What measures will be on your ballot this May?
The May 15 primary election is rapidly approaching, and there are seven measures on the ballot in Deschutes County.
The future of the Bend City Council is dependent on this election.
Two measures could directly impact council members. The first, asks voters to decide whether or not the mayor of Bend should be elected by the public, rather than by the current system where the mayor is appointed by council members.
The second, asks voters whether or not to give an outside advisory committee the task of setting councilor compensation, rather than the current system that is set by the City of Bend Charter at $200 a month.
Three measures are directly related to fire and emergency services in Deschutes County, and are renewals of existing levies.
The first, from the city of Bend, asks voters to approve a five-year levy of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain staffing and response times at the Bend Fire Department. It’s estimated to raise $12.5 million in the next five years.
The second asks Deschutes County voters to again approve an operating levy of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Those funds would also go toward maintaining staffing and response times as Bend Fire services properties in the surrounding Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2. It’s estimated to raise just over $3 million.
The third asks voters to renew the current 5-year levy of 64 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain staffing, scholarships, equipment and facilities at the La Pine Rural Fire Protection District.
And two measures involve the city of Sisters.
The first asks voters to approve a supplemental levy of 15 cents per $1,000 of property value to support improved programs and facilities with the Sisters Park and Recreation Department. It’s 20-year-old tax base assesses 22 cents per $1,000.
The second asks voters to renew a 2013 levy of 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed value for the Sisters School District to maintain staffing and facilities for the next five years.
Monday is the last day for measure arguments to be filed for inclusion in the voters pamphlet.
No measures have been filed in Crook County or Jefferson County for the May election.The deadline to register to vote is April 24.
