What's on your ballot, Multnomah County, Oregon.

The question on the ballotShall Troutdale adopt a local option levy at $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed value for police, fire & 911 services? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary (the ballot title's)Troutdale provides Police, Fire, and 911 through contracts: Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, City of Gresham Fire Department, and Bureau of Emergency Communications. Costs of essential public safety services continually increase and are projected to rise faster than available funding. Without a sustainable funding source, the gap between revenues and public safety costs will become unsustainable, risking the long-term reliability of Police, Fire, and 911 services. If this measure passes, the current Council will replace the $25 Public Safety Fee, with a voter-approved local option levy of $1.60 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The average Troutdale home assessed at approximately $267,800, would cost about $428.48 annually. Because the Public Safety Utility Fee would be eliminated, the average homeowner would not pay the current $300 annual fee, resulting in an estimated net annual cost increase of approximately $128.48 while providing dedicated funding for Police, Fire, and 911 services. The amount collected is estimated to be $3,556,392 in 2027-28, $3,663,084 in 2028-29, $3,772,977 in 2029-30, $3,886,166 in 2030-31, and $4,002,751 in 2031-32. Public safety costs already exceed $10 million annually and are projected to surpass $14 million by 2030. This levy ensures stable, reliable public safety funding for Troutdale’s future.

The question on the ballotADVISORY VOTE: Should the City proceed with planning and creation of a Troutdale Police Department?

Summary (the ballot title's)This is a non-binding advisory vote and does not authorize or impose any tax, fee, or expenditure. This is a non-binding advisory vote and does not authorize or impose any tax, fee, or expenditure. In 2015, the City of Troutdale dissolved its Police Department and contracted with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office to provide police services. The decision was based, in part, on the expectation that contracting would reduce long-term costs while maintaining public safety services. Since then, the cost of contracted police services has increased, and the City has continued evaluating service levels, operational needs, community expectations, and long-term financial sustainability. As part of that review, the City has developed preliminary plans for the possible re-establishment of a Troutdale Police Department. This advisory vote asks whether the City should continue planning to create a Troutdale Police Department while evaluating the costs, operational considerations, and benefits of both a municipal Police Department and continued contracted police services. The City Council will consider the results of this advisory vote when evaluating future police service options.

The question on the ballotShould Portland create participatory budgeting program for residents to make binding decisions to spend 2% of city’s discretionary budget?

Summary (the ballot title's)Currently, Mayor works with City Administrator, bureaus, and community to develop proposed budget; Council then considers, amends as needed and adopts following public hearings. If measure is not approved, this process would not change. If measure approved, amended Charter would require Council to allocate an amount equivalent to at least 2% of the city’s adopted General Fund discretionary ongoing expenses (Council may identify funding from entire city budget to meet funding obligation) towards a participatory budgeting program that is: • Developed with input from oversight committee, selected by a process determined by Council, of residents from all Council districts • Open to any resident’s funding proposals for citywide or district projects: o Proposals assessed and refined into limited number of feasible projects by city staff and budget delegates from all districts in a transparent process o Feasible projects advance to binding selection process open, accessible to all residents • Operational July 2027 • Under recent forecast, preliminary estimate: o 16.4 million in FY 2027-28 o 17.0 million in FY 2028-29 • Compliant with Oregon Local Budget Law Other provisions.

The question on the ballotShall District issue bonds, projected to maintain 2026 bond rate, to increase safety, repair, replace aging schools and increase accessibility? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

Summary (the ballot title's)This measure is projected to maintain District's 2026 bond levy rate of $1.62/$1,000 of assessed value. If passed, District will receive $8,168,000 in state matching funds. Reynolds School District seeks approval for a principal amount of $162.5 million in bonds to finance capital costs, including: Replace Aging Glenfair Elementary: Replace the 72-year-old school, which is overcrowded, has building systems beyond repair, contains hazardous materials, and has outdated safety & security measures. Replacement estimated to cost less than renovation. Repair Failing Infrastructure: • Roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, water heater replacement districtwide. Safety & Security: • New fire alarm systems, PA systems, perimeter security across the district. Accessibility: • ADA upgrades including accessible parking, sidewalks, ramps districtwide. Additional Projects: • New turf field, bleachers at Reynolds High School. Requires community oversight committee, regular audits. Financials: • Bonds may be issued in multiple series, each maturing within 21 years from issuance. • No increase to 2026 bond levy rate of $1.62 per $1,000 of assessed value expected. • Actual bond levy rate may differ due to interest rates, changes in property value.

The question on the ballotShall District issue bonds to increase safety, security, repair aging schools and failing infrastructure, expand vocational classrooms, secure matching funds? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

Summary (the ballot title's)Lower Tax Rate: This measure is expected to result in a bond levy rate of $1.84 per $1,000 assessed value - lower than the average rate paid since last bond approval. If passed, District is eligible for $6.1 million in state matching funds. Hillsboro School District seeks approval for a principal amount of $430 million in general obligation bonds to finance capital costs, including: Fix Aging Buildings: Replace failing roofs, siding, HVAC, plumbing, flooring, and lighting. Healthy Schools: Replace systems causing leaks, mold, closed classrooms Safety & Security: New doors, locks, fencing, cameras, phone systems, building automation. Enhance cybersecurity, network infrastructure. Career & Technical Education: Update computing labs, create fire science classroom, expand STEM and vocational spaces. Additional Projects: Field, track, and Title IX upgrades; bus, kitchen, fleet and aging technology replacements. Requires community oversight committee, regular audits. Financials: o Bonds may be issued in multiple series, each maturing within 21 years from issuance. o Estimated levy rate is $1.84 per $1,000 of assessed value. o Actual levy rates may differ due to interest rates, changes in property value

The question on the ballotShall the District create a new five-year levy of $1.70 per $1000 of assessed value for five years beginning 2027-2028? This measure creates new local option taxes which may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary (the ballot title's)The taxes will be used to meet the expenses Burlington Water District pays for emergency services (Fire and Ambulance)and to maintain a contingency fund for the future increased expenses. An estimate of the total amount to be raised each fiscal year is: $84,420 in 2027-2028 $86,953 in 2028-2029 $89,561 In 2029-2030 $92,248 In 2030-2031 $95,016 in 2031-2032 The estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the best information available from the county assessor at the time of the estimate and may reflect the impact of early payment discounts, compression and the collection rate. A property with an assessed value of $166,000.00, the average assessed value for the district, will pay an estimated $24 per month in additional property taxes.