TO THE COUNCIL:
I am pleased to submit for your consideration and acceptance Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and the Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report.
The purpose of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report is to summarize and share the status and achievements, as well as provide transparency, of the five-year 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy) implementation in FY 2023-24. In FY 2023-24, the third of five years of the Parks Levy, PP&R has continued to deliver on all fifteen commitments made to Portland voters on the November 2020 ballot.
The Parks Levy Oversight Committee is composed of 5 members of the public and reviews Parks Levy program implementation, advises on transparency and communication strategies, and received the final independent audit report in FY 2023-24. The Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report is a response to PP&R’s actions in Year 3 and the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report, and focuses on adherence to the ballot language, fiscal accountability, and transparency.
Both the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and the Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report have been shared electronically in accessible formats on the Parks Levy and Parks Levy Oversight Committee webpages. The Executive Summary of the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report, as well as the full Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report, will be made available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and English.
PP&R and the Parks Levy Oversight Committee will continue to report back on an annual basis to present the progress made on the Parks Levy. We are grateful that the voters have prioritized maintaining neighborhood parks, improving access and safety, providing equitable recreation programs, proactively caring for natural areas and Portland’s urban forest, and more. We look forward to celebrating with the community as they continue to see more results of their investment made possible by Parks Levy funding.
Thank you,
Claire Flynn, Levy Coordinator
Exhibits and Attachments
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report
- The purpose of this report is to review and share with the public the current status and achievements, as well as ensure transparency, of the five-year 2020 Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy). In Year 3 of the five-year Parks Levy, PP&R has transparently tracked the use of Parks Levy funding and implemented new programs, enhanced maintenance, and deeper partnerships for successful delivery of Parks Levy-funded services in subsequent years.
- Portland voters passed the Parks Levy in November 2020 for implementation beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22. In Year 3 of the Parks Levy, FY 2023-24, operating community centers, pools, and facilities were able to remain open for community use and programming while significantly growing financial assistance use. Maintenance services increased in parks and natural areas. Expanded community partnerships helped reach diverse and underserved communities. PP&R is making progress on all fifteen commitments listed in the Parks Levy ballot measure.
- In accordance with the ballot commitment to conduct an independent performance audit, PP&R completed a mid-point performance audit of the Parks Levy in Year 3 to evaluate whether the Parks Levy funds are being spent in a manner that adheres to the ballot language, the Parks Levy is operating in a fiscally responsible manner, and the existing documentation systems are in place, transparent, and functioning well. The audit was completed in December 2024 and had no findings or recommendations, stating that PP&R had used Parks Levy funding in line with voter commitments, and had good tracking systems and processes in place.
Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report
- The Parks Levy’s explanatory statement committed that, “A community oversight committee will be appointed to review levy expenditures and to report annually to City Council.”
- The Parks Levy Oversight Committee is composed of five members, selected from an open public applicant pool, appointed by the PP&R Director. The committee meets quarterly and reviews program implementation, advises on transparency and communication strategies, and will counsel on the independent audit process.
- Per the Parks Levy Oversight Committee’s Charter, the committee presents their own annual report to City Council of committee activities including on adherence to Parks Levy language, fiscal accountability, and transparency.
- This report is a response to PP&R’s 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and PP&R’s actions in Year 3 of the Parks Levy.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There are no financial or budgetary impacts directly resulting from the presentation of these reports. In Fiscal Year 2023-24, PP&R spent $51,215,619.18 of the fiscal year’s $52,470,797.41 million in Parks Levy revenue.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Not applicable.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
The commitments made in the voter pamphlet, and tracked in the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report, were developed with community input and approved by Portland voters. Ballot measure language included a focus on prioritizing services for communities of color and households experiencing poverty and on providing services to diverse populations, communities of color, seniors, teens, households experiencing poverty, immigrants and refugees, and people living with disabilities. In addition, as part of the Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland framework, PP&R has committed to centering the voices and the needs of underserved communities, specifically Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQIA+ people, youth, older adults, people with disabilities, and people living with low incomes; this expands upon the ballot language of the Parks Levy.
Both the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report and the Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report are available on the PP&R website with accessible text and translation services. The Executive Summary from the 2023-24 Parks Levy Annual Report, and the full Parks Levy Oversight Committee Annual Report, will be translated into Portland’s four most common languages. All online reports will be available as an accessible PDF. Year 1 and 2 reports are also currently available online.
Parks Levy Oversight Committee members are members of the public and are invited to present their report to City Council. Parks Levy Oversight Committee meetings are also open to the public, and meeting notes are posted on the Parks Levy Oversight Committee website.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Financial and Budget Analysis
This action has no fiscal impact, as it shares the annual report on the Parks Levy and an accompanying report from the Oversight Committee.