As a citizen member of our Baker City Budget Board I fully support the potential annexation of property near Interstate 84 as outlined in an article by the Baker City Herald. This strategic move aligns directly with Baker City’s airport modernization and broader “Baker Vision 2030” economic development plans, offering substantial long-term financial benefits.

The annexation could increase our annual property tax revenue by tens of thousands of dollars, but this is just one element of the overall economic impact. The land’s proximity to Interstate 84 and the Baker City Airport positions it perfectly for commercial and industrial development. This will attract businesses in logistics, aviation, and advanced technologies, particularly as we expand the airport to accommodate UAS/UAV flight school, manufacturing, and Pendleton UAS Range flight testing. The influx of businesses would further enhance our tax base, increasing both business infrastructure and license fees bolstering general fund revenue collections.

Moreover, as traffic and business activity rise with these developments, we can explore additional revenue streams such as a future city gasoline tax. With the increased commercial use of the airport and surrounding areas, a city gas tax could provide a consistent funding source for infrastructure improvements and maintenance, benefiting the community at large.

By integrating this annexation with our ongoing economic initiatives, we are setting Baker City on a sustainable path to growth, with diversified revenue sources to support our long-term financial health.

Michael Russell

Baker City