Notice is hereby given that the City Elections Official of the City of Independence has received a ballot title for a measure related to a five-year local option levy referred by the City Council on August 13, 2024. Any voter may file a petition for review of the ballot title in the Polk County Circuit Court in accordance with ORS 250.296. The deadline to file a petition for review is 5:00 p.m. on August 23, 2024. Copies of the ballot title are available on the City of Independence’s website, www.ci.independence.or.us, or at Independence Civic Center, 555 S Main Street, Independence, OR 97358.
On August 13, 2024, the following ballot title was filed with the Elections Official of the City of Independence:
Caption
Five-year levy supporting City library, museum, and parks operations.
Question
Shall the City impose $1.82 per $1,000 of assessed value for five years beginning 2025-26 supporting library, museum, parks operations. This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
Summary
The City of Independence is seeking a five-year local option tax beginning in fiscal year 2025-26, to support operations and maintenance of the City’s museum, library, and parks.
If approved, the levy would support continued operation and maintenance of the Heritage Museum, Independence Public library, and city parks for the next five years, ensuring that current service levels are maintained. Programs and services funded by this levy include, but are not limited to, the library’s book groups for adults, Youth Coding League and STEM programming for teens, preschool and bilingual Storytime programs, and a community warming/cooling center. Museum services funded by this levy include preservation of local artifacts and history, continuation of the annual Ghost Walk event, online exhibits, continued presentation of traveling exhibits from the Smithsonian and other notable sources, special evening and weekend offerings, and support to school field trips. Continued maintenance of City neighborhood parks grounds, restrooms, and equipment are also included.
The proposed rate will raise approximately $1,123,000, $1,156,000, $1,191,000, $1,227,000, and $1,264,000 over the five fiscal years, respectively.
Published pursuant to ORS 250.275.
