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Commissioner raises alarm over proposed changes to Metro's Supportive Housing Services tax
Summary
Commissioner Ben West said Jan. 16 that proposed changes at Metro to the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) tax could reduce revenues and harm services. He said counties and cities want elected oversight and oppose reductions that would 'devastate' planned services.
Commissioner West told the board on Jan. 16 that Clackamas County is closely monitoring proposed changes at Metro to the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) tax and urged public attention to the issue.
"Currently, the counties and the cities are at odds with Metro and how they want to completely restructure and change the SHS tax," Commissioner West said. He told colleagues that Metro planned a work session the same day and that some proposals on the table included reducing the tax rate and extending the tax for an additional 20 years beyond the period voters originally approved. "Ideas have really traumatized and devastated our ability to carry out services," he said, urging minimal reduction and stronger local accountability.
West said counties and cities favor boards composed of elected officials rather than including funding recipients with voting authority on oversight bodies; he suggested nonvoting advisory roles for groups that receive funds. He described ongoing discussions about governance, oversight and potential expansion of allowable uses for SHS revenue, and said county officials are "adamant against" large reductions that would undermine existing program commitments.
The board did not take a formal vote on SHS policy at this meeting; West said the topic will escalate in the coming weeks as Metro considers placing measures before voters and as cities and counties continue negotiations about governance and funding structure.
