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Portland Voters Approve 5-Year Parks Levy, Lifting Rate 75%

Approval averts deep service cuts by renewing funding under a higher levy.

Overview

  • Measure 26-260 passed, increasing the levy to $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value and generating an estimated $456 million over five years.
  • City estimates say the average homeowner will pay about $133 more per year under the higher rate.
  • The levy prioritizes daily operations such as restroom cleaning, trash pickup, pools and community centers, with only about $2 million annually for major repairs.
  • Officials had warned failure would force the Parks Bureau to cut operations by up to 50% and lay off roughly half its staff.
  • The package establishes an oversight committee reporting to City Council, and leaders have pledged a fiscal sustainability plan by June 2028.