BALLOT TITLE
GRESHAM PARKS AND RECREATION OPERATIONS FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX
QUESTION: Shall Gresham levy 8¢ per $1000 tax assessed value for five years starting 2001-2002 to fund Parks and Recreation?
This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
SUMMARY: A "Yes" vote on this measure is a vote to increase taxes.
All of the City's existing property taxes are dedicated to police and fire. Citizen committees and City Council have determined that additional funding is needed to maintain and restore parks and recreation operations and offer related programs and services. This levy would serve the recreation needs of the community including youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families.
This five-year local option tax would start July 1, 2001 and is computed each year at a rate of eight cents for each thousand dollars of tax assessed value.
An estimate of the total amount to be raised each fiscal year is:
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
Total
$ 401,188
423,846
447,820
473,583
490,278
$ 2,236,715
This levy would cost the owner of a home with a tax assessed value of $150,000 about $12 per year. This levy is subject to the local government $10 rate limit of Section 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
This levy would cost the owner of a home with a tax assessed value of $150,000 about $12 per year. This levy is subject to the local government $10 rate limit of Section 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
GRESHAM PARKS AND RECREATION OPERATIONS FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX
MEASURE 26-20
The City of Gresham proposes a levy of eight cents per $1000 tax assessed value for five years starting 2001-2002 to fund Parks and Recreation. Separate measures propose funding to build or remodel a building and operate a Community Center.
All of the City's existing property taxes are dedicated to police and fire. In the current budget, funds for Parks and Recreation have been cut or placed on one-time funding. The Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee, the Finance Committee and the City Council all have determined that additional funding is needed to maintain and restore parks and recreation operations and offer related programs and services.
This levy would serve the recreation needs of the community including early childhood, youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families. This levy would restore funding for recreation services currently provided to the community through the 2000-2001 budget year only. Volunteer & Special services provide the community gardens and Gresham Little Theater as well as dedicated services for persons of disability. Sports & Outdoor services provide aquatics programs, adult sports leagues, and sports fields management. Senior services include the partnership with the Gresham Senior Center, the Senior Seeking Challenges programs and special events for seniors. Early Childhood & Families services include the Little Trykes Play park and Cottontail Preschool programs and community family nights programs. Community Recreation liaison facilitates activities for business development, special events, future planning, and revenue development services. These services have been placed on one-time funding by the Budget Committee and City Council.
This five-year local option tax would start July 1, 2001 and is computed each year at a rate of eight cents for each thousand dollars of tax assessed value. This levy would cost the owner of a home with a tax assessed value of $150,000 about $12 per year. This levy is subject of the local government $10 rate limit per thousand dollars of real market value as provided by section 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
Submitted by
Charles Becker, Mayor
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Vote for Ballot Measure 26-20 through 26-22
These three measures are for improving the parks in Gresham. The first measure, 26-20, will restore funding for some positions and services in the current budget which currently have only one year of funding and may not be funded in future budgets. Many people spoke at the budget committee in support of the Parks staff and budget. This measure will adequately fund these.
Measure 26-21 will fund acquisition and or construction of a Community Center. Gresham has no single place for its citizens from youth and children to seniors. A City the size of Gresham should have a Community center where classes, events and simple fellowship is possible. This measure will provide the necessary funding to improve recreation opportunities in Gresham.
Measure 26-22 is a measure to fund positions to staff and serve a Community Center should the preceding measure pass to build a center. This is to assure that there will be recreation and parks programs in a center, not just a large expensive idle building.
In the past, the citizens of Gresham have not supported parks programs in the city. Gresham has grown and is in need of a recreation program which will provide activities for the citizens of all ages. While the Gresham Parks department currently provides some programs and activities, there is no room for growth and a good possibility of reductions in future budget years. Supporting and passing these measures will greatly improve Gresham's service to its citizens of all ages.
The cost for the three combined measures is about $60.50 per year for an average house of $150,000. That is less than one movie ticket per month, or about two small mocha latte drinks. When compared to the small cost, the continuation and expansion of recreational opportunities is money very well spent.
(This information furnished by John A. Leuthauser, Yes on Fire & Parks Committee)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.