First, Happy Halloween! I enjoy gawking at the festive decorations—each year it seems the level of participation and spook style is on the up in the City of Roses. Be safe and enjoy your neighbors on an evening that brings us together.
The Parks Levy – A Hard Decision
This decision has been tough for me. Based on many conversations with Portlanders, I am not alone. Like many who have been on the fence, I share the sentiment of being a proud lover of Parks, frequent user and supporter. Yet, we are experiencing doubt for the first time over supporting this particular levy.
I keep coming back to this point: how do we ensure that the 75% tax increase – that would primarily support recreation services - does not become a standard fix for the Parks Bureau’s ongoing operating model? Despite what I felt was too high a tax, I voted to send this levy to voters with the hopes that the bureau would begin needed reforms. I have yet to see meaningful changes. I wouldn’t have sent this to voters if I knew now what the audit has told us, and I trust many of my Council colleagues would have done the same. I will offer three brief stories based on my experience working with the recreation side of Parks that helped me land my decision on this levy.
Related to all this is a drastic need to amend state statue (or receive revised interpretation from the City’s legal team) that dictates that System Development Charge funds can only be used for new construction, not maintenance of our assets. I was flabbergasted when I was informed of this restriction. If this rule was not the letter of the law, I would have invested in deferred maintenance when I was Parks Commissioner in 2023. I will continue to ask the Mayor and Government Affairs to ‘fix’ this nonsensical law.
Improve our Fees for Service System- We must revisit our so-called sliding scale model for Parks and Rec programs—and make it actually reflect household economics and focus on those in need of assistance. Right now, it’s universal. Anyone can choose a discount, no questions asked. In practice, a family earning six figures can take the same 90% discount as one struggling to make rent. I asked about the financial assistance methodology when I was the Commissioner in charge in 2023, and again as a Councilor in this form of government, the Bureau response continues to baffle me. We’re leaving money on the table, and as a result, our earned revenue is much lower than it should be, which in turn limits our ability to expand financial assistance for those who truly need it.
Leaving Private Money Untapped- During that same period of oversight, I asked, “Who is responsible for raising funds for sponsorships and donations?” The answer I received was that this professional skill was not needed since the 2020 levy was passed. As someone that spent 25 years as a development professional in the community sector, I am aware of the relentless stewardship it takes to solidify and sustain philanthropic sponsorships and financial partnerships with outside partners.
Eliminating partnership development during this current and soon-expiring levy was a mistake that is impossible to justify. I voiced this concern to Parks leadership multiple times and was not taken seriously. We are missing opportunities for millions of dollars. Portland ranks 34th nationally when it comes to securing private donations, according to the Trust for Public Land. We can do better.
Missing an Easy Partnership Win- Moving into my current role as Councilor, I’ve kept looking for ways to improve Parks recreation services. That led me to sponsor a budget note last spring directing that Parks explore expanding our partnership with the USTA Pacific Northwest (USTA PNW), who will take over operations of the Portland Tennis Center and expand their management of the Parks tennis program. The budget note passed unanimously. As of today, the matter is still under negotiation, and I have doubts that the City will follow through. I hope to be convinced otherwise.
From both a financial and service standpoint, this should be an easy yes: USTA PNW would assume annual operating costs, currently borne by the bureau, that would equate to a cost savings to the City of $500,000. In addition, they’d invest $2.5 to 3 million in deferred maintenance. This means that the towels used to mop leaks on the court could instead be used to dry the sweat of Portlanders playing tennis. To drive home the contrast, I visited the Vancouver Tennis Center and saw how the USTA PNW has successfully activated and refurbished that facility. City of Vancouver Parks got a similar deal done in 2018—so why are we still asking the question?
What now? If this levy passes, I’ll keep pushing for a more balanced revenue model for our Parks Recreation Division. We’re leaving money on the table that other cities capture through partnerships, rational fees for services and innovative operations. And we must finally fix the state restriction that blocks us from using SDC funds for deferred maintenance.
If the levy fails, we’ll have a chance to return with reforms that demonstrates to taxpayers we’re serious about efficiency and shared responsibility—not just another tax increase. Now is the time to be bold and respect Portlanders, especially lower income and our older residents on fixed incomes who are already stretched thin.
This levy isn’t a shared responsibility. So as a lifelong parks and recreation advocate, I’ll be voting no—and no matter how the vote lands Tuesday, the city must do better because a 75% increase to a current tax in 2025 is not acceptable. Parks needs a shake up and a no vote is what is necessary to wake us up and deliver reforms.
