Willamalane has referred a measure to the May 19, 2026, ballot. If passed, the measure would authorize a new property tax that would help pay for current park and recreation operations, including park safety, recreation programs, and wildfire prevention efforts.
This is the first time the district has sought a local option levy to fund general operations since the permanent tax rate was established in 1997.
the proposed levy would cost property owners $0.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at $196,803 would pay $4.10 per month or $49.20 per year. The property tax would continue for five years and raise a total of $8,427,029. Annual independent audits, monthly reporting, and expenditures would be reviewed by the board and budget committee.
If passed, the proposed levy would maintain:
Trash pickup and reduction of illegal dumping
Ranger patrols to improve park safety
Parks and natural area maintenance
Removal of dead, down, overgrown vegetation and brush
Protection of wildlife habitat and water quality
Safe public river and pool access for recreation
Affordable summer camps and preschool
Recreation and wellness programs for seniors
Community events
Daily restroom cleaning
Recreation facility and pool hours
Programs and services would not be provided as proposed, and property taxes would not be increased. The district would reduce its budget by approximately 10%. In that case, the district would evaluate options through its standard budget process with ongoing communication to staff.
To learn more about this levy, please visit willamalane.org/levy.
Willamalane’s informational campaign provides details about the measure so voters can make an informed decision regarding the levy. The district does not encourage employees to support or oppose the measure. These guidelines are designed to clearly communicate legal and district policies, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities when discussing the levy.
A public employee may not, while on the job during working hours, promote or oppose election petitions, candidates, political committees, or ballot measures. No person may require a public employee to do so.
Additionally, district resources, including facilities, email, social media, printing, vehicles, uniforms, and work time, may not be used to advocate for or oppose the levy.
These guidelines apply to all Willamalane employees and appointed committee members, including full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary staff, when working or representing the district. The “while on the job” designation includes scheduled work hours, anytime a Willamalane uniform or badge is worn, staffing programs or facilities, attending meetings in an official capacity, or using district equipment or accounts.
Note: Unions may distribute political materials to their members pursuant to their contract. This activity is separate from district communications and does not reflect the district’s position.
What You Can Do While Working
Share that Willamalane has a five-year levy on the May 19 ballot
Direct people to more information at willamalane.org/levy
Share that if passed, the estimated cost would be an additional $4 per month ($49 per year) for property owners
Share that the purpose of the levy would be to provide funding for park maintenance, recreation programs, and wildfire risk reduction
Distribute impartial, informational materials in the same manner as schedules or program flyers
Impartially advise employees about the possible outcomes of the measure
Factually and impartially answer levy-related questions while on the job
What You Cannot Do While Working
Encourage a yes or no vote
Advocate for or against the levy in any way
Share personal opinions about the levy
Use persuasive language about the levy
Highlight only benefits without context
Distribute advocacy or pro-levy campaign materials
Announce Willamalane’s position on a political item
Collect funds to advocate for a political position
Grant unequal access to public facilities based on political position
Supervisors may not direct other public employees to participate in political activities
If someone asks me about the levy while I’m working, what can I share?
Willamalane has a proposed levy on the May 19 ballot. If passed, it would provide funding for park maintenance, recreation programs, and wildfire risk reduction. The district has information available at willamalane.org/levy.
What should I say if someone asks whether they should vote yes?
As a Willamalane employee, I can’t tell people how to vote. I can provide impartial information about the levy and its impact and point you to resources where you can learn more.
Can I share my personal opinion about the levy?
While working or representing Willamalane, staff may not share personal opinions about the levy. Off work, on personal time, you may express personal opinions using personal devices and social media accounts. Do not identify yourself by your Willamalane job title, which may imply you are speaking on behalf of the district. When participating in political activity on their personal time, public employees may state that they are acting solely in their personal capacity and do not represent their employer's views.
Can I post about the levy on social media?
On personal accounts, devices, and outside work hours, you may post about the levy on social media and share your personal opinions. While doing so, you should not use your Willamalane title or suggest that you speak for the district. This is consistent with Willamalane’s social media policy.
What if someone criticizes the levy or gets upset?
Stay calm and respectful, and let them know the district has information available that explains the proposal and what it would fund.
What should I do if a reporter or media outlet contacts me?
Immediately refer them to Whitney Hoshaw. If unavailable, please contact another member of the communications team or Michael Wargo directly. This is consistent with Willamalane’s media policy.
Will there be a "vote yes" campaign? Can I participate in or volunteer for the cause?
Because this levy will be on the ballot, it is common for community members to form an independent campaign to support it. If that happens, it will be entirely separate from the district. Once a campaign exists, information about it will be public. Staff who are interested may seek that information on their own, outside of work, just as any community member would.
Attention All Public Employees
The restrictions imposed by the law of the State of Oregon on your political activities are that:
No public employee shall solicit any money, influence, service or other thing of value or otherwise promote or oppose any political committee; promote or oppose the appointment, nomination or election of a person to a public office; or promote or oppose the filing of or gathering of signatures on an initiative, referendum or recall petition or the adoption of a measure or the recall of a public office holder while on the job during working hours or while otherwise acting in the public employee’s official capacity as a public employee. However, this section does not restrict the right of a public employee to express personal political views, provided that a reasonable person would not infer that the views represent those of the public employer of the public employee.
It is therefore the policy of the state and of your public employer that you may engage in political activity except to the extent prohibited by state law when on the job during working hours or while otherwise working in your official capacity as a public employee.