MEASURE APPROVING ANNEXATION OF CITY OF OREGON CITY PROPERTY TO DISTRICT
QUESTION: Shall Clackamas County Fire District #1 annex all of the territory of the City of Oregon City?
SUMMARY: If annexation is approved by both District and city of Oregon City electors, territory within the City would become part of the fire district. Clackamas County Fire District #1 has provided fire and emergency medical services to the City under a contract between the City and the District. All former City fire personnel are now District employees. The City Commission of Oregon City has proposed that the District annex all of the property within the City for the purpose of providing fire and emergency services to the City. Territory within the City would be subject to District property taxes at District tax rates to pay for fire and emergency medical services. City property would be subject to tax to pay any District bonds and other liabilities on the same basis as other property in the District. City electors would be eligible to vote in District elections. The City would no longer provide fire and emergency medical services. The District Board has approved the annexation, subject to approval of the electors of the City of Oregon City and the approval of the electors of Clackamas County Fire District #1.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure would expand the boundaries of Clackamas County Fire District #1 to include all of the territory within the City of Oregon City, Oregon. The annexation would also require the approval by the electors of the City of Oregon City of a similar measure. The City Commission of Oregon City initiated the proposed annexation, and the proposal has also been approved by the Board of Directors of the District. If the measure is approved by the electors of both the District and the City, the Board of County Commissioners would formally approve the annexation effective July 1, 2005.
For many years, the City of Oregon City maintained its own fire department. On October 2, 2002, the City and the District entered into an agreement under which the District agreed to provide fire protection and emergency medical services throughout the City. The City pays the District a fee for those services in an amount agreed upon each year. The City fire protection and emergency medical personnel have been transferred to the District. The City has made its fire protection and emergency medical facilities and equipment available for District use, and the District has been replacing that equipment under agreements with the City as replacement is necessary.
At present, the City pays an agreed amount for fire protection and emergency medical services. Although the agreement is for a period of ten years, either the City or the District may terminate the agreement on June 30 of any year. City residents have no direct obligation to pay taxes to the District, or to pay for bonds for purchase and construction of District facilities and equipment. City residents may not vote for District directors or on District measure. Approval of the measure by the voters would mean that the territory in the City of Oregon City would be permanently annexed to the District.
District annexation of the Oregon City territory would mean that all of the territory within the City would be subject to ad valorem property tax at the same rate as that paid by taxpayers within the District. Property within the City would be subject to taxation for payment of any bonds of the District on the same basis as other property in the District. District property owners would have no liability for any City bonds. The annexation of the City territory would increase the District’s bonding capacity and provide for participation by City property owners in payment of the cost of District bonds. The annexation would make elector within Oregon City electors of the District.
Submitted by:
John W. Osburn
Clackamas Fire Dist. #1
No arguments FOR or AGAINST this measure were filed.