BALLOT TITLE


GRESHAM COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATIONS FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX

QUESTION: Shall Gresham levy 11.75¢ per $1000 tax assessed value for five years starting 2001-2002 to operate a Community Center?

This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

SUMMARY: A "Yes" vote on this measure is a vote to increase taxes.

Citizen committees and City Council have determined that a Community Center is needed in Gresham. This levy only funds operation of a Community Center. The City would only use this levy if the Community Center Capital Improvement levy is also approved.

The Community Center would serve the needs of the community, including youth, teens, adults, seniors, and families. User fees would help pay operational costs.

This five-year local option tax would start July 1, 2001 and is computed each year at a rate of 11.75 cents for each thousand dollars of tax assessed value.

An estimate of the total amount to be raised each fiscal year is:

2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
Total

$589,245
622,525
657,736
695,575
720,096

This levy would cost the owner of a home with a taxed assessed value of $150,000 about $17.63 per year. This levy is subject to the local government $10 rate limit of Section 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.


EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

GRESHAM COMMUNITY CENTER OPERATIONS
FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX
MEASURE 26-22

The City of Gresham proposes a levy of 11.75 cents per $1000 tax assessed value for five years starting fiscal year 2001-2002 to operate a Community Center. A separate measure proposes funding for the construction and/or remodeling of a building for the Community Center. These Community Center taxes would be levied only if both the capital improvement and operations levies are approved.

The Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Committee, the Finance Committee and the City Council all have determined that a Community Center is needed in Gresham. This levy partially funds operation of the Community Center after it is opened. User fees would help pay operational costs.

The Community Center would serve as a central community gathering place for Gresham. Community groups, business and citizens would use the facility for a variety of recreational and community activities. Community Center services would be diverse and inclusive of all abilities and ages so as to be responsive to community needs. Specific recreation programs could include the arts, sports and athletics, volunteerism, personal and academic enrichment opportunities and community festivals and events.

This five-year local option tax would start July 1, 2001 and is computed each year at a rate of 11.75 cents for each thousand dollars of tax assessed value. This levy cost the owner of a home with a tax assessed value of $150,000 about $17.63 per year. This levy is subject to the local government $10 rate limit per thousand dollars of real market value as provided by Section 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

Submitted by:
Charles Becker, Mayor


No arguments FOR or AGAINST this measure were filed.