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LWV speaker and Councilor Dunphy outline pros and cons of Portland parks levy at PVNA meeting
Summary
At the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association meeting, League of Women Voters speaker Trish Garner and District 1 Councilor Jamie Dunphy detailed Ballot Measure 26-260's five-year parks levy, its estimated $133 per-year impact for a $221,600-assessed home, and arguments for and against directing only three cents of $1.40 to a $600 million maintenance backlog.
At the Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association's Oct. 20 meeting, Trish Garner of the League of Women Voters presented an overview of Ballot Measure 26-260, a proposed five-year Portland parks levy that would raise the current rate from $0.80 to $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value beginning July 1, 2026. Garner told attendees the levy is expected to raise about $84 million in its first year and roughly $91 million annually thereafter to maintain parks and recreation services.
Garner emphasized fiscal details: the measure is estimated to increase annual property taxes by about $133 for a property assessed at $221,600 (roughly $11 a month). She also noted a roughly $600 million backlog of park repair and maintenance; under the current proposal, three cents of the $1.40 levy would be earmarked for that backlog. Opponents say three cents yields only about $2 million toward the backlog, which they consider inadequate.
District 1 Councilor Jamie Dunphy explained how the proposal arrived at the $0.03 figure, saying it was a compromise with the Portland Business Alliance after Council negotiations. Dunphy said the city intends to use other General Fund resources to cover shortfalls and pointed to near-term policy work: "The new City Council has put on its February 2026 legislative short session a discussion of SDC reform," he said, and added that the PP&R director position has turned over while the agency awaits levy results. Dunphy also said that, in his view, "82nd St is often considered the 'boonies' but, in fact, it is the geographic center!" and that many properties east of I-205 would not be affected in the same way as newer homes with market-aligned assessed values.
PVNA members asked whether the neighborhood association could formally advocate on the ballot measure; both the PVNA Chair and Dunphy said no, saying the organization will instead provide information so residents can make an educated vote. The measure, if approved by voters, would take effect July 1, 2026; if it fails, Portland Parks & Recreation services and recreation programs could see reductions and the current levy revenues would end.
