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The City of Portland, Oregon

Auditor Simone Rede

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Notice of Receipt of Ballot Title (03/05/18)

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF BALLOT TITLE

Notice is hereby given that a ballot title for an initiative petition has been filed with the Elections Office of the City of Portland on March 5, 2018.

The ballot title is as follows:

CAPTION

Imposes surcharge on certain retailers; funds clean energy, job training.

QUESTION

Shall large retailers (defined) pay 1% surcharge on Portland revenues to fund clean renewable energy projects, job training programs?

SUMMARY

Measure amends code to require large retailers in Portland (those with total revenue of over 1 billion dollars annually and Portland revenue of over $500,000 annually) to pay 1% surcharge on gross revenue from retail sales within Portland into a new Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. Certain sales of groceries, medicine or drugs, and health care services are not included in gross revenue.

Funds can only be spent on:

Clean Energy Projects (approximately 50-75%): renewable energy, energy efficiency and green infrastructure projects, such as:

  • Energy not produced from fossil fuels, nuclear power or hydropower that potentially harms aquatic species
  • Heating, lighting, water and cooling efficiencies
  • Green building design
  • Urban tree canopy

Clean Energy Jobs Training (approximately 20-25%): training that prioritizes workforce development for disadvantaged workers, such as:

  • Communities of color
  • Women
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Chronically underemployed

Future Innovation (approximately 5%)

Accountability measures:

  • Resident committee makes funding recommendations, oversees progress on goals.
  • Annual financial audit; performance audit every two years.
  • Administrative costs cannot exceed 5%.

Other provisions.

The City Auditor has determined this measure meets the requirements of Article IV, Section 1(2) (d) and (5) of the Oregon Constitution. An elector may file a petition for review of this ballot title in the Multnomah County Circuit Court no later than 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

MARY HULL CABALLERO

Portland City Auditor