Local Government Glossary

Allocate

To set aside funds for a specific purpose or project. Local governments allocate funds during the budgeting process.

Annexation

The legal process of extending municipal boundaries and adding territory to a city or town

Assessed Value

A property's assessed value (AV) is the value of property subject to taxation. In Oregon, the AV is the lower of its real market value or its maximum assessed value.

Bond

A way to repay borrowed money with interest. Local governments use bonds to pay for large projects such as infrastructure, parks, or libraries.

Capital Improvements

acquiring, expanding, or substantively improving major tangible items like land, buildings, or expensive equipment

Chamber of Commerce

a group of business people formed to promote business interests in the community

Charter

the document defining how a city or town is to be governed and giving it legal authority to act as a local government

Citizens Academy

civic education program facilitated by local government(s) for the purpose of informing and building positive relationships with residents and encouraging civic engagement

City Hall

Your City Hall is the physical building where the city offices are located, as well as the people delivering your services. When we say "contact city hall", we just mean contact your local government employees.

Civic Engagement

learning how and working to make a positive difference in the civic life of your community through political and nonpolitical efforts

Comprehensive Plan

A Comprehensive Plan is your city's plan for future development of residential, commercial, industrial, and public activities. The Comprehensive Plan outlines your communities vision for the future layout and landscape of the city. It includes a statement of the values and mission of your community.

Oregon State Law requires your city adopts a comprehensive plan. You can learn more about Oregon's Statewide planning goals at the State of Oregon's website.

County

A subdivision of a state that provides direct public services to residents such as health services, animal welfare, veterans services, elections, marriage licenses, libraries, building regulations, community corrections and much more. Learn more about Oregon counties.

Economic Development

Activities that support business growth and retention and support new job growth.

Expenditure

Money that is spent for a project or service.

Fiscal Year

The period used by the government for budgeting, taxing, and maintaining financial records. Most local governments use a 12-month period (annual) to budget services, but some cities budget services for 2 years (biennial).

Floodplain

A floodplain is an area of low lying and nutrient rich land that is subject to flooding after heavy storms or snowfall. Floodplains have restrictions on development based on severity or likelihood of flooding. View your communities flood map and areas of high risk flooding.

Form of government

A form of government is your city's governing and legal structure. Most municipalities have an elected mayor and elected city council members. Some cities have a professional manager appointed by the council to manage the day-to-day operations of a city. Examples of forms of government for municipalities include Strong Mayor, Weak Mayor, and Council-Manager. You can learn more at icma.org.

General Obligation Bond

A type of bond approved by voters that local governments use to pay for capital projects (infrastructure, streets, new facility projects). These bonds are backed by the "full faith and credit" of the government to repay its debt.

Infrastructure

The physical foundation of a community, including local roads, bridges, railroads, transit facilities, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, buildings (e.g. schools, city buildings, parks, court houses).

Maximum Assessed Value

The taxable value limit established for each property in Oregon.

Municipality

A city, town, or village that has an organized government with authority to make laws, provide services, and collect and spend taxes and other public funds

Ordinance

Another word for law. Ordinances are local laws adopted by your municipality. Your community has a Code of Ordinances available online that includes all of the laws of your city.

Planning Commission

A group that reviews and approves land use permits and requests. In some communities this is performed by a commission, while other cities have planning departments that review land use requests.

Public Records

Most government records like documents or emails belong to the people and must be freely available and accessible to the public. Oregon's Public Records Law provides information on how to request and access public records.

Property Tax

A tax based on a portion of the assessed value of real (buildings and land) or personal (all other tangible) property

Property Tax Base

The total assessed value of all taxable property

Property Tax Rate

A percentage of the assessed value of property that determines how much tax is due for that property

Real Market Value

The price your property would sell for in a transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller.

System Development Charge

One-time charges applied to new developments to help offset the impact of development.

Tax base

The total amount of assets or income in a community that can be taxed

User Fee

A fee charged to use a public facility or service. Examples include parking fees or highway or bridge tolls.

Watershed

An area that drains water into a stream or lake. Watersheds can be used as a source of drinking water for municipalities.

Urban Growth Boundary

Every city in Oregon has an Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). This area designates where the city is expected to grow over the next 20 years. The boundary is the land use planning tool to control urban sprawl. UGBs are used to protect land, agriculture, natural resources, and open space. You can read more here.

Urban Renewal Agency

Urban Renewal Agencies (URAs) are separate municipal corporations that are formed to fund development and redevelopment of underutilized areas in a community. URAs are created by ordinance and are often located in downtowns or central areas. In many Oregon communities, city council members also serve as board members of URAs. You can learn more about how URAs are funded at the State of Oregon's website or by contacting your city manager.