2025-41-Resolution No. 2025-002 Recorded 2/11/2025REVIEWED
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Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2025-4�1
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
LEGAL COUNSEL
Commissioners' Journal 02/11 /2025 9:2.7:34 AM
II I I I II II Il II I II I II I I I III
2025-41
as
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
AS THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE BLACK BUTTE RANCH SERVICE DISTRICT
A Resolution Submitting to the Electors in the
Black Butte Ranch Service District an Election on * RESOLUTION NO. 2025-002
a Five -Year Local Option Levy to Fund Law
Enforcement Services
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Black Butte Ranch Service District ("Governing
Body'), has determined that a five-year levy should be submitted to the qualified electors of the Black
Butte Ranch Service District ("District) as established by Section 11, Article XI of the Oregon
Constitution in order to permit the proper operation of the District; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body considers adequate funding to maintain law enforcement
services in the District as necessary and in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body finds that anticipated revenues are insufficient to provide
adequate services without the funds generated by a special tax levy; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body determines that a levy with $0.78 per $1,000 of assessed
value levied within the District is necessary to maintain current service levels; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to submit the question of authorizing a five-year levy to the
registered electors of the District, now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DESCHUTES
COUNTY, OREGON, as the GOVERNING BODY OF THE BLACK BUTTE RANCH SERVICE
DISTRICT, as follows:
Section 1. Findings. The Governing Body makes the findings set forth in Exhibit "A,"
attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein.
Section 2. Form of Question. The County Clerk shall submit to the registered electors of
Black Butte Ranch Service District, Deschutes County, Oregon, for their approval or rejection, the
measure set forth in Exhibit "B," attached hereto and by this reference incorporated herein.
Section 3. Date of Election. The measure set forth in Exhibit "B" shall be submitted in the
manner prescribed herein to the qualified electors of the District, at the election to be held May 20,
2025.
PAGE 1 OF 2 — RESOLUTION NO.2025-002 (02/05/2025)
Section 4. Ballots. The County Clerk shall clearly and boldly print the words
"CONTAINS VOTE ON PROPOSED TAX INCREASE" in red ink on the outer envelope of ballots
to be mailed to registered electors.
Dated this of February, 2025 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON, as the
GOVERNING BODY OF THE BLACK BUTTE
RANCH SERVICE DISTRICT
ATTEST:
Recording Secretary
Azao;�,�-
ANTHONY DeBONE, Chair
ya&�: /''Jam
P TTI ADAIR, Vice Chair
PHIL CHANG, Commissioner
PAGE 2 OF 2 — RESOLUTION NO.2025-002 (02/05/2025)
EXHIBIT "A"
ARGUMENT
The current assessed value of Black Butte Ranch is $781,675,246. The District's current tax levy has a
cap of $1.0499 per $1,000 assessed value. In 2010 the electors approved a local option levy of $.55 per
$1000 of assessed value. The electors renewed the five-year levy in 2015, and in 2020 approved a
five-year levy at $.65 per $1000 assessed value. The five-year levy approved in 2020 expires June 30,
2025. State law limits increases in assessed valuation to 3% per year. In addition, the assessed value of
houses that are upgraded by remodeling may go up more than 3% and newly constructed houses are
added to the tax base. Since Black Butte Ranch is nearly built out, assessed values are limited to 3%
plus an amount based on remodels and new construction. The expected increase in assessed value is
anticipated to be approximately 3.40% per year. Once the current local option levy expires this year,
revenues would no longer cover operating expenses at current service levels.
In addition, the District is currently negotiating a two year contract with the police officer's
union and is operating under the status quo from the 5 year contract that expires on June 30, 2025. By
state law, police are not allowed to strike, but in return, they must be compensated commensurate with
other departments of similar size located in similarly populated communities. A new contract based
upon an increase in compensation levels would increase the cost of operations. It can be reasonably
assumed that officer compensation costs will increase for many reasons including recruitment,
retention, and collective bargaining. Increasing tax revenues through a local option levy at $0.78 per
$1000 of assessed value is necessary in order for the department to provide 20-hour police patrols, 7
days a week.
Approximately 200 of the 1251 home sites are occupied year round. That leaves 1050 vacant
homes during much of the year. Vacant homes are vulnerable to theft, burglary or persons who
unlawfully take up residence and occupy them. The police department is responsible for monitoring
and enfnrrinthRan�.h Rileanntheq-7 of ife iCv7ieC that may uricie i0e id.l
including fuoughout the y'%ar
access control.
The District's population is aging and its patrol officers are usually first on the scene in the
event of a medical emergency. They are equipped with, and are trained to use, defibrillators which may
be needed by a resident placing an emergency call. During the busy months, Black Butte Ranch also
has many children using its recreational facilities and a police presence is necessary to discourage
those who may harm these children.
Since approximately 75% of the District budget relates to payroll items, if revenues are not
increased, a reduction in personnel may be necessary. Currently the District provides 20-hour patrols,
7-days per week, but if this levy does not pass, there may be additional periods of time when no officer
is on duty. A reduction of police presence on The Ranch might result in unacceptable delays in
response time and increased risk of injury to persons and property.
Passage of the tax measure would enable the District to maintain current patrol levels, and
current levels of security service on behalf of Black Butte Ranch homeowners, guests and their
property.
Submitted by
Black Butte Ranch Service District Managing Board
Exhibit "A" -Page 1 of 1-Resolution 2025-002 (02/5/2025)
EXHIBIT "B"
Notice Of District Measure Election
Date of Election - May 20, 2025
Caption - Black Butte Ranch Service District Five -Year Local Option Levy
Question - Shall the District levy a five-year local option tax at $0.78 per
$1,000 for operations starting in 2025-2026?
This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
Summary - The Black Butte Ranch Service District will use revenue from
this five-year local option tax to maintain current service levels. The Black
Butte Service District's current yearly revenue increases are approximately
3-3.5% per year. Approving the proposed rate will generate approximately
$651,872 in 2025-2026, approximately $674,035 in 2026-2027,
approximately $696,952 in 2027-2028, approximately $720,649 in 2028-
2029, and approximately $745,151 in 2029,.2030. The total amount of tax to
be raised by this measure is approximately $3,488,659. On a $500,000
home, the assessment will be $32.50 per month or $390 per year. The
estimated tax cost for this measure is an ESTIMATE ONLY based on the
best information available from the county assessor at the time of the
estimate.
Exhibit "B"-Page 1 of 1-Resolution 2025-002 (02/5/2025)
MEETING DATE: February 5, 2025
SUBJECT: Public Hearing and consideration of Resolution No. 2025-002 submitting to the
electors in the Black Butte Ranch Service District a proposal for a new five-year
local option levy to fund law enforcement services
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
First, hold a public hearing. Thereafter, consider Resolution No. 2025-002 submitting to the
electors in the Black Butte Ranch Service District an election on a new five-year local option
levy to fund law enforcement services. [Note: Actions undertaken as the governing body of
the Black Butte Ranch Service District.]
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The District would use the revenue from the five-year local option tax to maintain current law
enforcement service levels.
Passage of this measure would not require a 50 percent voter turnout.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
If the measure is approved by the electors, the District will have authority for five years to
levy $0.78/per $1,000 of assessed value to maintain current levels of law enforcement
services.
ATTENDANCE:
BBR Police Chief
County Legal