2020 Parks Levy Oversight Committee (PLOC) Meeting May 2026

Year 5, Meeting 4

Agenda

Attending

2020 Oversight Committee Members –

• Jacob Van Baalen
• Mary Ruble
• Silas Sanderson
• Tim Williams, not in attendance (meeting materials shared)

Youth Liaison – Samantha Harder, not in attendance (meeting materials shared)

Parks Board Liaison – Andre Buenacosa

PP&R and City Staff –

• Sonia Schmanski | Interim PP&R Director
• Sarah Huggins | Sustainable Future Program Manager
• Claudio Campuzano | Finance, Property & Technology Manager
• Amanda Manjarrez | Policy Strategies & System Improvement Manager
• Claire Flynn | Parks Levy Coordinator

Members of the Public –

• None

Claire Flynn, Levy Coordinator, welcomed participants and lead the group through an icebreaker.

Year 5 Financials to Date

Claudio Campuzano, Finance, Property & Technology Manager, shared an overview of finances for FY 2025-26 to the latest accounting period, effectively three-quarters of the year. In general, spending is on track and the 2020 Parks Levy is still on track to land, at the end of its fifth and final year, with underspending (i.e. less transfer than budgeted) of $2M for the fiscal year. PP&R saw an increase in Intergovernmental Revenue in FY 2025-26 because of the new Preschool for All allocation. Personnel costs are slightly above projections but are balance with materials and services being slightly below.

• Mary Ruble clarified that the $2.7M in Intergovernmental Revenue was for Preschool for All, not the compression transfer for the Children's Levy.
  • Claudio confirmed that all PP&R preschool is now funded by Preschool for All and reimbursed from the County, a net gain to PP&R for the $2.7M and programming. The funding also allowed PP&R to absorb a General Fund reduction in FY 2024-25 without seeing a decline in service.
• Mary also asked about the $545K in fund transfers under the Parks Levy fund and why is was lower than previous years.
  • Claudio clarified that the large, year-end Parks Levy transfer has not yet occurred and that the small amount may be for General Fund overhead or for Children's Levy compression. He shared he would follow up on the exact expense. The remainder of the transfer that is budgeted for FY 2025-26 ($75M) is for the year-end reimbursement to the General Fund for Parks Levy-eligible expenses.
• Mary asked if there will be money left in the levy fund at the end of FY 2025-26 that could flow into future years.
  • Claudio noted that we started FY 2025-26 with a fund balance of $36.4M, have generated approximately $48M in new revenue, and will be transferring about $75M from levy to General Fund. PP&R anticipates a beginning fund balance for FY 2026-27 of around $10-12M (budgeted ending balance for FY 2025-26 is $8.3 million, plus the underspending for FY 2025-26 of about $2 million).
• Silas Sanderson noted that the licenses and permits in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 were significantly higher than FY 2025-26 and asked about the nature of that change.
  • Claudio shared that about $500,000 is held in the forecast annually but FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 were exceptions because of a large Pacific Power project that took park space out of use.
  • Silas asked what the category looked like prior to FY 2021-22, to compare to pre-COVID times. Claudio said he would pull that information for Silas.

The PLOC had no further questions.

FY 2025-27 Budget

Sarah Huggins, Sustainable Future Program Manager, gave a brief overview of what the 2025 Parks Levy was intended to do. The majority of the funding was for operations, projected to support more than 40% of bureau operations, to sustain FY 2025-26 operating service levels and sustaining things that were funded with one-time funding in the FY 2025-26 budget. $0.03 of the rate, about $2 million annually, is for capital maintenance. The resolution also included language about moving forward a long-term funding plan and advancing partnerships through a new position focused on partnerships and grant development.

When the rate was developed at $1.40, it assumed forecasted levy revenues, cost increases, and sustained General Fund levels. Since the 2025 Parks Levy passage, costs are forecasted as higher and General Fund levels as lower, meaning that PP&R had to prepare reduction packages.

Sonia Schmanski, Interim PP&R Director, presented an overview of PP&R reduction packages (using slides from the PP&R section of theApril 30 City Council Budget Work Session). PP&R aimed to preserve core City priorities and avoid immediate significant community impact.

• Daily care of parks and natural areas would see a $1.2M reduction and a cut of 3 of 38.2 positions across four budget packages. This reduces staff capacity for natural area and turf maintenance; reduces materials and services funds for natural area, landscaping, field and turf care by 10.5% and natural area management by 10%; reduces irrigation on lower-priority grassy areas from 5 to 3 days per week. Portlanders would see less maintenance activity in parks and natural areas, fewer materials to support maintenance activities and less irrigation for passive turf.
• Programming would be cut by $1.1M and 2.75 positions across 10 budget packages. They would close community centers on federal holidays, eliminate offerings such as private personal training, Senior Center project, summer programming at the Community Music Center, phase out mobile Free Lunch + Play, and eliminate one of 23 Free Lunch + Play sites. Splash pad hours will be reduced back to pre-2022 levels. Some community garden amenities will be eliminated, community garden fees will increase (discount eligible with the Access Discount), and support staffing for volunteers and permitting is reduced.
• Park and facility repair is reduced by $1.8M, cutting 3 vacant positions. Director's Office discretionary funds are eliminated, which have recently been used for unanticipated major repair needs. An off-hours response team is eliminated and external materials and supplies funds would be decreased by 18.3%. Repairs may take longer and there would be reduced capacity for maintenance of facility and park assets.
• Security and emergency response is reduced by $0.6M. Park Ranger and the Facility and Asset Security Team (FAST) capacity is preserved but contracted security at maintenance facilities is discontinued. External materials and services for studies and information to support repair and maintenance is reduced by 18%.
• Operational realignment and efficiency reduces the budget by $2.4M and 10.5 positions. Staffing structures at community centers will be aligned. A few central support positions are eliminated. Community centers would close one day a month in the off season to allow for meetings and trainings.
• New and alternative revenues will bring in $2.8M. The parking program and likely Preschool for All will expand and the Portland Tennis Center may be transferred over to the US Tennis Association. This would cut 5 positions, including all 4 at the Portland Tennis Center.
• Additional one-time gap closing of $4.8M will come from a drawdown of the Parks Memorial Fund ($0.8M) and assumed new resources for the North Portland Aquatic Center ($4.0M).

Sarah provided a brief update on the 2025 Parks Levy capital maintenance project process. PP&R is anticipating $1.8M for capital maintenance from the 2025 Parks Levy in FY 2026-27; this will likely average to around $2M per year over the five years. PP&R has gone to City Council members for guidance on how they want to receive the list of projects for their districts. Initial thoughts include potentially choosing a theme, like restroom repairs, across the city to maximize efficiency in project delivery. The PP&R Capital team is field scoping a short list of potential projects to validate conditions and confirm that repairs will have substantial impact beyond cosmetic improvements. The FY 2026-27 budget will likely have a placeholder for projects, with a true-up in the Fall Technical Adjustment Ordinance for specific projects.

PP&R asked for clarifying questions from the PLOC.

• Mary asked if there was any funding for long-term maintenance of the North Portland Aquatic Center.
  • Sonia shared that PP&R does not get anything beyond the current, roughly $5M annually from City Council for capital maintenance of the entirety of the parks system—plus now the roughly $2M a year from the 2025 Parks Levy.
  • Mary advocated that, as PP&R is looking at long-term financials, when major facilities are built, that an endowment is created for each of those facilities, dedicated to the facility. She added she thinks it's irresponsible of the City to build new facilities and not create endowments that would sustain the health of those facilities over the long run and that the PLOC might consider saying that in a budget letter.
• Jacob shared that the County is doing a similar centralization effort as the City and asked if the administrative positions being cut are all General Fund support (not levy-funded) since they are not direct service delivery, and how the administrative position reductions impact levy funding.
  • Sonia clarified that the positions called out in PP&R's FY 2026-27 budget reductions are not part of the larger core service realignment transition. A fair amount of the positions that are being eliminated that were outlined in the presentation are funded by both the General Fund and Parks Levy.
• Jacob asked about the certainty with Preschool for All with political uncertainty and if there is any continency plans around potential changes to that funding to ensure the service continues.
  • Sonia noted that Preschool for All funding is in a similar spot to other PP&R funding streams and that PP&R is increasingly leveraged on partnerships.
• Jacob asked if the capital maintenance theming of projects was well-received by City Council.
  • Sarah shared that the theme idea was presented by Councilors in early discussions and echoed by additional districts. Councilors haven't received the list of projects yet or selected a joint theme but they are interested in the efficiencies that comes from having a theme for the projects.
• Silas asked if there are other programs or activities that would be eligible for Preschool for All funding and if the current support from Preschool for All is going to existing programming or if new programming was created.
  • Sonia shared that PP&R directly provided preschool programming prior to Preschool for All. With Preschool for All, the Recreation team updated the model to become an official provider to both stabilize programming and make PP&R programming more familiar to Portland families. Additionally, it takes PP&R preschool off of the General Fund/Levy and brings County funds in to pay for it. PP&R is looking to expand by one seat per preschool classroom in FY 2026-27, without requiring additional staff.
• Mary asked if there were additional opportunities to direct Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) dollars to PP&R activities related to tree maintenance, fire mitigation, and other climate mitigation activities.
  • Claudio noted that most of PCEF is budgeted on an ongoing basis for Urban Forestry. In the past, PP&R has received some PCEF allocations for capital expenditures but most of the dollars have been for tree planting, tree maintenance, and street trees. There may be additional opportunities but it would be up to the Mayor, City Administrator, and PCEF to allocate additional dollars.
• Mary asked, with the budget reductions in the Mayor's Proposed, if the Parks Levy fulfills about 50% of the operating budget now.
  • Claudio shared that the operating budget does lean more than 50% on the Parks Levy in FY 2026-27 and clarified that he would follow up with specific numbers. That split is partially a function of the ongoing General Fund reduction and partially a one-time allocation related to the gap closing of $4.8M from a drawdown of the Parks Memorial Fund ($0.8M) and assumed new resources for the North Portland Aquatic Center ($4.0M). Claudio anticipate it slightly adjusting toward the 50% mark in future years.
    • Mary noted that the commitment made to voters was that Parks Levy would not backfill for General Fund and that it is important to be transparent about the impact of cutting General Fund and leaning on Parks Levy for support.
• Andre Buenacosa, Parks Board Liaison, asked if the partnership with USTA for the Portland Tennis Center was already contracted or if it is in an exploratory phase.
  • Sonia shared that PP&R and USTA are working on a contract and the budget for FY 2026-27 reflect a reduction in resources to operate Portland Tennis Center, anticipating that operations and programming would move to USTA at some point during the year and are moving toward a decision point in the next month or so. Operations may be paused for a period of time while USTA fixes the roof and would reopen with USTA programming later in the year.
  • Andre asked if the Access Discount program would still be honored with USTA, given that they are external to the City.
    • Sonia noted that programming would change but PP&R is discussing what access would look like and how to continue access in the partnership.
    • Andre shared that comparisons with the Vancouver Tennis Center shows access is more expensive and holding service and access levels are important for levy goals.

The PLOC had no additional questions.

Budget Discussion and Letter

Sonia gave an overview of new guidelines from the City Administrator limiting any bureau advocacy or shared communication strategy with advisory boards. The PLOC discussed topics to include in a letter to City Council.

• Jacob noted that topics that had come up already in the meeting included increased reliance on the Parks Levy with decreased General Fund support and maintenance for new facilities, including endowments as new projects come online.
• Mary shared that she strongly felt that the PLOC should write a letter given the support of the Parks Levy for the PP&R budget and the pattern of increased Parks Levy reliance.
• Silas agreed that the Parks Levy backfilling General Fund cuts was not the original intention of the levy.
• Andre asked if he could provide a copy of the Parks Board letter to the PLOC.
  • Sonia confirmed that the Parks Board letter could be shared and qualified that the Mayor's budget documents included information drafted by PP&R staff, not directly by the Mayor's office.
  • Andre also shared the process by which the Board wrote their letter—with one member drafting the letter and an ad hoc group of members reviewing. The letter reflected the sentiments of reductions versus maintaining service levels as promised to voters with the Parks Levy.
• Mary asked if staff limitations would apply to the annual report drafting process as well.
  • Claire speculated that the same restrictions would not apply, given the report is written outside of the budget cycle and looking at specific retrospective topics.
• Jacob encouraged the inclusion of how budget reductions impact City's political capital in asking for additional support of PP&R in the future. He asked about inclusion and thinking about long-term funding implications, including support of maintenance at the North Portland Aquatic Cetner.
• Mary clarified that the letter should be relatively short and mainly focus on levy-related issues, but that the City's fiscal responsibility, including in building new assets and taking care of them, is important to include.
  • Silas agreed with Mary and gave the example of a new skatepark, noting that full lifecycle costs should be accounted for in planning.
• Mary added that a positive note to include would be encouraging the theming for the 2025 Parks Levy capital maintenance projects and the value of that for the whole system versus siloed within districts.
• Jacob asked about a timeline for submitting a final letter.
  • Sonia shared that Council budget deliberations were schedule the week of May 18 but that budget conversations move quickly so submitting sooner is always better.
• Jacob also reiterated the ask for General Fund vs. Parks Levy amount over time, both prior actuals and forecasted beyond the FY 2026-27 budget.
• Claire shared that she could send along the publicly available prior budget letters and Councilor emails.

There was no additional discussion from the committee.

Access Discount Update

Amanda Manjarrez, Policy Strategies & System Improvement Manager, shared project goals and approach to updating the bureau Cost Recovery Policy and Access Discount program.

The bureau is required to follow the citywide FIN 2.06 fiscal management policy and also has a bureau Cost Recovery Policy, PRK 3.06, which was updated in 2023 to align with Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland and the 2020 Parks Levy language. To comply with Mayor Wilson's executive order requiring all City programs to comply with federal anti-discrimination law, the bureau's Cost Recovery Policy needs to be updated. Additionally, balancing the City's budget challenges and the 2025 Parks Levy language around continued free and discounted programs will require updated analysis and standard to apply moving forward.

Right now, the team is in a research and planning phase before moving into the policy development process, implementation, and evaluation. Amanda shared that collaboration and feedback will be core to the policy update. In this early stage, she asked for additional data, information, or baseline that would be helpful for stakeholders to have to provide feedback.

• Mary asked if data on current system realities would include facility capacity levels since limitations on facilities could direct how discounts are handled.
  • Amanda shared that it could include that, especially beyond more technical elements.
• Jacob asked if there was an assessment that the current Access Discount program is financially unsustainable.
  • Amanda noted that there is not currently a metric for this. Financial sustainability is one of the guiding principles for the policy update and could be part of a future evaluative structure.
• Sarah shared that part of the reason that Amanda and her team are looking closely at the Access Discount is because the PLOC expressed interest in digging into the program.
• Andre noted that it wouldbe interesting to see a customer journey map to see if people who stop using the Access Discount still use PP&R services.

There were no additional questions.

Updates

Claire shared an update of the recruitment for the 2025 Parks Levy Oversight Committee, noting that there would be a timeline overlap between the 2020 and 2025 committees as the 2020 committee wraps up reporting for FY 2025-26.

For final reporting, the 2020 PLOC will receive an update on FY 2025-26 financials and performance in September, not in final report form, and the final Year 5 report will be shared with the committee in March 2027. The committee would meet in late March 2027 to review the report and draft their own Year 5 PLOC annual report.

• Mary asked if there was a way that the committees could overlap for related efforts to not duplicate where possible.
  • Sarah shared that opportunities for topical presentations and feedback, such as next steps with the Access Discount and Cost Recovery Policy, could look like the 2020 PLOC being invited to Parks Board meetings. However, for the 2020 Parks Levy Year 5 reporting, that would likely be just the 2020 PLOC.
• Jacob encouraged the sharing of financial and performance data before the report is drafted, particularly as an opportunity to provide feedback before the report is in final form.

Claire reviewed follow-up items from the meeting and adjourned.

Meaningful Access Statement

It is the policy of the City of Portland that no person shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any city program, service, or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, disability, or other protected class status. Adhering to Civil Rights Title VI and ADA Title II civil rights laws, the City of Portland ensures meaningful access to City programs, services, and activities by reasonably providing: translation and interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services. To request these services, contact 503-823-2525, or for Relay Service or TTY, contact 711.

Traducción e Interpretación (Spanish)

Es política de la Ciudad de Portland que ninguna persona sea excluida de participación, se le nieguen los beneficios, o esté sujeta a discriminación en ningún programa, servicio o actividad de la ciudad por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, discapacidad u otra condición de clase protegida. En cumplimiento con los Derechos Civiles Título VI y con las leyes de derechos civiles del ADA Título II, la Ciudad de Portland asegura el acceso significativo a programas, servicios y actividades de la ciudad al brindar de manera razonable: traducción e interpretación, modificaciones, adaptaciones, formatos alternativos y ayudas y servicios auxiliares. Para solicitar estos servicios, llame al 503-823-2525, al TTY de la ciudad o al servicio para las personas con problemas auditivos: 711.

Solicitud de traducción o interpretación de PP&R

Biên Dịch và Thông Dịch (Vietnamese)

Chính sách của Thành Phố Portland là không ai bị loại khỏi, bị từ chối phúc lợi, hoặc bị phân biệt đối xử trong bất kỳ chương trình, dịch vụ hay hoạt động nào của thành phố dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da, nguồn gốc quốc gia, khuyết tật, hoặc tình trạng khác được pháp luật bảo vệ. Tuân theo Đạo Luật Dân Quyền (Civil Rights) Khoản VI và Đạo Luật ADA Khoản II, Thành Phố Portland đảm bảo sự tiếp cận hiệu quả đối với các chương trình, dịch vụ và hoạt động của thành phố bằng cách cung cấp một cách hợp lý: dịch vụ biên dịch và thông dịch, biện pháp điều chỉnh, sửa đổi, hình thức thay thế, và thiết bị và dịch vụ phụ trợ.Để yêu cầu các dịch vụ này, hãy liên hệ 503-503-823-2525, Dịch Vụ Chuyển Tiếp: 711.

Yêu Cầu Dịch Vụ Biên Dịch Hoặc Thông Dịch Liên Quan Đển PP&R

口笔译服务 (Simplified Chinese)

波特兰市的政策规定，任何人不得因种族、肤色、国籍、残疾或其他受保护的身份状态而被禁止参与任何城市计划、服务或活动或享有任何城市计划、服务或活动的福利，也不得被歧视。根据《民权法》第六章和 ADA第二章"民权法"的规定，波特兰市须确保市民能够平等参与城市计划、服务和活动，为此要根据需要提供以下各项：口笔译服务、方案修改、住宿、替代格式、辅助工具和服务。如需申请这些服务，请致电 503-823-2525，转接服务：711。

要求 PP&R笔译或口译

Устный и письменный перевод (Russian)

Политика администрации Портленда запрещает отстранять от участия в городских программах и мероприятиях, отказывать в обслуживании и льготах или иным образом подвергать дискриминации на основании расы, цвета кожи, национальности, инвалидности или иного защищенного статуса. В соответствии с разделом VI Закона о гражданских правах и разделом II Закона о правах американских граждан с ограниченными возможностями администрация Портленда заботится о полноценном доступе жителей к городским программам, услугам и мероприятиям. При необходимости доступны устный и письменный перевод, адаптивные меры, специальные устройства, материалы в альтернативном формате и иные вспомогательные средства и услуги. Для заказа этих услуг свяжитесь с нами. Телефон: 503-823-2525; служба коммутируемых сообщений: 711.

Запрос на письменный или устный перевод информации о PP&R

Turjumaad iyo Fasiraad (Somali)

Waxaa kucad siyasada Mgalaada Portland in qofna loodiidi karin kaqaybgalka, loodiidi karin gunooyinka, ama aan latakoori karin wax kamid ah barnaamijyada magalaada, adeegga, ama shaqo sababo laxariira isirkiisam midabkiisa, wadankiisa, naafonimadiisa, ama xaalad kale oo sharcigu difaacaayo. Ayadoo raacaysa Sharciga Xaquuqda Madaniga ah ee Title VI iyo ADA Title II ee sharciyada xaquuqda madaniga ah, Magaalada Portland waxay xaqiijinaysaa barnaamijyo lawada heli karo oo macno leh ayna bixiso magaaladu, adeegyo, iyo shaqooyin ayadoo si sax ah ubixinaysa: turjumaad iyo soojeedin, isbadalo, adeegyo caawimaad ah, noocyo kaladuwan, iyo caawimaado iyo adeegyo dheeri ah. Si aad ucodsato adeegyadaan, wac 503-823-2525, Adeegga Caawimada: 711.

Письмовий і усний переклад (Ukrainian)

Згідно з політикою міста Портленд, жодну особу не можна позбавляти права на участь, відмовляти їй у матеріальній допомозі або піддавати її дискримінації в будь-якій програмі, службі чи діяльності міста на підставі раси, кольору шкіри, етнічного походження, інвалідності або іншого статусу захищених класів. Дотримуючись законів про права громадян, а саме розділу VI Прав громадян і розділу ІІ Закону про права американських громадян з обмеженими можливостями, місто Портленд забезпечує значний доступ до програм, служб і заходів міста, надаючи такі послуги: письмовий і усний переклад, модифікування, адаптування, альтернативні формати, додаткову допомогу й інше. Запитати ці послуги можна, скориставшись контактними даними: 503-823-2525, служба комутаційних повідомлень: 711.

Traducere și interpretariat (Romanian)

Este politica orașului Portland ca nicio persoană să nu fie exclusă din programe, servicii sau activități ale orașului, să nu i se refuze acestea și să nu facă obiectul unor discriminări pe bază de rasă, culoare, naționalitate, dizabilități sau alte situații vizând categorii protejate. Respectând legile privind drepturile civile „Civil Rights" (Drepturile Civile), articolul VI, și „ADA" (Americans with Disabilities Act - Legea privind americanii cu dizabilități), articolul II, orașul Portland asigură acces adecvat la programe, servicii și activități ale orașului oferind, în mod rezonabil: servicii de traducere și interpretariat, modificări, cazare, formate diferite, ajutoare și servicii auxiliare. Pentru a solicita aceste servicii, contactați 503-823-2525, Serviciu de retransmitere: 711.

अनुवादनतथाव्याख्या (Nepali)

पोर्टल्यान्डकोशहरकोनीतिहोकिकुनैपनिव्यक्तिलाईजाति,रङ,राष्ट्रियमूल,असक्षमतावाअन्यसंरक्षितवर्गीकरणस्थितिकोआधारमाकुनैपनिशहरकाकार्यक्रम,सेवावाक्रियाकलापमासहभागीहुनभेदभावगरिने,वञ्चितगरिने,लाभहरूप्रदानगर्नबाटअस्वीकारगरिनेछैन।नागरिकअधिकारशीर्षक VIर ADAशीर्षक IIनागरिकअधिकारकोकानूनहरूकोपालनागर्दै,पोर्टल्यान्डकोशहरलेशहरकाकार्यक्रमहरू,सेवाहरूरक्रियाकलापहरूमाबराबरपहुँचनिश्चयगर्नकोलागिनिम्नप्रदानगर्दछ:अनुवादनरव्याख्या,परिमार्जन,आवास,वैकल्पिकढाँचाहरूरसहायकसामग्रीरसेवाहरू।यीसेवाहरूअनुरोधगर्नकोलागि 503-823-2525,रिलेसेवा: 711मासम्पर्कगर्नुहोस्।

Chiaku me Awewen Kapas (Chuukese)

Mi annuk non ewe City of Portland pwe esap wor emon esap etiwa an epwe fiti, esap angei feiochun, are epwe kuna iteingau non meinisin an ew tetenimw kewe mokutukut, aninnis, are mwich nongonong won i chon ia, enuan, chon menni muu, weiresin inis, are pwan ew tapin aramas mi auchea are pisekisek. Fan itan an fiti Civil Rights Title VI me ADA Title II annuken pungun manau, ewe City of Portland mi ennetata pwe epwe wor etiwaoch ngeni an ewe tetenimw mokutukut, aninnis, me mwichren an aworaochu: chiaku me awewen kapas, ekkesiwin, etufich, sokonon napanap, me pwan ekkoch minen awewe me aninnis. Ika ka mochen ekkei pekin aninnis, kokori 503-823-2525, Fon Fan Itan Ekkewe mi wor Ar Osukosukan Manau: 711.