County Proposed Tax Levy

By Brian Towey

People never like to hear about their taxes going up, but we also get upset when we see the effects of dollars needed, not being collected. According to some, Hood River currently enjoys one of the lowest tax rates in the state.  Oregon Live breaks down taxes by county.

This data claims that Hood River has an effective tax rate of $8.40 per $1,000.  In reality, The City of Hood River tax rate is about $15 per $1,000, almost double the number being used.  That is because we have things like libraries, urban renewal projects, schools and fire houses that we have chosen to prioritize through levies and bonds. The use of that $8.40 number is further complicated by the fact that it is applied to assessed value and assessed value does not bear the same relationship to Real Market Value (RMV) in all places. Then, add the reality that we know of two big projects (pool and police station) that will add an additional 10’s of millions of dollars to our (your) tax burden. The argument that we are under-taxed is not as strong as proponents think.

There is no doubt that revenue to The County has been compromised.  Here is their explanation that was prepared prior to the dual levy proposals of 2019. Hood River County Budget Overview.

Hood River News wrote an explanation of what is happening.  In May of 2019, Hood River County took two, simultaneous shots at revenue increases to address a broad range of budget concerns.  One was a property tax increase, the other a food and beverage tax – they both failed.  Expect the new levy to be more specific.

Per Gorge Radio: “The Hood River County Commission has settled on a rate of 78 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value for a five-year public safety levy that will be put before voters on the May ballot.”  The text of that levy is not yet available.

The public safety need is complex and includes more than just a patrol presence in the county.  Hood River (the city) and Hood River (the county) are two separate entities with different responsibilities and budgets – a fact sometimes lost even among some of our public officials.

What does this mean? It would mean the county would have an increased revenue stream to help with their budget shortfall.  During the next five years they would need to diligently work on showing the public that it is finding long term solutions, and if the citizens do not feel they executed well, the levy would end.

Edit This is the official filing - Notice of Measure Election SEL 801

What does this not mean? This levy will not affect police services to the City of Hood River - services that residents of the city already pay for. So, citizens living within the city would also have an increase in property tax without a noticeable increase in policing services.

What could help?  Some have suggested that a closer collaboration between policing entities would benefit the city and the county.  What do you think?