Posted
Sponsored by: Board of Commissioners
November 6 Election Includes Measure to Continue Funding for ESPD
This November, voters in the urban unincorporated area of Washington County will see a measure on the ballot about funding for the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District (ESPD). Measure 34-198 would continue an enhanced level of police emergency response for residents in the ESPD, even with projected population growth.
Voters approved the ESPD in 1987 and local option levies since then to provide an enhanced level of law enforcement patrol service within the urban communities outside of cities. The District includes the communities of Aloha, Bethany, Bull Mountain, Bonny Slope, Cedar Hills, Cedar Mill, Claremont, Cooper Mountain, Garden Home, Metzger, Oak Hills, Orenco, Raleigh Hills, Reedville, Rock Creek, Somerset, Terra Linda, West Haven, West Slope and other urban areas outside of Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro and Tigard.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners has asked voters in the Patrol District to consider replacing local option levy funding this November. This measure would maintain current service levels within the Patrol District by replacing a levy expiring June 2013. The Replacement Levy would:
- Continue an enhanced level of police emergency response for residents of the ESPD, even with projected population growth;
- Maintain a police presence that is approximately double that of the rural area of Washington County; and
- Provide funds for investigating major crimes occurring within the ESPD, including homicide, assault, burglary and domestic violence.
A permanent tax rate (64 cents per $1,000 assessed value) funds about half of Patrol District services. A five-year, voter-approved levy (averaging 63 cents per $1,000 assessed value) that expires June 2013 funds the remaining half. This is the portion that Measure 34-198 proposes to replace.
Measure 34-198 would provide funding to District police services at a fixed tax rate of 68 cents per $1,000 assessed value. This is an increase of 5 cents over the current average rate. The increase would provide funding to continue the current level of patrol services in the District, even with projected population growth. Compared to the current levy, the proposed levy would increase property taxes on a home assessed at $230,000 by about $12 per year. If the permanent rate is combined with the Replacement Levy rate, homeowners in the Patrol District with an assessed value of $230,000 would pay $156 in 2013. The tax due in future years would depend on changes in assessed value in the urban unincorporated area.
All citizens of Washington County are encouraged to vote this November. More information about the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District Replacement Levy, which will appear on ballots in the urban unincorporated area only, can be found at the Sheriff's Office web site at: www.co.washington.or.us/espd.
Chairman Andy Duyck
Commissioner Greg Malinowski
Commissioner Roy Rogers
Commissioner Dick Schouten
Commissioner Bob Terry