Stayton City Councilors have opted to place a local option tax on the May 15 ballot at the same amount of an expiring levy approved by voters in 2008.
“The city council felt strongly that the voters would appreciate no increase in taxes with the struggling economy,” said Christine Shaffer, finance director for the city of Stayton.
If voters approve the proposed levy, homeowners will be assessed 60 cents per $1,000 – an annual tax of $84 for the average homeowner with a home assessed at $140,000 – to cover costs for Stayton’s public library, family pool and city parks.
The proposed levy replaces the retiring local option tax, which expires at the end of the next fiscal year and currently supports 30 percent of the library’s and 40 percent of the pool’s annual operation costs.
Estimated to bring in $1.322 million over the four years, the new levy will continue the existing levels of operating support for the Stayton Family Memorial Pool and the Stayton Public Library, with any remaining funds, aside from an allowance for uncollectible taxes, going to improvements at the pool, library and city parks.
“Money is included in the levy for parks,” Shaffer said of the proposed local option tax.
“This money will be used as matching funs for grant applications. The top priority of the Parks and Recreation Committee is to rehab Pioneer Park and discussions continue for a skate park.”
The estimated cost of improvements and projects are:
• ADA doors and modifications for library building – $5,000;
• Support for the storyteller outreach program – $10,000;
• Remodel of pool locker rooms – $46,500;
• Pool slide repair and relocate – $33,400; and,
• Park projects and improvements – $60,000.
According to Shaffer, many of the improvements will take place in the first year of the levy, with levy proceeds in subsequent years used to repay upfront loans to finish projects.
Stayton’s first local option tax for the support of the library, pool and parks was passed by voters in November 1998 (four-year), followed by local option tax measures in May 2002 (three-year), May 2004 (four-year) and the existing levy.
Shaffer said no discussions have yet taken place at the city council level addressing what will happen if the levy fails.
In an earlier interview, Shaffer said that without levy funding, a likely scenario could by the closure and “mothballing” of the pool and a reduction in library hours from six days a week to either three or four days.
Neither of these moves would omit maintenance and upkeep of the facilities, she added.
“The city council is hopeful that the voters will continue their support for the library, pool and parks,” Shaffer said.
“A community the size of Stayton is very fortunate to have these cultural opportunities for our residents. These facilities, along with our beautiful parks, offer residents a quality of life you just don’t find in our surrounding communities.”
The current levy will support the library and pool operations through June 30, 2013, Shaffer said.
For information about the local option tax, contact Shaffer at 503-769-3425.
