Klamath Basin Business

KLAMATH BASIN

March 2018

Basin Business

Business

Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

Audiologist moving to new digs / Page 6

Housing sales heading up Best of the Basin draws huge crowd — Page 3 Craft 3 opens offices here — Page 7

FINANCIAL FOCuS: Don’t panic during Bear market — Page 5

H&N photo

There is still a lack of new housing in Klamath Falls, but some subdivisions, such as Sky Meadows above, are under construction. Bogatay Construction is building 32 apartment units at the site off Homedale Avenue, as well as apartments in other parts of town.

A publication of the Herald &

Chamber: www.klamath.org

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Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business

Housing sales drifting upward Lack of new homes in Basin remains a concern

By Gerry O’Brien H&N Editor

The old economic rule of thumb: High demand and low supply, is playing out in Klamath County when it comes to housing sales.

Compared to 2016, the volume of sales in 2017 has rocketed to 22 percent, according to Randy Shaw, government affairs director for the Klamath County Association of Realtors. Shaw tracks the information monthly.

“Our all categories market — which includes commercial, farm and ranch — is really surging more now than it was last year. Especially in the residential arena,” Shaw said.

Last year at this time, Shaw predicted that overall sales would rise from 9 percent to about 14 percent.

It actually hit 22 percent or a $79.2 million increase in dollar volume.

“Total dollar volume from 2017 compared to 2016 is 22 percent, just in residential sales all across the county. An increase of nearly $80 million. That’s on top of the increase we had from last year. A 22 percent increase is pretty significant.”

Shaw, the president of Coldwell Bank Holman Premier Realty.

In the 21 years he’s been in the business, the most awards in any one year for sales averaged about 10.

“This year, I have 16 award winners, the most I’ve ever seen. That means, there’s plenty (of sales opportunity) to go around for everybody,” he said.

Of the total properties sold last year, the increase in total units is only 12 percent, compared to the dollar value of 22 percent.

“So the average sales price is escalating,” Shaw said. “You’re selling more units, so that tells us the average sales price is going up, and our inventory is down.”

Two weeks ago, there were 180 only residential units on the market.

“The last time we saw that was 2003 and 2004 and we know what happened after that; the whole market collapsed. I don’t expect that this

H&N photos

Bogatay Construction is building 32 new apartments at the Sky Meadow subdivision off Homedale Avenue with hopes of having them ready for occupancy by September. At right, Phillip Pitts nails some siding to an apartmemt under construction.

time, however.”

Total dollar volume for residential homes only was $391 million in 2017.

“So we sold $391 million worth of homes in Klamath County, including the outlying areas such as Chiloquin, Bonanza. There were 347 units sold last year compared to 267 units in 2016,” he said.

Cause for pause Not all is rosy, however. There are some problems in the market, Shaw said. For instance, the commercial building market has been flat for the last couple of years.

“I believe our commercial market will really take off this year. I say that because when you have residential growth like we’re having right now — for two to three years — then the commercial growth follows. Right now it’s kind of flat, but I predict a surge,” Shaw said.

In 2016, 70 commercial units were sold for a valuation of $16.6 million.

Last year, 66 units were sold, but only for $9.3 million.

“We’ve regressed a little bit in the commercial properties, but I think this is the year we’ll see that market start to surge.”

Meanwhile, new housing construc-

A new family triplex is going up between Eighth and Seventh streets in downtown Klamath Falls.

tion remains far behind the demand.

“A certain percentage of the people coming here want new construction.

We’re seeing migration out of California because of its tax structure and the fact that people don’t feel safe there, or they’ve had enough of the congestion,” Shaw said.

But there is a lack of new homes going up, spec homes, and increased activity in the new subdivisions.

Shaw, who is managing the Ridgewater Estates land, said the owner there is building a few new spec homes.

“He’s becoming pretty aggressive in selling those properties.”

Likewise, Pheasant Run’s owners hope to move more of its properties, which have slowed recently.

“We have a pretty large inventory

of residential lots,” Shaw said. “They are just not infilling. There’s a lack of spec home building.”

In 2016, 294 single family lots were sold for dollar volume of $6.8 million. This year, 308 lots were sold for $6.8 million, a little less.

Finally, the average selling price of a home in the Basin in 2016 was $160,000. Last year, the average sales price was $176,850.

“That’s a pretty good lift, and hit helps with the sales of more expensive homes, the $350,000 and up. It shows they are starting to move too,” he said.

And, there is more access to appraisers now than last year. Last year, home appraisals took 90 to 120 days. It is now down to an average 45 to 60 days.

Basin Business

First-time home buyers savings account awaits governor’s sig The Oregon Legislature took a significant step toward addressing the state’s affordable housing crisis by passing House Bill 4007, establishing a First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account program.

Once signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown, the program will allow Oregonians to take a state tax deduction for saving money towards a down payment and other related costs associated with the purchase of their first home.

Polling indicated that 86 percent of Oregonians viewed saving enough for a down payment and closing costs as a significant obstacle to buying a home, prompting the Oregon Association of Realtors (OAR), among other prominent housing and related industry groups, to support the legislation.

“Oregon needs to find innovative ways to help the first-time buyers afford a home,” said Vikki Breese-lverson, a Prineville realtor, in a press release. “Giving people a break on the front-end of the home buying process will encourage and enable more people to step into home ownership.”

The program takes effect on the 91st day following 2018 session adjournment and applies to tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019, and before Jan. 1, 2025.

Qualified savings would be held in a special account opened at any Oregon bank or credit union.

Deposits into the account would be tax deductible up to $5,000 a year for individual filers and $10,000 a year for joint filers, with a maximum contribution of $50,000 over 10 years; interest earned on the account also would be tax free.

For more information: n Oregon First Home Coalition n HB 4007 Enrollment by the Oregon State Legislature n Economic & Fiscal Impacts Report of First-Time Home Buyers Savings Accounts in Oregon.

Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

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Best of the Basin a roaring success Members of the Klamath Spine, Rehab & Sports Centre celebrate their first-place win at the second annual Best of the Basin awards banquet hosted by the Herald and News March 14 at the Running Y Ranch and Resort. More than 3,000 people voted online for the event, with votes topping 50,000 for all business categories.

H&N Staff photos

More than 300 attended the dinner and ceremonies at the Running Y Ranch and Resort.

Herald and News Ad Director Ben Kenfield welcomes the crowd at the ceremony. Emcee Dan Neubauer entertained the crowd with song, dance and jokes while handing out the awards.

Mark Fay, M.D. Scott Stevens, M.D. Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye Physician/ Surgeon of the Eye

Edwin Tuhy, O.D. Optometrist

Jennifer Sparks, O.D. Optometrist

New Patients Welcome

2640 Biehn St. • 541.884.3148 • www.klamatheyecenter.com

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Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business

Audiologist moves to new building

Women’s History Month noted

Klamath Audiology is moving into its own building in May. The firm, run by audiologist Melissa Tolstikhine for the last nine years, will be moving from the second floor of the Nash building at 404 Main St. in Klamath Falls, just around the corner to 123 N. Fourth St. The building had previously been owned by Klamath County and house a veterans office.

Tolstikhine has been an audiologist for some 16 years and has worked previously in Spokane, Wash. Her staff includes Jennifer and Cherie Brewster.

The move will be done over Mother’s Day weekend, May 13.

House of the operation are Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to noon. Call 541-884-6101 for details.

From a press release March is Women’s History Month.

This is a time to focus not just on women’s achievements, but on the challenges women continue to face.

In the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history.

Social Security has served a vital role in the lives of women for over 80 years. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women may have decades to enjoy retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a female born today can expect to live more than 80 years. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

A great place to start is with Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. It gives you a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits.

Plug in different retirement ages and projected earnings to get an idea of how such things might change your future benefit amounts. You can use this valuable tool at http://www. socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

You should also visit Social Security’s financial planning website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your benefits.

Your benefits are based on your earnings, so you should create your personal my Social Security account to verify that your earnings were reported correctly. Your account also can provide estimates of your future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. You can access my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount.

If you want more information, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It’s called Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find at http:// www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.

‘Something Blue’ in same building

Also at the same building is “Something Blue,” a wedding gown and tuxedo shop. Owned and operated by Lacey Case at 133 N. Fourth and Pine Streets, the shop sells bridal gowns, men’s suits, prom dresses and rents tuxedos.

Case has been in the business 25 years and moved to the new location in September 2017.

She offers alterations to wedding apparel and suits via Margaret Thompson. And she has men’s suits and shoes she can sell at warehouse prices. “There really isn’t a men’s suit store in town anymore,” she said. Shop hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays until 4 p.m.

Klamath County Chamber of Commerce 205 Riverside Drive, Ste. A Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Office: 541-884-5193 Fax: 541-884-5195

H&N staff photo

Klamath Audiology, operated by Melissa Tolstikhine, above, will move to 123 N. Fourth St. in May. Tolstikhine has been in practice in Klamath Falls for nine years. Below is “Something Blue” in the same builidng.

Executive Board Heather Tramp, Executive director Email: heathert@klamath.org www.klamath.org www.facebook.com/Klamath Chamber twitter.com/AccessKlamath

President: Wes French First Vice President: Rachael Spoon Treasurer/Secretary: Jennifer Scanlan Members: Jason Chapman, Sergio Cisneros, George Ormsbee Immediate Past President: Todd Andres

Basin Business

Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

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— FINANCIAL FOCUS —

Investors: Don’t panic if Bear Market returns If you’re in your twenties or thirties, you might be starting to focus more on investing to reach your financial goals. Because of this, you also may be more attuned to moves in the financial markets.

Depending on your age, you may have only experienced the bull market of the past nine years, so you might not know what to expect — or how to respond — whenever the next bear market strikes.

Of course, just recently, you’ve witnessed a market correction — a drop of at least 10 percent in the major stock market indices, such as the S&P 500.

This sudden plunge made big news and reminded many investors of how volatile the financial markets can be.

But a full-fledged bear market usually isn’t identified until the markets are down 20 percent from their recent highs. Plus, bear markets, unlike corrections, tend to linger for a while.

The last “bear” emerged from hibernation in October 2007 and stayed on the prowl until early March 2009.

During that time, the S&P 500 declined by about 50 percent.

Clearly, investors were not happy – but the market recovered and moved to new heights.

This long and strong run-up may have obliterated your bear market memories, if you ever had them at all. And that’s why you might want to familiarize yourself with some of the bare facts about bear markets: n Bear markets may provide good buying opporunities. When gas is expensive, you may just buy a few gallons at a time – but when the price falls, you’re probably more likely to fill up your tank.

The same principle can apply to investing – when stock prices are down, your investment dollars will

buy more shares. And the more shares you own, the greater your ability to build wealth once the share price rises. In short, a bear market may provide you with a chance to buy quality investments at good prices. n Bear markets don’t last forever. No one can predict precisely how long bear markets will run, but they’ve typically been much shorter than bull markets. So, while you might not particularly like looking at your investment statement during a decline, you can take some comfort in knowing such downturns are a normal feature of the investment landscape. n Bear markets don’t affect all investments equally. If you only own U.S. stocks, your portfolio may well take a sizable hit during a bear market. But other types of investment vehicles may not be as directly affected – and some may even show positive results.

Consequently, you could reduce the bear’s “bite” if you also own a variety of other investments, such as international stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and so on.

However, while owning this type of diversified portfolio can help reduce the impact of market volatility, it does not guarantee profits or protect against losses.

A bear market can be challenging. But by making the right moves, such as staying patient, looking for buying opportunities and maintaining a diversified portfolio, you may be able to prevent a market decline from becoming unbearable.

Submitted by: Meredith Hoffman Financial Advisor-Edward Jones 1307 S Alameda Ave, Suite B Klamath Falls, OR 97603 541-273-2483

February jobless stats unchanged The employment situation in Klamath and Lake counties was largely unchanged over the past several months. Unemployment rates remained stable with Klamath County posting strong job growth over the past year.

Klamath County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained largely unchanged at 6.1 percent in February from 6.0 percent in January. Unemployment levels also remain little changed from this time last year when the rate was 5.9 percent.

Klamath County added 80 jobs in February, fewer gains than typically expected this time of year. Slower seasonal hiring isn’t particularly concerning as the county saw fewer job losses than typically expected earlier in the winter.

Job growth over the past year continued at a relatively fast pace with the county adding 780 jobs (+3.5 percent). Job growth was concentrated in retail trade and leisure and hospitality. Health care also posted notable gains over the past year, however the gain of 450 jobs is large-

ly a reflection of home care workers moving from state government into private health care.

Lake County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5 percent in February. The rate was 5.8 percent in February 2017.

The county added 20 jobs in February, fairly typical hiring for this time of year.

The employment level is unchanged from this time last year.

As with Klamath County, education and health services looks like it posted large employment gains over the past year, however this is a reflection of home care workers being reported in the private sector rather than state government.

Revisions using payroll tax records revealed a more rosy employment situation in both Klamath and Lake counties.

The region posted strong job growth over the past year; in fact, the rate of job growth in both counties was amongst the fastest of nonmetro counties in the state.

KLAMATH BASIN

Business

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Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

‘Smart Meters’ coming in May

Basin Business

Meter reading a thing of the past Pacific Power is rolling out an upgrade to the Oregon grid in 2018 and 2019 by replacing 590,000 electric meters at Oregon homes and businesses with new smart meters. Installers will begin appearing in the Klamath Basin in May to begin replacing nearly 47,000 meters in the area, work that will last through July.

These digital smart meters can send and receive basic communications through a secure wireless network, and represent a big step forward in modernizing our entire grid.

The upgraded smart grid will make it possible to adjust the flow of energy to meet specific needs, exactly the infrastructure needed to support both rising technological demands and a clean energy future.

Benefits important to customers It’s a simple piece of technology, but it offers real benefits to both residential and commercial customers. n Smart meters instantly track outages, meaning Pacific Power can respond faster leading to shorter outages overall. n Customers will be able to view

their power usage history on an hourly timescale, so they can adjust their activity to reduce both their carbon footprint and bill. The meter only measures overall power use.

It cannot tell what the customer is doing inside the home. n Businesses can get even more detailed usage reporting (15 minute increments) which will can provide insight to help them cut costs and make investments in items that help their business grow.

How the technology works Smart meters are mature proven technology deployed in 70 million US homes, which is more than half the homes in the country.

Smart meters are a two-way communication device designed to replace traditional meters that have to be read manually. A smart meter measures the amount of electricity a

home or business uses and transmits the information using low frequency radio waves (which are safe and not associated with any negative health effects). In fact, living near a smart meter for 20 years is no different than making a single, 30-minute cell phone call.

The smart meters are part of a smart grid that uses digital sensors and automated controls. Using two-way communication between the sensors, the smart grid can automatically reroute the flow of energy when an outage occurs anywhere in its system.

Changing energy world The original grid was designed 100 years ago, in a time when energy flowed in a single direction from large power plants to individual customers. We’ve been upgrading the grid over the years to adapt to new technology and to help integrate additional energy sources that can without stressing the grid . These smart meters represent a big step toward modernizing the entire grid.

Loan agency opens office in Klamath Falls Nonprofit lender Craft3 is now open in Klamath Falls, according to a press release.

The company’s new location will be staffed by Stephanie Hirche, a banker with nearly 20 years of experience.

The office, which will serve all of Southern Oregon, will be co-located with the Washburn location of Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union.

“Craft3 has a great track record of bringing resources to rural communities throughout the Northwest,” said Chad Olney, president and CEO of Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union.

“Craft3 and Pacific Crest have similar missions and a complementary set of services which together bring a broader array of opportunities to the Klamath Basin.

Having them here is a big win for us.”

Most recently, Hirche was an assistant vice president and commercial relationship manager for Banner Bank in Eugene. She has worked in the banking industry for nearly 20 years.

“Creating jobs in Southern Oregon requires access to capital for small business. But as a former banker, I know that traditional financial products simply don’t meet the needs of all entrepreneurs. That’s where Craft3

fits in. They approach capital in an unconventional way, and I’m excited to be on the team,” said Hirche.

Craft3 announced its expansion to Klamath Falls in July 2017. Since then, it has been meeting with community leaders, evaluating physical office space, and conducting a hiring process.

In August 2017, Craft3 made a major investment in Klamath Falls-based REACH, Inc. as part of a $7 million project to preserve and expand the nonprofit’s facility.

The office co-located at the Washburn branch of Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union is expected to be temporary while Craft3 conducts additional hiring over the remainder of 2018. Once fully staffed, the company plans to establish a more-permanent standalone location in the downtown area.

About Craft3 Founded in 1994, Craft3 is a regional nonprofit that makes loans in Oregon and Washington. Learn more at www.Craft3.org.

Social Security

Five facts you may not know about benefits

By KIMBERLY HERRMANN Social Security Public Affairs

Most people know at least something about Social Security. For decades, Social Security has been providing valuable information and tools to help you build financial security. Here’s your opportunity to find out a little more, with some lesser-known facts about Social Security.

1. Social Security pays benefits to children.

Social Security pays benefits to unmarried children whose parents are deceased, disabled, or retired.

See Benefits for Children at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-0510085.pdf for the specific requirements.

2. Social Security can pay benefits to parents.

Most people know that when a worker dies, we can pay benefits to surviving spouses and children.

What you may not know is that under certain circumstances, we can pay benefits to a surviving parent. Read our Fact Sheet Parent’s Benefits, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10036.pdf, for the details.

3. Widows’ and widowers’ payments can continue if remarriage occurs after age 60.

Remarriage ends survivor’s benefits when it occurs before age 60, but benefits can continue for marriages after age 60.

4. If a spouse draws reduced retirement benefits before starting spouse’s benefits (his or her spouse is younger), the spouse will not receive 50 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.

Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age amount if you are full retirement age when you take it. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a spouse’s benefit, we always pay your own benefit first. (For example, you are eligible for $400 from your own

Basin Business

Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

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Thursday, March 29, 2018, Herald and News

Basin Business March 2018 Newsletter

Ore gon State Senator Dennis Linthicum – District 28 I represent the citizens of Senate District 28, which includes all, or part of Þve rural, mostly-eastern Oregon counties: Jackson, Klamath, Lake, Deschutes and Crook.

Senator Dennis Linthicum OR Senate District 28

As Senator of one of the largest Senate districts in our state, it Capitol Phone: is extremely important that my constituents remain in contact Capitol Address: with me about the issues and concerns that affect their lives.

I encourage you to use the information here as a resource and to contact my ofÞce by either phone or e-mail so that I can know how to best serve you. I am honored to be here in Salem Þghting for your freedom and liberty.

503-986-1728 900 Court St. NE, S-305 Salem, Oregon 97301

E-Mail: sen.DennisLinthicum@OregonLegislature.gov Website ebsite:

The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws – Tacitus As I travel, meet and talk with my constituents in Senate District 28 several items always come to the top of our discussion lists. Most people express continued concern for a standard litany of issues: the degradation of our traditional American culture; the need for fewer regulations and obstacles for business; freer markets with fewer tariffs; and a return to our American constitutional roots.

Unfortunately, the 2018 legislative Òshort-sessionÓ scuttled perfectly legitimate efforts aimed at reigning in OregonÕs governmental enterprise.

Bipartisanship became the media watchword while the Democratic leadership silently pursued their own progressive political agenda. For those of us in South, Central and Eastern Oregon, this is just a glimpse of what will happen in 2019 if there are no substantial changes in OregonÕs House, Senate or Executive ofÞces.

This well-orchestrated short session circumvented attempts at meaningful change. It also sandbagged citizens by limiting their participation in condensed committee schedules.

Therefore, substantial policy issues were forced through without transparency or the time necessary to pursue alternative solutions.

Despite these challenges, I and my Senate Republican colleagues effectively stopped numerous hyper-partisan, tax and spend issues from becoming law in 2018.

In particular, two bills which I adamantly opposed were HB 4001 and SB 1507. These two Cap and Trade bills were only used for political posturing and represent the worst of the DemocratÕs agenda. They both have insurmountable problems. First, they would burden taxpayers

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with a minimum of $700 million dollars in extra taxes, annually. Second, neither would make a discernible difference in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, without any Republican support, the Democrat majority passed SB 1528, which will create a whopping 30% tax increase on OregonÕs sole proprietors, small and family owned businesses and LLCÕs. This partisan tax scheme will force 192,000 small businesses to pay $258 million in 2018 taxes while protecting large multinational corporations who are able to game the system.

Another bill which never made it out of committee was HB 4016. Environmental groups and tribal interests spoke against this straight-forward and common-sense Þx for the Klamath Irrigation District (KID). This bill would have allowed temporary transfers within the KID district boundaries to other land within their boundary. In KID these place of use changes would have allowed the district to remedy original mapping and boundary errors without exceeding the water right in the original claim.

I was a Chief Sponsor of HB 4005 which passed.

This bill is intended to help grapple with the high costs of prescription drugs and the harm that patients and consumers experience by exposing the details behind cost increases for pharmaceutical products. This bill only requires reporting for drugs costing more than $100 per month that increase by more than 10% on an annual basis.

I sponsored HB 4100 which also passed. This bill enforces property rights for facilities that provide

http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/linthicum equine therapy or counseling activities in areas zoned for exclusive farm use (EFU). This will allow speciÞc therapeutic service providers to continue utilizing our abundant natural resources, domesticated livestock and nonclinical rural environments for creating healthy, wholesome and meaningful interactions for their clients.

Another common-sense bill which I sponsored was HB 4008. It passed, making calculations of projected future earnings based on race or ethnicity of a plaintiff inadmissible. Since, we believe that all people carry enormous potential and are each endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights, it seems only logical that any civil calculations for projected future earnings reßect those beliefs.

I sponsored and supported HB 4036, which passed. This bill allows homeschooled and public charter school students to participate in various types of interscholastic activities, including sports, band, choir and technical education programs. School Districts can determine the costs and may charge participating students within limits set by the bill.

My deep appreciation for the lessons of history and the dangers of unconstrained government, will continue to inform my perspective. Only a constitutionally limited government will enable its citizens to reach their fullest potential by defending them against the bureaucraciesÕ perpetual tendency toward Þscal irresponsibility.

OregonÕs unrelenting drift toward collectivism will eventually swallow us, our families and our businesses without liberty-minded citizenÕs and leaders standing up for our individual freedom.

Legislators need to be constantly reminded of the ancient words from Tacitus, ÒThe more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.Ó

If we don’t stand for rural Oregon values and common-sense – no one will!