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Multnomah County, Oregon, Measure 26-211, Library Bond Issue (November 2020)
| Multnomah County Measure 26-211 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic County bonds | |
Status Approved | |
| Type Referral | Origin Lawmakers |
A bond issue to fund county library renovations was on the ballot for voters in Multnomah County, Oregon, on November 3, 2020. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported authorizing the county to issue $387 million in bonds to finance library renovations and imposing a property tax of $61 per $100,000 of assessed value to repay the bonds. |
A "no" vote opposed authorizing the county to issue $387 million in bonds to finance library renovations. |
A simple majority vote was required for the approval of Measure 26-211. Multnomah County voters last approved a library bond in May 1996 totaling $28 million.[1]
Election results
|
Multnomah County Measure 26-211 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
264,711 | 59.64% | ||
| No | 179,102 | 40.36% | ||
Measure design
The measure would authorize the Multnomah County library system to issue a $387 million bond to fund the following:
- enlarge and renovate eight county libraries,
- build a 'flagship' library in East County,
- add speed to library internet, and
- create a handling center to disburse materials across the library system.
The measure would also authorize the county to impose a tax at the rate of $61 per $100,000 of assessed property value to repay the bonds. It will also establish an independent bond oversight committee to audit the funds.
At the time of the election, the property tax rate for Multnomah County Library District was $122 per $100,000 of assessed value.[2]
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:
| “ | Shall County expand, modernize, rebuild, acquire land for library facilities; issue $387,000,000 in general obligation bonds, with oversight, audits? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article Xl of the Oregon Constitution.[3] | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was as follows:
| “ | If approved, the Library bond would authorize the County to issue up to $387 million in general obligation bonds to update, renovate, construct, and refresh libraries across the county. More space would be provided for Library programs, and public meetings: and to sit, read, study, work and learn. Access to computers, digital devices and high-speed internet would be increased in every branch. More library space would be made available for East Portland and East Multnomah County. Specifically, if approved, the bonds would:
1. Enlarge and modernize eight County libraries, some in each part of the county; including Albina, Belmont, Holgate, Midland, North Portland, Northwest, and St. Johns; 2. Build a 'flagship' library in East County similar in capacity to Central Library in downtown Portland; 3. Add gigabit speed internet to all library facilities; 4. Create a central materials handling and distribution center to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness; and 5. Pay for furnishings, equipment, site improvements, land acquisition, and bond issuance costs. If approved, the 9-year $387 million bond is estimated to cost approximately $0.61 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Actual rates may vary. An independent bond oversight committee, and annual audits, will help ensure funds are used as intended.[3] |
” |
Full text
The full text can be read here.
Support
Supporters
Officials
- Multnomah County Commissioner Susheela Jayapal (Nonpartisan)
- Multnomah County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury (Nonpartisan)
- Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran (Nonpartisan)
- Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson (Nonpartisan)
- Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann (Nonpartisan)
Political Parties
Arguments
Opposition
Ballotpedia did not identify committees, organizations, or individuals opposing the ballot measure. If you are aware of any opponents or opposing arguments, please send an email with a link to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Background
Multnomah County library system
As of 2020, the Multnomah County library system was the fourth busiest library system in the country. The county library budget for fiscal year 2021 was $92.2 million. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the library system was checking out approximately 17,000 items per day.[4]
The last vote to expand library space was in May 1996 when voters approved a $28 million bond.[1]
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a unanimous vote of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.[5]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Multnomah County, "Board approves Library bond measure for November ballot," March 6, 2020
- ↑ Multnomah County Library, "Library funding," accessed September 2, 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Oregon Live, "Multnomah County Library announces eliminated positions ahead of layoffs; staffers question management’s plans," August 6, 2020
- ↑ Multnomah County Elections Division, "Notice of Measure," accessed August 31, 2020
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