#parks-levy

#parks-levy

It's Election Day today, and in Portland, that means it's time to make your final decision about renewing a levy that will help fund the city's parks and recreation programs. One person that won't be supporting it? Councilor Dan Ryan, who came out against the levy last week after voting to refer it to the ballot back in July. Ryan formerly served as the city's commissioner in charge of parks and recreation, prior to the local government transition at the beginning of this year.

Portland's parks and natural areas are integral to the city's identity, but the city's parks system faces major financial challenges, including a massive maintenance backlog and generally unsustainable funding mechanisms. In a special election this fall, voters will be asked to approve a new, five-year levy to stop the bleeding at Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R). If the measure passes, it will enact a property tax of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed property value, running the average Portland property owner about $310 annually.