PORTLAND, Oct. 15, 2025 — City and parks officials told the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission at a Oct. 15 public hearing that a proposed Portland parks local option levy is designed to sustain current service levels, protect natural areas and preserve program access while the city develops longer-term finance plans.

"Portlanders love our parks. Our parks are essential public infrastructure as vital to our city's health and livability as streets or utilities," Jessica Green, executive director of the Portland Parks Foundation, told the commission. She said the 2025 levy proposal was crafted to be “lean, centered on core operations, and transparent to voters,” and noted new accountability measures including a community oversight committee reporting directly to city council.

The levy, referred to the ballot by city council, is estimated to raise about $84,000,000 in its first year, city officials said. Bureau presenters and council members told the TSCC the proposal is intended primarily to maintain the current FY 25-26 service levels: roughly 40% for neighborhood park maintenance and cleanliness, 40% for preserving program access, and the remaining share for climate- and nature-related work. Officials said some tree-planting and canopy work will be coordinated with Portland Clean Energy Fund resources.

"The parks levy ensures Portland can maintain parks and community centers by increasing the property tax rate by 60¢ per $1,000 in assessed property value," Ben Gilbert, a Portland Democratic Socialists of America member, told the commission. He said that equates to about $26 per month for a median homeowner and about $37 per month for a typical commercial property under the levy proposal.

Deputy City Administrator Priya Donipaul described the levy’s budgeting approach. "Yes. The new levy will follow the same leveraged funding model, which ensures that all general fund dollars are spent first before using the levy dollars," she said, explaining that levy revenues are held in a separate parks levy fund and transferred as eligible expenses are reconciled at year-end.

Sonia Szymanski, interim director of Portland Parks and Recreation, said the bureau welcomed the recent audit and is working on an asset-management and long-range financial plan. "Figure out what size and shape park system you want. That's your level of service. Figure out how you might pay for it. That's your funding sustainability plan. And align your policy and budget decisions accordingly," Szymanski said, summarizing the bureau's response to the audit and its commitment to implement recommended improvements.

Commissioners asked about known side effects of a local option levy: so-called "compression" that reduces revenue for overlapping levies. City staff identified three other levies that would be affected in fiscal 26-27, estimating lost revenue of about $196,000 to the Metro Natural Areas levy, about $196,000 to the Portland Children’s levy, and roughly $102,000 to the Oregon Historical Society through Multnomah County. City officials said the council’s referral resolution included an appropriation from the proposed parks levy fund to make the children’s levy whole for the affected year.

Officials also discussed what would happen if the levy failed. Parks staff said a loss of more than 40% of the bureau’s operating budget would make it "virtually impossible to avoid cuts" to routine maintenance, minor repairs and community center operations. Staff described the standard city budget process for prioritizing reductions and emphasized that the council moved to refer the levy now so longer lead time would be available for budgeting if voters approve it.

Speakers representing community groups urged support. "This renewal gives us time and stability, keeping the system functioning and accessible while we plan for its future," Jessica Green said. Council members from across the city stressed access and equity: Councilor Eric Zimmerman said protecting playgrounds and youth programs was a core reason to support the levy, while Councilor Candace Avalos emphasized investments for East Portland.

The commission heard three live public speakers and received one written comment supporting the levy. The hearing closed after commissioners asked follow-up questions about program details, capital maintenance allocations and steps the bureau is taking to report district-level budget and performance metrics.

No formal TSCC action or vote on the measure occurred at the hearing; TSCC’s stated role in the session was informational and to represent questions community members might ask as the measure proceeds to the ballot.