Maintain safe parks, nature, affordable recreation through 5-year levy.
Question: Should Portland maintain parks, recreation, fund repairs; five-year levy $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value beginning 2026-2027? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
In 2020, City of Portland voters approved a five-year levy to support parks and recreation operations that expires in 2025. If a new levy is not approved, the Parks operating budget would be reduced by approximately half, resulting in fewer programs and services.
A new five-year levy would maintain operations, fund capital projects:
Summary: In 2020, City of Portland voters approved a five-year levy to support parks and recreation operations that expires in 2025. If a new levy is not approved, the Parks operating budget would be reduced by approximately half, resulting in fewer programs and services.
A new five-year levy would maintain operations, fund capital projects:
ENSURE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS MAINTENANCE AND CLEANLINESS
- Daily restroom cleaning, trash pickup
- Routine maintenance, minor repairs
- Repair or renovate facilities like playgrounds, restrooms, pools
- Park ranger safety patrols, incident responses
PROTECT NATURE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE
- Plant, maintain trees
- Preserve natural areas, trails, water quality, wildlife habitat
- Clear brush, maintain emergency access routes to reduce wildfire risk
PRESERVE PROGRAM ACCESS
- Continue free, discounted recreation programs for families experiencing poverty
- Preserve classes, community center hours, arts and cultural centers, parks, pools
Community oversight committee would review levy expenditures, provide annual reports. Independent audit required.
A median homeowner would pay about $310 per year, or $26 per month - a $11 monthly increase.
Levy would raise approximately $86,268,997 in 2026–2027, $88,719,730 in 2027–2028, $91,411,705 in 2028–2029, $93,588,449 in 2029–2030, and $96,068,483 in 2030–2031, for a total of $456,057,364.
Explanatory Statement: This Measure would allow the City of Portland to levy $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value for five years to operate the parks and recreation system, replacing and increasing the rate of the current $0.80 per $1,000 assessed value levy that expires after fiscal year 2025-2026. Within the $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value levy, $1.37 will be for park and recreation operations and $0.03 will be for capital projects. Services and programs are planned to include, but are not limited to:
- Fix park playgrounds, pools and splash pads, restrooms, and other facilities in need of critical repairs.
The levy will continue offering:
- Daily restroom cleaning and trash pick-up at every developed park.
- Summer events and Free Lunch & Play programs, Free for All free movies, concerts.
- Inspection of every developed park tree, performing proactive maintenance on park trees to prioritize public safety.
- Additional ongoing daily work in parks, natural areas, trails, and community centers, including:
Safety
- Supporting safety with hazard checks in parks and natural areas, Park Ranger patrols, incident response, and nighttime lock-up of facilities.
- Performing wildfire prevention through brush clearing, tree pruning, removing invasive species and other hazards, and maintaining emergency access routes.
Regular Maintenance
- Inspecting park assets like playgrounds, pathways, trails, bridges, and community centers.
- Repairing park assets and performing routine maintenance like painting, carpentry, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work.
- Improving safety, accessibility, and year-round usability of park paths and trails through repairs and hazards removal.
Nature
- Supporting our environment through planting native species, improving wildlife habitat, stabilizing slopes, and taking care of assets like signs, gates, fences, culverts, bridges.
- Planting new trees in low-canopy areas.
Affordable Programs
- Providing free and low-cost options so every Portlander, regardless of income, can participate.
- Keeping community centers and pools open with diverse programming and classes.
Investment in partnerships to deliver services, programs, and community initiatives, including through access to PP&R facilities for partner-provided programming. Unlock the power of volunteers and collaboration with local and regional groups to improve safety, sustainability, connectivity, and long-term stewardship in Portland’s parks and recreation system.
A community oversight committee will be appointed to review levy expenditures, data, and minimum performance metrics and report annually to City Council as part of the budget process. The Parks Bureau will provide for a performance audit to ensure that services funded by the levy would continue to be consistent with voter intent.
The City estimates that the levy tax rate of $1.40/$1,000 assessed value would cost the median residential property approximately $11 per month over the current levy (or $26 per month), raising approximately $86 million in the first year with an estimated average of $91 million raised annually over five years. If a new levy is not approved, the Parks operating budget would be reduced by approximately half, resulting in fewer programs and services.
Submitted by:
Elana Pirtle-Guiney, Portland City Council President
City of Portland