November 2015 Online Voters' Guide
There are two measures on the ballot for the November 2015 Special Election. In Multnomah County, only voters in the City of Troutdale and voters in Riverdale School District will be participating in this election.
26-168 City of Troutdale - 26-169 Riverdale School District - 26-169 argument in favor - Official drop sites
Measure 26-168 City of Troutdale
BALLOT TITLE
26-168 - Authorizes Phase in of Tax on Motor Vehicle Fuels
QUESTION: Shall Troutdale phase in motor vehicle fuels tax of three (3) cents per gallon over three years to maintain streets?
SUMMARY: This measure authorizes the City of Troutdale to collect a tax on motor vehicle fuels sold within the city. The tax will be one (1) cent per gallon in 2016, two (2) cents in 2017 and three (3) cents per gallon thereafter.
The proceeds would be dedicated to support ongoing maintenance of Troutdale’s streets. The maintenance of local streets is currently paid with Troutdale’s share of state gas tax funds, which are declining and no longer enough to support the City’s cost-saving preventative maintenance program.
Under Oregon law, revenue from the tax can be used only for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, maintenance and operation of streets in Troutdale.
The proceeds will support the City of Troutdale’s Pavement Preservation Program, which performs ongoing preventative maintenance to avoid more costly street reconstruction and replacement.
Troutdale City Council will also adopt by resolution a public reporting system to track tax revenues and program expenditures to assure accountability, with reports made available to the public.
If approved, the measure will take effect on January 1, 2016.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure authorizes the City of Troutdale to collect a tax on motor fuels sold within the city. The tax will be one (1) cent per gallon in 2016, two (2) cents in 2017 and three (3) cents per gallon thereafter.
The proceeds would be dedicated to support ongoing maintenance of Troutdale’s streets. Troutdale has a program to systematically maintain all city streets. Each maintenance cycle adds 5 to 10 years to their life. Every $1 spent on preservation saves up to $5 for rehabilitation or $12 for reconstruction.
The maintenance of local streets is currently paid with Troutdale’s share of state gas tax funds, which are declining and no longer enough to support the City’s cost-saving preventative maintenance program. Oregon has increased the state gas tax only once in the past 22 years.
Under Oregon law, revenue from the tax can be used only for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, repair, maintenance and operation of streets in Troutdale.
Oregon statutes authorize cities to enact a tax on motor vehicle fuels only after submitting the proposed tax for voter approval (ORS 319.950). If approved by voters, the measure will take effect on January 1, 2016. Twenty-one Oregon cities have already enacted a gas tax.
Troutdale City Council will also adopt by resolution a public reporting system to track tax revenues and program expenditures to assure accountability, with reports made available to the public.
Summary of Troutdale’s Local Motor Vehicle Fuels Tax
- Troutdale has a program to systematically maintain all city streets. Each maintenance cycle adds 5 to 10 years to their life.
- Every $1 spent on preservation saves up to $5 for rehabilitation or $12 for reconstruction.
- Troutdale City Council is proposing the Motor Vehicle Fuels Tax to adequately fund street maintenance.
- Local fuels taxes must be approved by voters. 21 Oregon cities have already enacted a gas tax.
- By law, the funds can only be used in Troutdale – and only for road maintenance.
Submitted by:
Doug Daoust, Mayor
City of Troutdale
No arguments in favor or opposition to this measure were filed.
Measure 26-169 Riverdale School District
BALLOT TITLE
26-169 Five-Year Local Option Tax for District Operations
Question: Shall the District levy $1.37 per $1000 of assessed value each year for five years beginning 2016-2017 for operations? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
Summary: This measure authorizes Riverdale School District No. 51J, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, Oregon, to levy a property tax in the amount of $1.37 per $1000 of assessed value each year for five years. The taxes would be used to help finance District operations. Without the additional revenue, the District will have to reduce staff and services.
An estimate of the total amount to be raised each fiscal year is: $690,000 in 2016-2017; $696,000 in 2017-2018; $703,000 in 2018-2019; $710,000 in 2019-2020; $718,000 in 2020-2021. The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of estimate.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
What is the Local Option Measure?
- This 5-year property tax levy will provide continued funding for education delivered by the Riverdale School District. 100% of the funds raised by the levy will flow directly to Riverdale Schools to serve the community’s children.
Why does the Riverdale School District need Local Option revenues?
- Measures 5 and 50, and the shift from local to State funding of school districts in the 1990’s reduced the amount of money our school district receives for each student. The legislature made provision for school districts to seek additional funds from voters using the Local Option Tax Levy to recover some of the lost funding.
- Although state dollars allocated for education in general were increased by the legislature for the coming biennium, actual dollars projected to flow into the classroom will remain stagnant due to previously mandated, yet underfunded full-day Kindergarten. The Local Option Tax Levy partially offsets for Riverdale this insufficiency in state funding.
- Operational costs have continued to rise at a rate exceeding increases in revenue.
- Both homeowners and school families benefit from the existence of a strong neighborhood school. The Local Option Tax Levy distributes the cost of the exceptional Riverdale education among all property owners in the school district.
What will passage of this measure do?
- This measure continues the existing Local Option Tax Levy that has been supported and approved by voters in 2000, 2005 and 2010. It provides a predictable, stable source of funding to support Riverdale’s Strategic Plan.
- Allows our neighborhood to continue to fund programs such as Art and Music, which are no longer feasible with the current State School Funding formula.
- It helps to maintain Riverdale’s current level of core academic programs and services.
How will the Local Option dollars be used?
- Local Option resources become part of Riverdale’s school operating budget and are used to:
- Retain classroom teachers.
- Maintain low student-to-staff ratio.
- Support current programs.
- Purchase instructional supplies.
- Support operational needs such as security and maintenance.
What would happen if the levy fails?
- The Local Option Levy is an investment in our community’s public schools. Without this support, the District would face:
- Loss of approximately 7.5% of Riverdale’s annual operating funds.
- Potential cuts district-wide to back fill for loss of revenue.
How will this levy affect my taxes?
- The exact amount varies from property to property, based on Ballot Measure 5 limitations. For a home assessed at $1,000,000 and taxed at the maximum Local Option tax rate of $1.37, the increase over current rate would be about $300 per year.
- Property owners can find their current Local Option costs by looking at the Riverdale SD #51 Loc Opt line on their property tax statement. This renewal may moderately increase this amount.
Submitted by:
Terry Brandon, Superintendent
Riverdale School District 51J
No arguments in opposition to this measure were filed.
Measure 26-169 Riverdale School District
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Riverdale School District’s reputation for great teachers, challenging curriculum, committed families and unwavering community support continually attracts families to move into the Riverdale-Dunthorpe neighborhood or enroll their children from across the Portland metropolitan area.
Riverdale’s excellence contributes to a substantial elevation in resale values for neighborhood homes. Students from other districts are attracted to and enrich our school community, supplementing operating revenues by bringing in additional State School Funds or tuition dollars.
To maintain high quality educational programs that attract families, Riverdale seeks to continue the Local Option as approved by Riverdale School District voters in 2000, 2005, and 2010, with a small increase in the levy rate. All Local Option monies go directly to the District.
A levy rate of $1.37 per $1,000 of Assessed Value will generate approximately $100,000 a year above the current rate, which was set 10 years ago and remains unchanged in spite of inflation. In addition to maintaining programs, these funds will provide a buffer from the vagaries of education funding given the recent Oregon Supreme Court decision on PERS repayments and unfunded legislative mandates. Over the next five years, the levy will ensure an important piece of the operating budget, providing for approximately 7-8 classroom teachers.
As the Superintendent noted, a home assessed at $1,000,000 and taxed at the proposed rate would see an increase of up to $300 per year. Exact amounts vary from property to property, based on Ballot Measure 5 limitations.
The proposed $1.37 rate remains lower than bordering school districts and represents a continued investment in our community.
Please join us in support of Measure 26-169.
Anthony/Maggi Cassie Brent/Barbara Chalmers
Karen/Wei-Li Chong Holly Coit
Debbie/Jim Coonan Jeff Dominitz/Angela Hung
Paul Duden Karen/Rick Durrett
Michael/Brooke Finan Laura/Andy Ford
Paul Francis/Jennifer Johnson Kim/Gerry Langeler
Suzi/Dave Maddocks Rob/Shelby Quintos
Anthony/Jennifer Rabb Chris/Sarah Remy
Susan/Pat Terrell David/BB Veverka
Pam/Lincoln Ware
(This information submitted by Leslie Goss, Yes on 26-169.)
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 this argument.