Published On: September 5th, 2024

About Measure #9-176

Permanent Tax Rate Limit Authorization
Election Day: November 5th, 2024

Background

The Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) was established in 1947 to protect and enhance the natural resources within Deschutes County.

In the last year, the District conducted a thorough assessment of natural resource needs, and based on those results the elected Board voted to refer a measure to the ballot for a permanent tax rate limit authorization to the voters for the November 5, 2024 election. If passed, the maximum amount the District could levy is $0.06 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and this rate could not be raised.

This would be a dedicated funding source to fund conservation efforts through projects for urban and rural communities, farmers, foresters, business owners, schools and agencies.

DSWCD serves all of Deschutes County and promotes voluntary efforts to conserve water, protect drinking water supply, improve soil health for local farms and agriculture, support forest health, reduce wildfire risk, enhance fish/wildlife habitat, control invasive weeds, restore streams, and support natural areas and urban green spaces. DSWCD does not make or enforce regulations and is currently funded through short-term grants.

If Passed, How Much Would The Proposed Measure Cost?

If passed, the proposed measure would increase property taxes $0.06 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

The median DSWCD taxpayer is estimated to pay $1.19 per month on a home assessed at $238,000, or about $14 per year. The tax is expected to raise $2.1 million per year.

If the proposed levy does not pass, the specific set of projects identified below would not be completed and the proposed property tax increase would not occur.

What would the levy fund?

If passed, the proposed levy would provide a stable funding source for the District, expanding services and conservation projects in both urban and rural areas. If
passed, the levy would fund projects including:

  • Water Conservation and Drought Resilience for
    Farmers and Ranchers: Boosting irrigation efficiency, piping of shared private laterals, flood to sprinkler and sprinkler to drip conversions, and irrigation water management plans.
  • Forest Health/Wildfire Risk Reduction: Developing forest management plans with landowners, addressing risk from insects and disease, and restoring lands after wildfires to protect homes and communities.
  • Neighborhood and Urban Green Spaces: Enhancing green spaces, supporting community gardens, and converting landscapes to drought resistant and native pollinator landscapes.

If the measure passes, Deschutes SWCD plans to:

  • Expand current projects and launch new ones to address environmental challenges in rural and urban areas.
  • Increase resources and financial and technical assistance for landowners, communities, and partner organizations to support the implementation of best conservation practices.
  • Expand educational programs to improve understanding and appreciation of conservation across all age groups in the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (DSWCD) is a non-regulatory organization that promotes voluntary conservation efforts on private lands to protect and enhance local natural resources across Deschutes County. The primary natural resource challenges facing Deschutes County are water quality and quantity, forest health, wildfire risk, invasive weeds, fish and wildlife habitat, and land/soils management.

In recent years, the District has seen an increased request for services that exceed the District’s ability to provide assistance. Starting in December 2023, the District conducted listening sessions with county stakeholders as well as online and mail surveys to solicit citizen input on where the District should invest its resources. Strong community requests were made for the District to increase its efforts for sustainable management of County water, working lands and open areas, increase work in rural and agriculture areas, give technical assistance to private forest/wood landowners, and extend services to urban areas.

If passed, the proposed measure would authorize an increase in property taxes which would fund core District functions as well as additional requested services. The proposed tax rate would be an additional $0.06 per $1000 of assessed property value. The owner of an average assessed value home would pay $1.19 per month or $14.28 per year.

The tax would be permanent and would raise $2.1 million per year.

Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District currently receives no money from property taxes. The District is currently funded through short-term grants.

If the proposed measure does not pass, the specific set of projects identified below would not be completed and the proposed property tax increase would not occur.

If passed, the proposed levy would provide a stable funding source for the District, expanding services and conservation projects in both urban and rural areas. If passed, the levy would fund projects including:

• Water Conservation and Drought Resilience for Farmers and Ranchers: Boosting irrigation efficiency, piping of shared private laterals, flood to sprinkler and sprinkler to drip conversions, and irrigation water management plans.

• Forest Health/Wildfire Risk Reduction: Developing forest management plans with landowners, addressing risk from insects and disease, and restoring lands after wildfires to protect homes and communities.

• Neighborhood and Urban Green Spaces: Enhancing green spaces, supporting community gardens, and converting landscapes to drought resistant and native pollinator landscapes.

If passed, the permanent tax rate would be set at $0.06 per $1,000 assessed property value. This rate would be fixed by law and could not be raised. If the maximum amount is levied, it will cost about $14.28 per year on a median property value assessed at $238,000.

The District has an elected Board of Directors, and its meetings and records are all public. District financial reports are audited annually and available to the public.

Deschutes SWCD works with rural landowners to conserve irrigation water, improve water quality from agricultural production, and enhance forest health and reduce wildfire risk. In a time of persistent drought, these actions protect our waterways throughout the County that urban residents utilize, and provides wildfire risk protection for urban cities during a catastrophic fire. Also, the District works with urban communities through education, technical and financial assistance to enhance community and school gardens, pollinator habitat, and the enhancement of native vegetation and water conservation.

To determine the assessed value of a home, visit the Deschutes County website at dial.deschutes.org/search/general. You can enter the address or other information to locate a property and its current assessed value.

Proposed Measure #9-176 Information: Download

FAQ: Download

Share this article

Follow us
Discover More