May primary election ballots are hitting the mail

(Update: Correcting Bend/fire district property tax levy rate)

Ballots have been mailed out for the May 15 primary election, and along with all the party candidates seeking nominations, there are a few money measures on the ballot in Deschutes County.

Voters in Sisters will decide in the upcoming election if they are going to continue funding a levy for the school district and pass a levy for the Sisters Parks and Recreation District.

The school district levy is a five-year renewal of the levy that is already in place, continuing the 75 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Several Sisters residents said Monday they are in favor of continuing that levy.

“I think they should absolutely continue it,” resident Cort Horner said. The school districts continue to do good work here and manage their money well.”

And Dave Moyer said he is in favor as well.

“Well, we’ve had the levy for the past five years, and to keep our schools in the condition they are right now, and the teachers we have, I think it needs to pass,” Moyer said.

The Sister Parks and Recreation ballot measure was also widely supported by people many of the people NewsChannel 21 spoke to on Monday.

They are looking to increase their funding to help keep their programs around.

According to the parks and rec district, the levy would raise over $200,000 in the first year if it’s passed.

Voters in Bend, meanwhile, will decide if they want to change compensation in place for city councilors, as well as if they would like the chance to directly elect a mayor.

Right now, the city charter allows for city council members to receive $200 per month.

The measure, if passed, would change that and allow council member compensation and the mayor’s compensation to be set by council ordinance.

Also on the ballot is a measure to allow voters to elect a mayor to a four-year term. Currently, city councilors choose of their colleagues to serve in the role of leading meetings, helping the city managers compile agendas and representing the city in various groups.

Many people said Monday they are in favor of Bend residents electing thei mayor.

“I think they should,” Bend resident Christopher Ellsworth said. “I think it’s a good idea to have a mayor in charge, running things, kind of overseeing everybody else. I think that’s a good idea.”

If the measure is passed, the city charter would be amended to allow for Bend voters to elect their own mayor.

Bend-area voters also will decide if they want to renew a levy that has helped to fund the Bend Fire Department and Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District No. 2.

The measure, if passed, would renew the levy that is in place for the next five years.

The proposal would continue the tax rate charged in Bend and the fire district of 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Bend Fire Battalion Chief Dave Howe said the funding will all go to help improve crucial response times.

“With the funding from the levy, we were able to hire limited-term employees that are basic life support,” he said. “They operate one of our ambulances, and they can go to the lesser emergency-type calls.”

And many said they are in favor of renewing the levy for the next five years.

“We need to have that coverage, because you just don’t get it anywhere else,” said Bend resident Bridget Statler. “I like the fire department — they come out there all the time, and Deschutes River Woods is very, very busy when fires happen out there.”

If the levy is renewed, the city residents’ contribution would generate over $2 million in the next year. The rural fire district would generate over $600,000 if the levy also passes there.

All ballots must be turned in by May 15 at 8 p.m. to be counted in the upcoming election.

Click here for more on the election.