Board approves Trust for Public Land study to explore voter-funded options

The North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District Board of Directors on Jan. 28 authorized a technical assistance agreement with the Trust for Public Land to conduct a three‑phase funding feasibility study, public opinion polling and recommendations for ballot language and program use if the board chooses to pursue a measure.

District Director Chia Celli introduced the proposal and told the board the TPL Foundation would fund the majority of the work. Nathan Henry, TPL’s Western Conservation Finance Director, described a phased approach: a legal and fiscal feasibility analysis; public polling about concrete options; and, if polling indicates voter support, preparation of specific ballot language and program management recommendations. Celli told the board that signing the technical assistance letter would "not obligate the board to any particular outcome."

Nathan Henry said the organization’s prior ballot work has been successful: "TPL’s ballot measure success rate is over 80 percent," he said. TPL staff told the board that the project timeline would be driven by the final referral date for any ballot the board might choose, and that feasibility research and polling would be scheduled to allow time for program recommendations if needed.

Director Schroeder moved approval of the technical assistance request; Director Salas seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed four to zero.

The agreement directs staff to sign a technical assistance letter to allow TPL and its funders to begin research and polling; the board retains discretion to pause or stop the process after any phase. TPL representatives said a possible outcome of the work would be specific proposals (for example a levy or an increase to the permanent tax rate), but any decision to refer a measure to voters would require a future board action.