Referred to the People by the City Council

Three Year Local Option Tax for Library, Pool, Parks Support

Question: Shall the City of Stayton implement a $236,300
operating tax annually for three years, beginning in Fiscal Year 2002-2003?

This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.

Summary: This measure may be passed only at an election with at least a 50 percent voter turnout.

The City of Stayton is seeking a three-year local option tax of $236,300 per year, beginning in Fiscal Year 2002-2003, to partially fund specific elements of the library, swimming pool and park programs.

A portion of the proposed tax will offset the loss of the previous 3-year library/pool local option tax passed in 1998. An allowance is also made for delinquent and uncollectible taxes. This tax would raise $708,900 over the three year period.

Library support will include reinstating or increasing audio-visual, reference material and book budgets to former levels, replacing obsolete computers, deferred building maintenance and offsetting anticipated loss of regional library reimbursements.

Pool support will include offsetting increased utility costs, reinstating operating hours and, over three years, constructing a new boiler room, chlorination system replacement, refurbishing shower rooms and miscellaneous equipment repairs.

Parks program support will include replacement of playground equipment in Westown, North Slope and Community Center Parks (one each year).