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Council approves five-year parks levy measure after debate over Wilderness Park lease and costs
Summary
Staton City Council voted 3–1 to place a five-year parks operating levy on the November ballot after arguing over whether to tie the measure to opening Wilderness Park and the cost of initial cleanup and fencing.
The Staton City Council on July 21 voted to adopt Resolution 25-028 to place a five-year local-option parks operating tax (proposed rate $1.10 per $1,000 assessed value) on the November ballot. The item followed several work sessions and detailed discussion about whether the levy should be explicitly tied to opening Wilderness Park and about draft lease terms with the local water-control district.
Council debated multiple items before a final motion to adopt passed 3–1. Councilor Ort voted no; Councilors Patty, Carey and Sims voted yes. Council discussion focused on two points: the level of voter information and the lease and startup costs tied to opening Wilderness Park. Staff and Brent (representing the water district) described proposed upfront work that staff estimated at roughly $70,000 to $100,000 for gate/fence/cleanup and tree/path work, with a placeholder of about $100,000 used in levy modeling. Council also discussed an ongoing operational estimate of roughly $6,000 per year (plus inflation) already included in the city budget.
Brent told council the district currently has two fenced facilities on the site and the district’s proposal would add a connecting fence and gates so workers can safely conduct maintenance; he said the district did not intend nightly closures but wanted the ability to close the park for maintenance.
Councilor Sims said he wanted Wilderness Park opening to be explicit in voter materials. Staff noted the council is voting on the ballot title and that the explanatory statement (which has stricter word limits) could be amended at the staff level to add Wilderness Park language for voter materials.
The council also discussed lease length. Staff explained the proposed five-year lease term was intentionally tied to the five-year levy so that future levies could consider the remaining capital assets; staff said a long-term 20-year lease would be premature because the levy revenue is only guaranteed for five years.
Outcome and next steps: Council adopted Resolution 25-028 to place the measure on the ballot. Staff said the lease terms discussed are conceptual; the city and the Santiam Water Control District will still need to negotiate a formal lease and return to council with a contract. Staff also said they will amend the explanatory statement to reference Wilderness Park for voter information, per council direction.
Ending: Councilors requested clearer, itemized cost and operational details before future actions and said staff would return with a formal lease for council approval if the levy passes.
