It's got a nice alliterative ring to it... livability levy. The official name for what Salem voters will consider on the May 20, 2025 ballot is Measure 24-514.
The measure increases property taxes to pay for the library, parks, and Center 50+. If it doesn't pass, drastic cuts will have to be made to these important components of our city's livability. What kind of city would Salem be without them?
Not one most people would be proud of.
These are difficult times. Our national politics are a divisive mess. Prospects for the economy don't look great. Inflation is moderating a bit but prices are still too high on many things.
So it's understandable why some will be reluctant to mark Yes on Measure 24-514. Since ordinary people have to find ways to reduce costs, why can't the City of Salem?
Because there's solid evidence that the folks at City Hall have (metaphorically) looked under the sofa cushions for loose change, and there's simply not enough money in the general fund to fund the library, parks, and Center 50+ without this property tax increase.
Today the Salem Reporter had a story by Abbey McDonald, "Timeline: How Salem's city government got to its current budget crisis." Here's excerpts related to the need for Measure 24-514.
This month, voters in Salem will decide whether to support or reject the city’s proposed new property tax as the city faces deep cuts to the Salem Public Library, in parks, at Center 50+ and across city services.
The levy is the latest attempt by the city to balance its budget, after years of cuts, studies and other efforts to raise revenue. Spending has outpaced revenue due to measures in the 1990s which limited how much the city could bring in property taxes, and as state-mandated pension payments increase.
...February [2025]: A committee of financially-savvy executives tasked with looking at the city’s budget to find waste release their findings: the city’s budgetary woes are less about wasteful spending and inefficiencies and are largely due to structural problems outside Salem’s control.
...April [2025]: City leaders release their budget proposal for the year, with deep cuts to city services including 51 full time city jobs. It includes cutting library staff by 23, closing the West Salem branch and cutting the main branch to 20 hours per week.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce issues its endorsement of the levy. Gov. Tina Kotek says she supports the effort. Salem Reporter hosts a town hall inviting community members to ask city leadership about the levy.
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