2001-05-15 - Voters Pamphlet - County 007 1522
Deschutes County
Voters' Pamphlet
Special Election ni
.F
May 15, 2001
This Voter's Pamphlet is provided to give the voter additional information on these measures. You will not vote on
every measure in this pamphlet. Your ballot will contain only those issues,for which you are eligible
to vote—based on where you live.
INDEX VOTER REGISTRATION
INFORMATION
MEASURES To be eligible to vote in the May 15th, 2001 Special
9-95 Three-Year Split Operating Levy For Sheriff Election, a completed voter registration card must
Services ........................................................2 be postmarked by April 24, 2001.
9-96 Five-year Local Option Tax for General Opera- TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN OREGON,YOU MUST
tions for Ponderosa Pines East Special Road BE:
District ...........................................................3 1. A resident of Oregon.
9-97 Sisters School District No. 6 General 2. A United States citizen.
Obligation Bond Authorization ......................4 3. At least 18 years old by election day.
BALLOT DROP SITES..........................................6 YOU MUST UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION IF:
1. Your residence or mailing address changes.
2. Your name changes.
3. You wish to change your party affiliation.
MADE MISTAKE ON BALLOT OR
NEED A NEW BALLOT
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have moved or your
If your ballot is lost, destroyed, damaged or you name has changed and you have not yet updated
make a mistake in marking your ballot, you may your registration, you are still eligible to vote. Con-
obtain a replacement ballot by contacting the tact the Deschutes County Clerk's office, 388-6546
Deschutes County Clerk's office at 388-6546. for further information.
VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES
If you need assistance in voting, please contact the
Deschutes County Clerk's office at 388-6546.
REMINDER: DESCHUTES COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS
Election results are available after 8:00 PM on May
YOUR BALLOT WILL NOT BE COUNTED IF 15th from the County Clerk's office or on the internet
YOUR ENVELOPE IS NOT SIGNED! at (http://www.deschutes.org).The results will be
updated throughout the night.
Official Deschutes County May 15, 2001 Special Election Voters' Pamphlit, 0 7 - 1523
DESCHUTES COUNTY
Measure No. 9-95
BALLOT TITLE cue.The law also requires the Sheriff to operate the adult jail.
It is the only law enforcement agency in Deschutes County
9-95 THREE-YEAR SPLIT OPERATING LEVY FOR providing these services
SHERIFF SERVICES. This proposed three-year levy will maintain the same tax
QUESTION:Shall County levy$0.78 urban and$1.12 ru- rate of the past three years for the next three years.The
ral per$1,000 assessed value for Sheriff services for three rate is$0.78 in the incorporated cities,Sunriver and Black Butte
years beginning 2001-02?This measure may cause prop- Ranch, and $1.12 in the remaining areas. The additional 34
erty taxes to increase more than three percent. cents paid only by residents in the unincorporated areas funds
sheriff patrols and investigative services.
SUMMARY:This measure may be passed only at an elec
lion with at(east a 50 percent voter turnout. A"YES" vote on this levy maintains your Sheriff services. It
does not increase your tax rate.
State law requires the second sentence under the ques
tion section regarding a possible increase in taxes. In fact, (This information furnished by Tom De Wolf, Chair,
this levy maintains the current tax rate.The tax rate is the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners.)
same as the Sheriff levy passed three years ago. It is
less than the expired 1997-8 levy. Passage of this levy ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
ensures that the Sheriff's tax rate and Sheriff's services
remain stable for three years. On November 7,2000 over 35,000 voters in Deschutes County
Over sixty percent of Sheriff services are funded by this mandated a change in how the Sheriff of Deschutes County
levy.The proposed levy provides funding for: managed and provided leadership to their Sheriffs Office.Dur-
• Crime Prevention ing that campaign, I repeatedly promised that I would not ask
for a single penny increase in the tax-rate that provides essen-
• Crime Investigation tial patrol and investigative services to the people of Deschutes
• Sheriff Patrols County.This levy request fulfills that promise.
• Adult Jail Operations More importantly, passage of this levy will continue not only
• Drug Enforcement&Education the patrol and investigative services needed by all those who
are not served by other police agencies,but will also continue
• Traffic Safety the vital state mandated functions of Search and Rescue,Civil
• Search&Rescue Service, Court Security and the operation of the Dechutes
• Community Policing County Jail.
Arson Investigation On March 13,2001 the voters of Deschutes County overwhelm-
Arson voted to continue the operating levy. The measure re-
Civil Process ceived 75%YES votes and only had a 1.6%under vote.This
• DARE means of all the ballots returned,only 1.6%choose not to vote
These services are provided to all residents, except for on the levy request. This margin clearly shows you support
the levy and recognize that I am keeping my promise to not
patrol services because urban area residents fund local
increase your tax-rate for Sheriff services.
agencies. Because of this, the proposed levy contains a
split tax rate. Taxpayers in the unincorporated area of The levy ballot failed because we did not receive a 50%voter
Deschutes County, excepting Black Butte Ranch and response.The current operating levy expires on June 30,2001.
Sunriver, pay a higher rate because they fund Sheriff's That will be 60 days from when you receive this ballot. It is
patrol services. clear the majority of voters in Deschutes County support the
This proposed local option tax, dedicated to Sheriff ser- changes they mandated last November.We need a 50%voter
vices, is estimated o raise $7,864,948 in 2001-2002,Sheriff er- return to validate your wishes. Please VOTE; we need your
$8,415is e ti ated o r and$8,920,425 in 2003-2004. support and vote to continue with the changes you want made.
For more information about this levy request please visit my
website at www.lesstiles.oro or feel free to phone me at 383-
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT 4393 or 617-VOTE.
Over 60 percent of all sheriff services are funded by a Sheriff's (This information furnished by Les Stiles,
levy.The existing levy expires on June 30,2001.This levy would Deschutes County Sheriff.)
take effect July 1,2001.The tax rate for this levy is the same ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
as the current Sheriff's levy and less than the expired 1997-
8 levy. Passage of this levy ensures the level of funding for VOTE! Sheriff Les Stiles promised to run the Sheriff's Office
Sheriff's services remain stable for three years. on the same dollar amount as previously approved by the vot-
The proposed levy is a split-rate levy.This means taxpayers in ers.He has submitted a levy request with no additional added
the Cities of Bend, Redmond and Sisters, and taxpayers in taxes.
Sunriver and Black Butte Ranch will pay a lesser rate than Almost 75%of the ballots cast in the March election voted to
taxpayers in the rest of the County because those areas fund approve the Sheriff's operating levy. Unfortunately less than
their own local police. 45%of the registered voters actually voted.Don't let the silent
The demand for Sheriff services and the cost of providing those majority,the non-voters, put you and your family at risk.This
services is increasing.Deschutes County continues to be one election is about public safety.Without the levy the Sheriff will
of the fastest growing counties in the state, and voters have have to make cuts.These cuts will reduce the number of jail
approved tough crime measures such as mandatory minimum beds available.Fewer jail beds will mean that convicted crimi-
sentences for violent offenders that requires locking up many nals will be on the streets and in our neighborhoods rather
more accused and convicted criminals. than in jail.Without this levy the County will not fill vacant po-
In addition to law enforcement services, the Sheriff provides sitions in the District Attorney's department.Without this levy
court security,service of civil processes,and search and res- Continued on next page.
2
Official Deschutes County May 15, 2001 Special Election Voters' Pamp
DESCHUTES COUNTY PONDEROSA PINES EAST SPECIAL ROAD DISTRICT
Measure No. 9-95 (Continued) Measure No. 9-96
Continued from previous page. BALLOT TITLE
criminal cases will go uninvestigated and unprosecuted.If the
County does not have the resources to pay for criminal pros- 9-96 FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION TAX FOR GENERAL
ecution,some cases will never get filed.
OPERATIONS
As District Attorney for Deschutes County I depend upon the QUESTION: Shall Ponderosa Pines East Special Road
Sheriff and his staff as part of the law enforcement team help
ing keep our community safe.Vote Yes for public safety.Vote District impose$1,500 each year for five years for general
Yes for the Sheriff's levy. operations beginning in 2001-2002? This measure may
cause property taxes to increase more that three percent.
(This information furnished by Mike Dugan,
Deschutes County District Attorney.) SUMMARY: This measure may be passed only at an elec-
tion with at least 50 percent voter turnout. The taxes needed
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR for five years total$7,500,which will be imposed in equal
amounts of$1,500 each year. The tax revenue from this
Over 60%of all Sheriff's operations are funded by the Sheriff's measure will be used to operate the Ponderosa Pines Spe-
levy which expires June 30th of this year. cial Road District at its current level of service:
On March 14,2001,a county-wide hiring freeze for all county • Road Grading and Surfacing with Rock
general fund positions took effect. Since January 2001, the . Snow Plowing
Sheriff's Office has had to leave ten critical public safety posi-
tions empty.The proposed levy will restore those critical pub- . Safety and Traffic6ontrol Signs - - - -
lic safety positions and lift the county-wide hiring freeze. • District Insurance
The proposed Sheriff's levy does not increase your tax rate. • Operating Expenses of the Road District Board
The rate is the same as the current Sheriff's levy passed three When the District was formed,the Board,with advice from
years ago,even though the cost of providing Sheriff's services Deschutes County,determined the tax rate to be$1.0469
and the number of people in need of the services has increased. per$1000 of assessed value. This estimate included prop-
This is not a new tax. erty along Rim Road that is NOT part of the district. After
Property owners in the unincorporated areas of Deschutes removing the Rim Road properties from the District, the
County,not city residents,pay for Sheriff's patrols and investi- District's remaining property value resulted in less tax rev-
gative services at the additional rate of thirty-four cents per enue for the district. This revised revenue is about$1500
thousand.The actual cost of patrol and investigative services less than the District needs. The proposed local option
is supplemented by motel room tax paid by tourists and funds levy will provide revenues sufficient to meet road improve-
from state and federal agencies. ment, snow removal, and safety issues. These services
Deschutes County's population continues to increase. Adult are provided to residents within the boundary of the Pon-
jail beds have increased from 48 to 225 since 1993. The derosa Pines East Special Road District.
Sheriff's Office operates the only adult jail for all enforcement
agencies in Deschutes County.Statewide,voters have passed EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
crime measures that lock up more offenders. Sixty-two cents When the Ponderosa Pines East Special Road District was
of the levy amount is used to operate the jail. formed,the Board,with advice from Deschutes County,deter-
In the past, voters in Deschutes County have helped keep mined the rate needed for the road district's goals to be$1.0469
Deschutes County as a wonderful place to live,work and play per$1000 of assessed value.This rate of$1.0469 per$1000
in the past.Your vote is again needed. of assessed value is the permanent rate and can only be
changed through approval by a vote the people of the State of
(This information furnished by Tom DeWolf, Chair, Oregon in a statewide election.
Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.)
The base map boundary establishing the district was drawn
wrong and included property along Rim Road that is NOT part
of the road district. After removing the Rim Road properties
_frzm1hQ Ponderosa Pines _Ea3 Bpgcial Road Distri t _
Deschutes County reassessed the Road District's property
values.This reassessment resulted in less tax revenue for the
district.The revised revenue is about$1500 per year less
than the Road District needs.
Road District expenditures are anticipated to exceed tax rev-
enues in the near future due to increased costs for snow plow-
ing, district insurance,surface rock, road grading,and higher
fuel costs.The proposed five-year local option tax will provide
revenues sufficient to meet road improvement,snow removal,
and safety issues for the near future.
(This information furnished by Edwin A.Brown, Chair,
Board of Directors of the Ponderosa Pines East
Special Road District.)
NO ARGUMENTS AGAINST THIS MEASURE NO ARGUMENTS FOR OR AGAINST
WERE FILED THIS MEASURE WERE FILED
3
Official Deschutes County May 15,2001 Special Election Voten'M5Ehlet
SISTERS SCHOOL DISTRICT #6
Measure No. 9-97
BALLOT TITLE dia center, cafeteria,gym and laboratories are already inad-
equate for high school use.However,the building is well suited
9-97 SISTERS SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.6,GENERAL OB- for middle school use.
LIGATION BOND AUTHORIZATION. Community surveys indicate a desire to solve long-term stu-
QUESTION:Shall the District be authorized to issue gen- dent classroom needs.The plan is to convert the current high
eral obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding school to a middle school and build a new high school.A de-
$20,500,000?If the bonds are approved,they will be pay- tailed cost study has shown that over the next ten years this
able from taxes on property or property ownership that are will be the most economic and efficient method of solving the
not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11 b,Article XI of problem for the Sisters community.
the Oregon Constitution. WHEN:
SUMMARY:This measure may be passed only at an elec- If approved, the plan calls for the conversion of the existing
tion with at least a 50%voter turnout.If approved,this mea- High School to a Middle School and the completion of a new
sure provides funds to the District to finance the costs of High School by September,2003.
capital construction and capital improvements, including, HOW MUCH:
but not limited to, providing funds to: This Bond measure will total$20,500,000 and will cost prop-
• Capital construction of a comprehensive high school erty taxpayers an estimated$1.49 per thousand of assessed
and related facilities; value.That amounts to a cost of about$12.42 per month(or
• Capital remodeling project of current high school $149 per year)per$100,000 of property value.With growth,
to serve as a middle school; the tax rate is projected to drop over the 21-year life of the
• Capital improvements equipping, renovating, and Bond. New homes and businesses will pay a significant por-
furnishing the district's schools; tion of this Bond, reducing taxes for all other property own-
ers,as well.
• Capital improvements for infrastructure develop- (This information furnished by Janet M. Cruikshank,
ment, such as roads, sewer, and other utility con- Sisters School District.)
nections;
• Purchase of property or reimbursement to District ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
for the purchase of property. As an owner of a small business,I am often confronted by a
• Refund District costs for architectural design, land choice between quality and price. I end up compromising my
use planning,traffic study, and other similar costs wish list or my pocket book.
associated with District building projects;and Once in a great while, the best choice is also the least ex-
• Pay bond issuance costs. pensive choice.When that happens, I sit up and take notice.
• If final costs are less than the Bond amount, the This is our opportunity here.
difference will be used to reduce the bonded in- Building a high school now is better for everyone.It is better
debtedness. for our Middle School and High School students who will have
The Bonds will mature in 21 years or less. modern facilities with room to grow.Our elementary kids ben-
efit because if we outgrow our current facilities there,we have
enough room to move the 5th graders into the converted middle
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT school It is better for our community, because we will have
SISTERS SCHOOLS GENERALOBLIGATIONBONDMEASURE more ball fields and gym space,which are always in high de-
mand.The new high school auditorium will also be nicer than
WHAT: our current"cafetorium".
The Sisters School Board has developed a Bond measure that Building a new high school benefits everybody. That's not
proposes to construct a new High School,and convert the cur- surprising.What is surprising is that this best option is our least
rent High School to a Middle School.The project will: expensive option.
• Provide for retirement of the inadequate Middle School You can't squeeze a major addition on the old Middle School
Building property,and I still think that would be like painting the Titanic.
• Provide for growth in student numbers throughout the Dis- We have to build something.Sure,we could build just a Middle
trict School now for a few million less. And then what, hope that
people stop moving here?With the new sewer and new Bevel-
• Provide meaningful instruction space for Middle School opments, I don't think so.We will end up having to expand the
and High School High School in four or five years, and the cost of that expan-
• Provide renovation,sewer,roads and other utilities to the sion coupled with the new Middle School would be more than
District's schools just building a new High School now.
WHY: So, there you have it. Our best option is also our least ex-
The Board has reviewed the growth of the Sisters community pensive option.Join me in voting Yes.
and its impact on the number of students.They have also stud- (This information furnished by Bob Grooney.)
ied the condition and size of our current school buildings.The ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
existing Middle School is over capacity. The High School is
nearing capacity. The Sisters School District is confronted by two problems:a
The current Middle School is old,crowded and inadequate. It middle school that has to be replaced and steady growth in
is a collection of several building and additions built over the the student population that will soon overcrowd the high school.
past 72 years.Students lack sufficient classroom,locker room, Our plan solves both problems, and it is the least expensive
restroom, playing fields,library and cafeteria space. option.
The number of high school students is continually increasing. The current middle school is a patchwork of several build-
The current building will be inadequate for high school use in Continued on next page.
less than five years. Portions of the building,such as the me-
4
Official Deschutes County May 15,2001 Special Election Voters'f.yJaklp t
SISTERS SCHOOL DISTRICT #6
Measure No. 9-97
Continued from previous page.
ings and additions built over the past 72 years. It was never
intended to function as a middle school. There is more to a
school than just classrooms.The kitchen,cafeteria,gym,locker
rooms,bathrooms,hallways,music room,computer room,and
library are all too small. It would be absurdly expensive to try
to fix and expand all of these components, and there isn't
enough room on that piece of property for a major expansion.
Thus,fixing and expanding the current middle school is not an
option.
Similarly,just expanding the current high school is also not
an option.From an educational and social standpoint,6th,7th,
and 8th graders really shouldn't be in the same facility as high
school students.Given the growth at the middle and high school
levels, we would have to do a huge, expensive expansion to
accommodate both student populations in one building. The
infrastructure of the current high school couldn't handle that
many students.
Just building a new middle school would be a short-sighted
plan that would cost more in the long run.While we could build
a 500 student middle school for about$7 million less,we would
have to spend over$9 million to expand the current high school
in four to six years. We will save at least$2 million dollars by
building a high school now.
By building a new high school now,we save money and end
up with better facilities,with more flexibility and room for growth.
This is the right choice for our children and for our community.
Please join us in voting Yes.
(This information furnished by Glen J. Lasken,
Sisters School Board.)
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Thanks to the Sisters School Board!
When the November bond lost by such a narrow margin I
am sure you were tempted to try the same thing in March.
Thanks for resisting that temptation and instead taking the time
to reexamine all your assumptions and conclusions.
Thanks for considering building just a middle school. This
was the first choice for some of us, and we appreciate your
taking the time to examine this option closely.
Thanks for sticking with the plan to build a new high school.
This means you won't be asking for another bond in a few
years when the high school is over crowded. You are being
visionary for our district,and not just taking the easy way out.
Thanks for hiring architects who helped you refine your plans.
Theu„inp p dyouzhave$1,500,000 off the bond proposal
from last November. I like saving money.
Thanks for hiring architects who have consistently built
schools on time and under budget.
Thanks for pledging to return money to us by paying off the
bond debt with any money saved by coming in under budget.
Thanks for taking out a loan on the old Lundgren Mill prop-
erty to fix the old high school now.This way we don't have to
pay any additional taxes to fix it. None of the bond money will
be used for it, and it gets taken care of now before it gets
worse.This is the best use I can think of for that property.
Thanks for going to the trouble of sending questionnaires to
every home in Sisters. I like the idea that you care what we all
think. I like the idea that you listen to us by sticking with the
high school plan, reducing the cost, and giving us a lot more
detail on what kind of a school we will get.
I repay all of these thanks with a YES vote.
(This information furnished by May Fan, M.D.)
NO ARGUMENTS AGAINST THIS MEASURE
WERE FILED
5
OFFICIAL BALLOT DROP SITE LOCATIONS
Special drop sites are available at the following locations.
Please note the dates and times they will be open.
BEND
DESCHUTES COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
1340 NW Wall Street, Bend
Available 7 days a week. Election Day, May 15th open until 8:00 p.m. Privacy Booths Provided.
DRIVE-BY DROP SITE
1340 NW Wall Street, Bend
Available Friday, May 11th, from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Election Day, May 15th from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
DESCHUTES COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT (NEW SITE)
61150 SE 27th Street, Bend
Available Friday, May 11th from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Election Day, May 15th from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
WELCOME CENTER
63085 N Highway 97, Bend
Available Monday, May 14th from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
LA PINE
NEW FOR LA PINE: DRIVE-BY DROP SITE
LA PINE PUBLIC LIBRARY (PARKING AREA)
16425 First Street, La Pine (corner of 1 st St. & Huntington Road)
Available Friday, May 11th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
REDMOND
NEW FOR REDMOND: DRIVE-BY DROP SITE
REDMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY (PARKING AREA)
827 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond
Available Friday, May 11th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Monday, May 14th from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
REDMOND CITY HALL
716 SW Evergreen Avenue, Redmond
Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m.
until 8:00 p.m.
SISTERS
SISTERS CITY HALL
150 N. Fir Street, Sisters
Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m.
until 8:00 p.m.
SUNRIVER
SUNRIVER AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY
56855 Venture Ln., Sunriver(Sunriver Business Park)
Available Monday, May 14th from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Election Day, May 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00
p.m. Privacy Booth Provided.
REMEMBER!
All ballots must be received at a drop site or the Deschutes County
Clerk's Office no later than 8:OOP.M., May 15, 2001 .
6