EXPLANATION OF MULTNOMAH COUNTY

MAY 19, 2026 BALLOT MEASURE LEVY FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WITHIN THE BURLINGTON WATER DISTRICT

Burlington Water District (District) a municipal corporation receives revenue from water sales and loan payments for infrastructure. The District receives tax revenues from properties within the District boundaries for emergency (fire and ambulance) services contracted with other agencies serving about 400 people.

The proposed levy of $1.70 per $1,000 of assessed value would raise an estimated average of $87,029 annually for five years. This will supplement the existing $3.4269  permanent rate and is separate from water rates. Rising costs from the City of Portland Fire Bureau make this adjustment necessary; average annual increases have risen 10% per year over the past four years, nearly double the average growth in property taxes. Current property tax revenue is no longer enough to cover the costs of emergency services. The average assessed value for a property in our taxing district is $166,000.00. For the average property, the current monthly cost for emergency services is $47. The local levy option would add $24 per month for a total of $70.92. These taxes are collected by Multnomah County and can only be used to pay for emergency services provided by the City of Portland Fire and Rescue.