Why It Matters
More than two dozen fire departments across Oregon are asking taxpayers to approve higher property taxes to maintain emergency services. The funding crunch stems from decades-old tax limitation measures that capped revenue growth even as call volumes and operating costs have climbed.
For communities that rely on volunteer or understaffed departments, the outcome of these May 19 votes will determine whether local firefighters can respond quickly to medical emergencies and structure fires.
What Happened
Fire funding dominates local ballots this primary season. Twenty-eight fire districts across 12 counties have placed tax levies or bonds before voters to support staffing and operations. One additional district in Sandy is seeking annexation into Clackamas Fire District.
The fire measures are part of nearly 100 local questions appearing on ballots in 30 Oregon counties. Other proposals would raise property taxes or issue bonds for schools, libraries, and parks. Voters in some areas will decide on city annexations and charter changes.
By the Numbers
Fire departments are asking for funding in 12 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Grant County voters will decide whether to create a new taxing district charging 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to save the county’s only library. Hood River’s Parks and Recreation District seeks approval for a bond that would add 64 cents per $1,000 in assessed value to renovate a pool built in 1948. The district’s tax rate has been frozen at 35 cents per $1,000 for three decades. More than a dozen charter-change measures are on the ballot in 10 cities and one county.
Zoom Out
Oregon voters approved Measures 5 and 50 in the 1990s, capping property tax growth by basing valuations on rate-limited assessments rather than market value. Urban renewal zones and enterprise areas meant to spur development have further reduced property tax revenue available to local services.
Brian Stewart, assistant chief of strategic services at Clackamas Fire and legislative chair for the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, said fire departments statewide are underfunded relative to community expectations. Fire season now stretches from May through October instead of the previous late July to August window. Structural fires burn hotter and spread faster due to modern building materials.
Grant County officials determined last year that eliminating library funding was necessary to close a $1.5 million budget shortfall. Residents formed the Save Our Library Committee and gathered enough signatures to place the taxing district question on the ballot. Every municipality in the county has passed a resolution supporting the measure.
What’s Next
Voters have until May 19 to return their ballots. If fire district measures fail, departments will continue operating with volunteer staff and reduced budgets while emergency call volumes increase. Grant County’s library will close without voter approval of the new taxing district.
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