Bonds and Levies on the Upcoming May 21 Election
Photos from OPB
All mail ballots for the Multnomah County primary election are due in by May 21. Along with multiple candidate races are six ballot measures of proposed taxes – both levies and bonds – for voters to consider.
This article provides a brief summary of the measures to share some helpful knowledge before voters cast their ballots. Note that we have chosen to omit a Tualatin-specific measure due to lack of relevancy to our readers.
Measure 26-247 is the only Gresham-specific measure on Multnomah County’s ballot this year. It is a levy that aims to fund an increase in the number of city firefighters and police officers. The city cites stagnation of staffing despite Gresham’s rapidly growing needs.
In the past 20 years, its population has grown by 19%, while the city has seen calls for fire service increase by 69% and “daily minimum firefighter staffing” grew by 9% during that time period.
Gresham also has faced police officer shortages in recent years. The city currently has fewer sworn officers than 20 years ago, even as violent crimes have spiked.
To address these needs, the proposed levy would tax property owners $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed value per year for five years. It would be up for renewal when it expires. If passed, the new revenue is expected to exceed $12 million every year of the levy.
Moving onto the City of Portland, Measure 26-245 aims to renew a 10 cent per gallon fuel tax. This tax was initially passed by voters in 2016 for a four-year term and subsequently renewed in 2020 for the same length. Now, the city is hoping to keep it in place until 2029. If renewed, the measure is estimated to raise over $70 million, to be dedicated to improving road infrastructure – including paving, filling potholes, improving safety, and other roadwork.
Supporters of the measure argue that the tax provides critical funding for much-needed maintenance and safety work. Opponents argue that the city has repeatedly wasted tax dollars dedicated to transportation and the proposed taxes, combined with potential road tolls, would be excessive on motorists.
Next, is Measure 26-244 which, would authorize $380 million in funding for the Oregon Zoo. If approved, the funding would be dedicated to improving the general operation of the zoo. Most of the proposed investments are updating the zoo’s habitat, water, energy, and other infrastructure. Metro estimates the average tax rate of the bond to be $0.085 per $1,000 of assessed value.
Proponents of the measure praise the zoo’s outreach, economic impact, and conservation efforts, arguing that the bonds would be a worthwhile investment for everybody. Opponents criticize the zoo for wasteful spending, financial losses, and other lapses since voters approved its last bond in 2008. A figure cited in multiple arguments was that the zoo lost an average of $68,943 a day in 2023.
Portland Public Schools (PPS) wants voters to pass Measure 26-246 to renew a five-year levy initially passed in 2019. The levy rate would be $1.99 per $1,000 of assessed value, unchanged from the current rate, which is expected to generate over $100 million in revenue every year. The funding would be dedicated to improving education, providing special-needs support, and shrinking class sizes in the school district. None of the funds would be spent on school administration.
Levy supporters claim the continued funding is necessary to meet the growing needs of the students and teachers. A levy failure would reduce funding and adversely affect students. The Taxpayers Association of Oregon, which filed the only argument in opposition, claims Portland is overspending on public education, arguing that PPS is spending too much money per student and is overpaying teachers.
Last, but not least, Measure 26-243 asks for a new bond to pay for major renovation and upgrades of water levee (dike) infrastructure along the Columbia River near Portland. Specifically, according to the Flood Safety District, it would fund “[r]aising levees, upgrading floodwalls, pumps, pipes, [and] drains.” Additionally, the bonds fund “natural floodplain restoration and resilience projects.” The estimated bond rate is $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed value.
These proposals are geared towards preventing flooding along the Columbia River. A major flood in this area would be costly (as in the May 1948 Vanport disaster). Portland International Airport, local freeways, and the Columbia South Shore Well Field (a key water source for metro-area residents) would be in harm’s way. Furthermore, about 8,000 residents and over 2,000 acres of natural habitat would be in danger of flooding.
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