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Budget roundup: library, street‑lighting, parks and other district budgets approved
Summary
A set of Clackamas County special‑district budget committees approved proposed FY26–27 budgets today: Library District ($27.21M), Service District No. 5 street lighting ($5.02M), North Clackamas Parks & Recreation ($42.41M) and several smaller district budgets. Votes were unanimous; library distribution formula and parks funding equity prompted questions.
Multiple special‑district budget committees convened and approved their proposed FY26–27 budgets in a series of votes during the session.
Key outcomes at a glance: • Library District — Approved $27,213,851 with appropriations equal; imposed the district’s maximum permanent rate of $0.3974 per $1,000. Committee members and public commenters raised concerns about distribution formula inequities and limited operations and maintenance dollars for some libraries; staff clarified distribution is governed by the master IGA and would require city approvals to change.
• Service District No. 5 (street lighting) — Approved $5,021,596 with appropriations of $3,698,836. Staff said no rate increase is proposed despite a forecast ~9% increase in electricity costs because reserves and asset sales provide a cushion this year. PGE provides ongoing maintenance under agreements.
• North Clackamas Parks & Recreation District (NCPRD) — Approved $42,411,530 with appropriations of $31,980,626. Staff described structural constraints from a fixed 1990 tax rate (54¢ per $1,000) and ongoing service reductions; advisory and commissioners discussed the possibility of a future ballot measure to increase sustainable funding.
Other routine special‑district budgets (extension/4‑H, housing authority, CCDA subitems) were discussed and advanced in their respective committees.
Votes at a glance (selected): • Development Agency: approved, 8–0 (motion recorded SEG 509) • Service District No. 5: approved, 9–0 (recorded SEG 930) • Library District: approved, 8–0 (recorded SEG 1412) • NCPRD: approved, 8–0 (recorded SEG 3752)
Members requested follow‑up on library distribution and parks levy outreach strategy; parks staff described grants, SDCs and partner donations that helped offset reductions but said longer‑term revenue solutions will be needed.
