Portland parks funding hangs in the balance as levy renewal vote approaches

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- An important vote is underway to determine the budget for Portland Parks & Recreation.

The proposal is Measure 26-260, which would increase taxes to keep the city parks operation. If it fails, the city says it will have to lay off about half of the Park Bureau’s staff.

So far the voter turnout is low. As of Sunday afternoon, the Multnomah County Elections Division dashboard shows a little over 19% percent of Portland voters have turned in their ballots.

The city's parks funding comes from two sources. The first is the general fund, which pays for things such as parks maintenance. Then the levy, whose funds solely go towards parks programing such as swim lessons and reduced cost programs.

Passed in 2020, the five-year parks levy currently taxes property owners 8