City Council Refers Five-Year Local Levy to Voters

The Forest Grove City Council has unanimously decided to refer a five-year local option public safety/community service levy to the voters on November 6, 2007.

Why?

TO RESTORE and MAINTAIN SERVICES
The property tax levy is needed to restore public safety service levels and help maintain the level of services that the 2002 local option levy funded.

In November, 2002, the voters approved a five-year local option levy to:

• help maintain City services
• add three police officers
• add two firefighter/paramedics.
  

The 2002 levy expires this fiscal year.

The City has already reduced police, fire, library, aquatic and park services.  Approximately $500,000 in additional reductions would be necessary next year without passage of this levy.

Property tax revenue is the primary source of funding for police and fire services which are essential.

Forest Grove’s property tax revenue collected for operations does not cover the combined budgets for the police and fire departments.

This levy would not add services.  It would allow the City to restore the positions eliminated in July, 2007, and would help restore hours of operation at the pool and library.

When? 

Ballots will be mailed October 19, 2007, and must be returned to the Washington County Elections Office or deposited in the ballot box by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 6th. The drive-by ballot box is located at 2102 Pacific Avenue in front of the Police Station.

Cost to Citizens?

This measure would renew the $0.99 per $1,000 of assessed value levy and increase it by $0.36 per $1,000 of assessed value.

A typical homeowner currently pays $178 per year in property taxes for the $0.99 levy. The increase in the levy rate of $0.36 would cost typical homeowners an additional $65 per year in property taxes.  Assumes average assessed value (not market value) of $180,000.

Frequently Asked Question

Q:Why is the City asking again?
A:In May 2007, the levy passed with 74% of the voters saying “yes” and 24% of the voters saying “no” but the election did not meet the 50% turnout requirement of Measure 50.  The City Council has heard from voters who are concerned with the level of services and the additional reductions that may be necessary if the levy is not renewed.

More Information

The City is preparing a Question & Answer (Q&A) sheet to provide additional information about the levy.  If you have a question you would like included in the Q&A, please contact the City Manager’s office at 503-992-3234 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .