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Dear Community Members,
Please remember to vote by November 4! A Parks Levy is on the ballot, which would replace the levy expiring this year.
The proposed Measure 26-260 would authorize a new property tax which would begin in 2026 and continue for five years. Property tax revenue would be used to fund Portland Parks & Recreation parks, nature, and affordable recreation. If passed, the measure would raise $456 million over the five-year period. The measure is on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
If Passed, the Proposed Levy Measure Would:
- Fund maintenance and cleanliness of neighborhood parks with daily restroom cleaning and trash pick-up; routine maintenance and minor repairs; repair or renovation of facilities like playgrounds, restrooms, and pools; and park ranger safety visits and incident responses.
- Protect nature in a changing climate by planting and maintaining trees; preserving natural areas, trails, water quality, and wildlife habitat; and clearing brush and maintaining emergency access routes to reduce wildfire risk.
- Preserve free and discounted access to recreation programming for families experiencing poverty; and the preservation of classes, community center hours, and cultural centers, parks, and pools.
If Passed, How Would the Proposed Measure Be Managed?
PP&R would work with the community and City Council to manage the proposed operating levy. If the measure passes, PP&R would produce annual reports on how levy funds are being spent, performance metrics and financial data, and bureau service delivery. An oversight committee would review levy spending and report annually to City Council on transparency, fiscal accountability, and adherence to ballot language and an independent audit would be completed. City Council would approve levy budgets annually.
If Passed, What Would the Proposed Levy Measure Cost?
The proposed measure would cost property owners $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The tax would raise an average of $91 million per year for five years, for a total of $456 million. The average homeowner with an assessed property value of $221,600 would pay $310 per year, or $26 per month.
If passed, the tax revenue authorized by the measure would fund PP&R operations starting in fiscal year 2026-27. In the first year, the levy would fund about two-fifths of PP&R operations. The levy proportion may grow over time with inflation and new assets coming online with new operations and maintenance costs.
What Happens if the Proposed Levy Measure Is Not Passed?
If the measure does not pass, the programs and services would not be funded as proposed and property taxes would not be increased.
Why Is the Proposed 2025 Property Tax Rate Higher Than the 2020 Property Tax Rate?
The cost of services has increased and tax revenue has decreased due to decreased property values post-COVID-19. The City also plans to expand in a few areas including adding some levy funding for capital maintenance and increased focus on community partnerships. Capital maintenance means larger repair projects for park assets, like repairing the roof on a restroom or replacing a piece of old play equipment.
If passed, the $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value would sustain adopted budget fiscal year 2025-26 funding levels, including supporting programs and services that were preserved in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget process with one-time funds. This tax rate would include $1.37 per $1,000 of assessed property value for park operations, the rate forecasted to sustain fiscal year 2025-26 service levels of the next five-year term (fiscal year 2026-27 through fiscal year 2030-31). It would also include $0.03 per $1,000 of assessed property value for capital maintenance.
For more information on the Parks Levy, please visit:
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