@Christine: Once a permanent tax rate limit is established, it cannot be changed by any action of the district or its patrons. Therefore, Gresham can't ask its citizens to raise taxes. This is a fee being charged (included in the utility bill because it is expedient, but not a utility fee) on every property in Gresham. I think there are "bugs" to be worked out yet, but the idea is sound for a resource to raise funds to pay for fire/police/parks. The only other option is a levy, which is short-term and must be voted on.
RealityCheck - 12 years ago
Christine,
Higher costs cannot be "folded" into the property taxes. Property Tax Limitation Measure 50, passed by Oregon voters in May of 1997, established essentially fixed ad valorem tax rates. Jurisdictions such as Gresham that were fiscally conservative and kept their property tax rates low prior to Measure 50 were effectively punished by being stuck with their low millage rates. The only way to get around this is via the local option levy route. However, local option levies are limited to four years in duration and thus are not a stable funding source for ongoing operating expenditures, such as policing services to which you refer.
Christine - 12 years ago
Hello,
I live in Gresham. While I see the need for greater policing I think that the city needs to address the problem at budgeting time. It's inappropriate, though, to cover basic city services with a fee in utility bills. Rather, these services should be fully folded into local taxes. After all, higher costs are here to stay. Other than not having to admit that taxes went up on your watch,I wonder why city leaders chose the form of a fee over a tax.
@Christine: Once a permanent tax rate limit is established, it cannot be changed by any action of the district or its patrons. Therefore, Gresham can't ask its citizens to raise taxes. This is a fee being charged (included in the utility bill because it is expedient, but not a utility fee) on every property in Gresham. I think there are "bugs" to be worked out yet, but the idea is sound for a resource to raise funds to pay for fire/police/parks. The only other option is a levy, which is short-term and must be voted on.
Christine,
Higher costs cannot be "folded" into the property taxes. Property Tax Limitation Measure 50, passed by Oregon voters in May of 1997, established essentially fixed ad valorem tax rates. Jurisdictions such as Gresham that were fiscally conservative and kept their property tax rates low prior to Measure 50 were effectively punished by being stuck with their low millage rates. The only way to get around this is via the local option levy route. However, local option levies are limited to four years in duration and thus are not a stable funding source for ongoing operating expenditures, such as policing services to which you refer.
Hello,
I live in Gresham. While I see the need for greater policing I think that the city needs to address the problem at budgeting time. It's inappropriate, though, to cover basic city services with a fee in utility bills. Rather, these services should be fully folded into local taxes. After all, higher costs are here to stay. Other than not having to admit that taxes went up on your watch,I wonder why city leaders chose the form of a fee over a tax.