Portland pushes 75% property tax hike

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Taxpayers in Portland will be asked in November to increase by 75 percent the amount they pay in taxes to support city parks, trails, community centers, swimming pools, and other recreational services.

An Axios analysis shows that the Portland Parks & Recreation Bureau spends around $233 per resident on parks, compared to the national average of other parks at $124.  That is an 80% increase more than other park departments.

The proposal would replace the expiring levy of 80 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to $1.40. That means the owner of a $221,600 home—the median home value in the city—would see their parks’ levy jump from $177 a year to $310. If approved, commercial property owners who pay about $251 a year would pay about $440. The 11-member Portland City Council voted unanimously to put the increase on the November ballot, which would raise $84 million the first year. If it fails, parks officials say they’ll need to cut $90 million from its $170 million annual budget and lay off half its staff.