PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland area's three biggest ballot measures are projected to pass as of Wednesday afternoon, based on the first few rounds of results for the May primary election.
Portland Measure 26-245, which would renew the city's 10-cent-per-gallon gas tax, and Portland Public Schools Measure 26-246, which would renew an education funding levy, were both called by The Oregonian shortly after the first results were posted.
"This local gas tax is essential for preserving our transportation infrastructure and improving safety," Commissioner Mingus Mapps, who is in charge of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, wrote in a statement. "Voters understood our message, and voted to keep our streets safe."
Metro Measure 26-244, which would renew a set of bonds to raise $380 million for funding for the Oregon Zoo, showed a roughly 55% yes vote and remained uncalled Tuesday night, but was called by The Oregonian on Wednesday afternoon.
The gas tax and school levy measures in particular were the subject of intense campaigning leading up to the election, with public officials casting both measures as make-or-break packages whose failures would result in widespread teacher layoffs and worsening road conditions.
Public safety measures
The schools, roads and zoo measures generated the lion's share of election season ads and mailers, but there was also a regional flood control measure and a host of local public safety levies around the Portland metro area. Here's where each one stands as of 10:05 p.m. Tuesday night:
Measure 26-243 — Flood Safety District
This measure, which is projected to pass, authorizes $150 million in bonds to fund upgrades to the system of levees, pumps and pipes along the Columbia River that protects the north side of Multnomah County from floods, funded by a property tax levy of $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. The bonds would be issued by the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District, which was created by the state legislature in 2019 to manage the region's aging flood control infrastructure.
Measure 26-247 — Gresham police and fire
The measure would levy a property tax of $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed value to fund police and fire operations in Gresham, specifically: hiring 13 new firefighters and nine new police officers. The city warned in the voters pamphlet that the measure could raise property taxes by more than 3%, but augured that existing public safety funding hasn't kept pace with the city's growth over the past 20 years, leading to staffing and service challenges.
Measure 34-327 — North Plains urban growth boundary
This measure, which is projected to fail, would have authorized the city of North Plains, which lies north of Hillsboro along Highway 26, to expand its urban growth boundary by about 855 acres, in response to what the city describes as a need for nearly 700 acres of new space for commercial and industrial development. The expansion wouldn't allow for immediate development; the new land would still need to be formally annexed and zoned by the city.
Measure 34-332 — Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
The measure would levy a property tax of $0.69 per $1,000 of assessed value for to fund the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue district, which serves much of Washington County and portions of Yamhill and Clackamas counties including the cities of Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Wilsonville, West Linn and Newberg. The district said it would be able to hire another 36 first responders if the measure passes, but would lose funding for 92 existing positions if it fails, forcing layoffs.
The Yes vote was ahead by a large margin late Tuesday night, and although the race hadn't yet been called yet, TVF&R Fire Chief Deric Weiss issued a statement thanking the community for its support.
"We know that our residents work hard and have to make tough decisions about how their money is spent. Our community has consistently told us that their top priority for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue is fast and effective emergency response. We will continue to use investments wisely to fulfill this commitment. With additional firefighters and paramedics, our network will be stronger and our ability to provide life-saving care will improve," he said.
Measure 34-333 — Tigard public safety
The measure would renew an existing public safety levy, maintaining a property tax of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed value for another five years. Allowing the levy to expire would remove funding for eight patrol officers, one school resource officer and two police support staff, according to the city.
Measure 34-337 — Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District
The measure would levy a property tax of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to fill a $16 million gap in the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District's budget and maintain current service levels, according to the district.