On May 29, 2002, the Portland City Council referred the following measure to be decided by voters at the municipal Election on November 5, 2002. The ballot title was revised and the measure resubmitted July 24th by City Council resolution 36088.

 

 

CAPTION: Five-year levy to restore park services, repairs, recreation programs.

 

QUESTION: Shall Portland repair, restore maintenance to parks, playgrounds, pools; levy $.39 per $1,000 assessed valuation for five years beginning 2003? (This measure may cause property taxes to increase by more than three percent.)

 

SUMMARY: This levy previously won two-thirds voter support in May but could not be put into effect because of inadequate voter turnout.

 

Since 1997 Portland Parks and Recreation has had to reduce maintenance, repair, safety in parks, playgrounds, play fields, community pools and recreation centers, and reduce park restroom hours because park usage has increased, facilities have aged further, and resources haven't kept up.

 

Levy funds will:

 

Restore basic park maintenance including litter removal, restroom cleaning, mowing, natural area and trail care;
Correct urgent safety problems with playground equipment, play fields, community centers, pools;
Repair some playing fields around schools in Centennial, David Douglas, Reynolds, Parkrose and Portland school districts;
Restore cuts to after-school tutoring, recreation activities, and summer playground program - providing kids safe, constructive places to go.

If levy fails, park cleaning, repairs, recreation programs will not be restored.

 

The rate is estimated to raise the following revenue: $8.8 million in 2003-04, $9.4 million in 2004-05, $9.9 million in 2005-06, $10.4 million in 2006-07, and $10.9 million in 2007-08, for a total of $49.4 million over 5 years.

 

Levy is $.39 per $1,000 assessed value. A home valued at $150,000 would pay $59 per year, $5 per month.