Portland voters are being called to vote on an issue next month; one that is likely to leave many feeling distraught whatever they choose: either increasing property tax bills for homeowners in the area, or letting their beloved parks go underfunded.
Why It Matters
A property tax hike could help Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) start to address the growing issue of its enormous maintenance backlog, which is estimated to be between $550 million and $800 million. According to the city auditors, the bureau built new facilities and improved old ones over the past few years without assessing how to “fund critical services and amenities in the long term.”
Many of these facilities are now in a state of disrepair. In September 2024, PP&R reported that 86 percent of its property and assets were in poor or very bad condition. Earlier this month, auditors said that the bureau was now facing an “infrastructure crisis.”
What To Know
Measure 26-260 was crafted by the Portland City Council and referred to voters in June after months of debating how to present it to residents. It has received the backing of state and local leaders, as well as that of many environmental nonprofits and business groups.
The proposal would extend Portland’s existing parks levy, set to expire at the end of the year, for another five years, making sure that the city can continue maintaining its parks and natural areas and paying for outdoor and community center programs—including offering swim lessons, summer camps and other recreational activities for low-income residents for free or at reduced costs…