Hi Nyle,
A while back you asked what my Ballot Measure title would be. I wasn't sure. I waited for the voter's pamphlet to come out to see a current example of the right format. So here's my latest version I'll send to the County Clerk. Its format is copied from the Sunriver/Cloverdale ballot measures included in the current election Voter's Pamphlet so it should be ok, or close.
“Ballot Title: Panoramic Special Access Road District Ten-Year Local Option Levy
QUESTION: Shall the District levy a 10-year capital improvement tax to repair and pave District Roads at a rate of $.-- per $1000 of assessed value starting in fiscal year 2022/23?
This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three per cent.”
As I understand it, once the title is approved and the estimated project cost is provided to the County, they will provide the amount for the “$.-- per $1000”, and the ballot title text can be finalized. The County then would also calculate for us the expected revenue from the levy in each year of the levy. All that info would then need to be summarized below the title and further describe the paving project that the funds would be spent on, similar to the summary in the current voter's pamphlet for the Sunriver or the Cloverdale Fire levy. Anyone can submit their arguments to the County for or against the levy for inclusion in the voter pamphlet.
Along the way a form needs to be filed before we could start to gather signatures. It's not very many signatures - 10% of the number of District voters who voted in the last election for governor. There are about 220 registered voters in Panoramic. Even if all of them voted last time only about 22 signatures would be required. I think the turnout was closer to 70% so I'm guessing about 15 will be required. The County Clerk would calculate it and tell us. Once the signatures are filed it triggers some notice requirements from the County to the District, and some normal gov't machinations along the way. One thing, if a committee is formed to raise money for or against (I'm not going to do that) a form with another hoop or two needs to be filed. Nothing too surprising or burdensome.
Once the County fills in the $.-- per $1000 of assessed value, District owners could than see what their property tax increase would be for those 10 years, and see their total balance if they prefer to pay lump sum. (If you do that I wonder if you get the 3% discount right now on the whole balance, anyone know?) After that all that's left is to vote and see what happens.
Once the County provides the $.-- per $1000 of assessed value, District owners could calculate what their yearly property tax increase would be, or find their starting balance if they prefer to pay lump sum. It could be done in time for a September special election without too much effort.
So it's ready to go for all practical purposes. We already have the engineering, material and cost estimates subject to any updates. We can't put a vote off forever, and costs are continuing to rise.
I believe there's a good chance the ballot measure could pass if the Board and all those who support paving could put our differences aside and turn our efforts toward that. There's also time to tweak the plan if necessary to broaden support if necessary. Whether or not it passes the District voters will have decided on this proposal. If it doesn't pass we'll have to fix and upgrade our roads as best we can with our annual base assessment and see if there is something more would support.
Those appear to be our choices now. The sooner we decide the better, there's still time to get it done in time for the September special election deadline.
Thanks,
Glenn Brown
ps I apologize for the text shading. It just showed up and I can't for the life of me figure out how to turn it off.