The 2024 Oregon Primary Election is next week, and there will be several ballot measures that could affect tax rates across the county.
While we have heard from the candidates running for Position 1 and Position 3 for the Columbia County Commission, let’s take a look at the ballot measures that voters will be asked to approve or deny during this election cycle.
Columbia 9-1-1 Communications District - Renewal of 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Operating Fund
Columbia 911 Communications District is seeking a five-year renewal of its operating levy, as the current Operating Fund levy will end on June 30 of this year. The renewal would not create an additional tax burden, and the renewal measure is at the same tax rate approved by voters in 2019.
The Operating Fund levy renewal would be at a rate of 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, added to the permanent rate of 25.54 cents per $1,000 assessed value. For a home assessed at $100,000, the annual combined cost of the permanent and requested renewal levy would be $54.54 per year.
The five-year renewal would help support all ongoing functions of the 9-1-1 call center, such as 24-hour staffing, training, and coordination with local and state emergency operations. On average, the 9-1-1 call center answers about 213 calls daily and 77,899 emergency calls annually. The levy would help the call center maintain the current level of emergency services to citizens.
Columbia County - Jail Operating Tax Levy
Voters will once again be asked to renew the Columbia County Jail Levy for four years to bridge the remaining gap for the jail’s full operation through fiscal year 2028.
Operational costs for the jail have “significantly increased,” more than doubling in the last four years, according to the county. The county said that challenges arose during the pandemic, including reduced bed rentals by the U.S. Marshals Service and increased food and medical expenses.
The tax levy will contribute to constitutionally required care for inmates, including food, clothing, health care, corrections deputies, and other corrections staff, in addition to facility maintenance and deferred capital projects, such as a roof replacement.
Passage of the measure would raise property owners’ taxes by $0.29, from $0.58 to $0.87 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A property owner with an assessed value of $100,000 would pay $87.00 annually for four years. If passed, the levy would be extended for four years and is projected to raise $23,728,262. If it is not approved, the measure will expire.
The use of operating funds will continue to be monitored by a citizen committee established by the county (the “JOCAC”). In addition, the county will annually audit the use of tax levy funds for jail operations.
City of St. Helens - Creation of Police Protection Services Staff Fund
Members of the St. Helens City Council passed a resolution to put a five-year local option levy on the primary election ballot in May that would raise $0.69 per $1,000 of assessed value to support hiring more police officers for the St. Helens Police Department (SHPD).
The City of St. Helens has less than half the national average for law enforcement coverage per person. The national average is 3.5 police officers to 1,000 citizens. The City of St. Helens is 1.38.
The city has said police officers are facing rising demand due to increased population and the decriminalization of drugs. This measure would create an Enhanced Law Enforcement Operating Fund to be used exclusively to increase law enforcement presence in the city. It would add four additional officers, necessary equipment, necessary training, reduce response times, and enable the police to continue to provide 24/7 law enforcement coverage in St. Helens.
For a home assessed at a value of $200,000, the annual cost of this levy would be $138 per year or $0.38 per day. If approved, this levy would raise approximately $4,343,929 for police protection services over the 5-year period.
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District - Renewal of current five-year local option tax for Fire and Emergency Services
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District is seeking to renew its existing tax levy to continue to fund current staff positions and operations for an additional five years. Growing demands for services have put strain on the district budget and local volunteers to answer the calls.
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District is the smallest fire district in Columbia County, serving 36 square miles. The district responded to 747 emergency and non-emergency calls in 2023.
The levy would fund the three current career firefighter positions, equipment, and operational costs connected to emergency and wildfire mitigation, prevention, and response.
If passed, the emergency services levy would provide annual funding of approximately $431,000 at a cost of $1.24 per $1000 of assessed property value. If the levy does not pass, staffing will be maintained until the current levy expires in 2025. Once the levy has expired, the district will be forced to cut career firefighter positions due to a lack of funding. Further staffing and operational cuts may be required.
Find more information at: https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/Elections/ElectionNotices .
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