Advisory committee recommends postponing proposed five‑year parks levy after poll shows insufficient support

The NCPRD District Advisory Committee voted 8–0 to recommend that the board postpone introduction of a proposed five‑year local option levy and continue community engagement and research before pursuing a future ballot measure.

District Director Kia, speaking to the committee, said the district faces mounting operational shortfalls: "our primary challenge and constraint is that NCPRD revenues are just not keeping pace with our increasing costs," citing that electricity costs have risen by an average 9% each year and that the district cut $1.3 million from the current fiscal year budget and plans another $400,000 in reductions next year. Kia warned that without new operational funding the district forecasts a fiscal "cliff" around fiscal year 2031–32 that could force significant service reductions and potential facility closures.

Nathan Henry, Western Conservation Finance Director at the Trust for Public Land, presented feasibility work and polling conducted May 5–12 of 447 likely voters. He described three financing options—a five‑year local option levy, a permanent tax‑rate change (constitutionally complex in Oregon), and capital bonds (limited to capital projects)—and recommended the local option levy as the most practical way to address ongoing operating needs. "Voters were largely split on this measure with about 45% saying that they would vote yes and 47% saying that they would vote no," Henry said, adding that providing a fuller, 175‑word ballot summary improved support only modestly.

The proposed levy ask tested at the meeting was 18¢ per $1,000 of assessed value beginning in 2027. Henry noted state law requires a disclosure that the measure "may cause property taxes to increase more than 3%," a line presenters said can be confusing to voters but cannot be omitted. Presenters estimated the 18¢ ask would cost "about $4.50 additional each month" for a representative market‑value home example cited in the meeting.

Amy Ruiz of Swift Public Affairs and partners advised a phased approach if the district pauses the measure: produce a concise "state of the district" report to increase transparency, hold listening sessions and targeted outreach, and refine messaging based on community input and additional research. Ruiz and others cautioned that alternative revenue mechanisms targeting specific taxpayers (for example, surtaxes on high incomes or business surcharges) can invite strongly funded opposition.

During the discussion DAC members pressed on ballot timing (May special election versus a November general election), local wording choices ("preserve" versus "maintain"), subarea targeting, campaign resource needs and coordination with other potential local measures. The Trust for Public Land estimated that a solid campaign in this district would likely cost in the low six figures and warned that November turnout dynamics can change the electorate and messaging needs.

A motion offered at the meeting read in part: "The district advisory committee recommend to the NCPD board of directors that introduction of a local option levy be postponed at this time and that the district continue to work with the Trust for Public Land, Intertwine Alliance, and Swift Public Affairs to continue engagement efforts and evaluate the timing for a future 5‑year local option levy." The motion was seconded, and the committee voted 8–0 in favor.

Angela Wright of the Milwaukee Community Center Foundation spoke to the committee about the center's social services, saying the foundation has supplied about $180,000 this fiscal year for Meals on Wheels and has committed $300,000 for the coming year to keep key programs running. Presenters and members emphasized that private donations have helped sustain services but do not replace a stable operational revenue source for district‑wide needs.

Next steps, as agreed by the DAC, are continued engagement work with the Trust for Public Land, Intertwine Alliance and Swift Public Affairs; drafting and review of a concise public "state of the district" report; targeted listening sessions; and further polling and message testing before the board considers whether and when to place a levy on a future ballot. Chair Sheila Shaw adjourned the meeting at 7:20:30 p.m.