee which would create other road maintenance funding options. Councilor Casey Roats was one of the three to vote against both proposals. "If this council has the votes to go ahead and get something on, then why do we need the committee? If the intention is, this is the only option, then just put it on the ballot. We don’t need to put these people through two months of meetings if there’s a predetermined outcome. One of the big reasons we want to make sure there are other options is that the fuel tax is a failing revenue stream." Roats cited the state's new road user charge known as "OreGo" as an example of other agencies that he says recognize the gas tax isn't sustainable.