Portland, Oregon, Measure 26-213, Recreation and Parks Levy (November 2020)
| Portland Measure 26-213 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Local property tax | |
Status Approved | |
| Type Referral | Origin Lawmakers |
A levy to fund recreation programs and park services was on the ballot for Portland voters in Multnomah County, Oregon, on November 3, 2020. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported enacting a tax at the rate of $80 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2021 to fund recreational programs and park services. |
A "no" vote opposed enacting a tax at the rate of $80 per $100,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2021 to fund recreational programs and park services. |
A simple majority vote was required for the approval of Measure 26-213. The city council estimated that the property tax would raise approximately $45 million in the first year of its effect.
Election results
|
Portland Measure 26-213 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
235,715 | 63.94% | ||
| No | 132,958 | 36.06% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot question
The ballot question was as follows:
| “ | Shall Portland protect, restore recreation programs, parks, nature, clean water; 5-year operating levy, $0.80 per $1,000 assessed value, beginning 2021? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.[1] | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was as follows:
| “ | This Measure would allow the City of Portland to levy $0.80 per $1 ,000 assessed value for five years for the purpose of operating the park system. The services and programs to be funded by this measure are planned to include, but are not limited to:
A community oversight committee will be appointed to review levy expenditures and to report annually to City Council. The Measure also directs the Bureau to provide for a performance audit to ensure that services funded by the levy are consistent with voter intent. The City estimates that the levy tax rate of $0.80/$1,000 assessed value would cost a median residential property approximately $13 per month, and would raise approximately $45 million in the first year, with an estimated average of $48 million raised each year for the five-year period. If this Measure is not approved, taxes for Park services will not be assessed.[1] |
” |
Full text
The full text can be read here.
Support
Supporters
Officials
- Portland mayor Ted Wheeler (Nonpartisan)
- Portland City Commissioner Chloe Eudaly (Nonpartisan)
- Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz (Nonpartisan)
- Portland City Commissioner Dan Ryan (Nonpartisan)
Arguments
Opposition
Opponents
Officials
- Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty (Nonpartisan)
Arguments
Background
Portland Parks and Recreation
As of 2020, Portland Parks and Recreation consisted of 11,666 acres. It was served by 566 full-time employees and 2,805 part-time or seasonal employees. It reported that 94% of Portland residents visited one of the parks in 2019.[2]
Portland Parks and Recreation's budget for fiscal year 2020 was $253.8 million. The top three areas of expense were capital development ($109,619,574), business services ($43,929,111), and park maintenance ($18,693,092).[3]
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a 3-0 vote of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, with Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty absent.[4]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ City of Portland, "2019 Park System by the Numbers," accessed September 2, 2020
- ↑ City of Portland, "Portland Parks and Recreation FY 20 Budget," accessed September 2, 2020
- ↑ Multnomah County Elections Division, "Notice of Measure," accessed August 31, 2020
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