LOOKING TOWARD A BRIGHT FUTURE
An update on Levy Funding and Projects
For over 40 years, Lane County Parks lacked proper funding to maintain the nearly 70 parks and facilities across the county. As the timber revenue vanished in the early 1980s, the Parks Division, which received little to no General Fund support, was left without a consistent revenue base to effectively maintain parks, including the 5 campgrounds, 3 marinas, 3 covered bridges, and 33 boating facilities within the park system.
On November 8, 2022, Lane County voters passed Measure 20-335 approving a 5-year local option levy that will provide sustainable funding to the tune of over $31 million for Lane County Parks through the year 2028.
While the Levy was passed in 2022, funding does not become available until one full property tax collection cycle has been completed. In anticipation of receiving Levy monies in 2024, the County has adjusted the overall FY23-24 Parks budget and has already begun to ramp up for Levy funded projects. To stay abreast of these developments, please follow us on social media, this quarterly E-Newsletter, and the new Parks Levy website coming soon.
Nearly $15 million will be invested in park amenities identified as deferred maintenance including new restrooms, site utilities, paving, and boating facilities that improve water access. An investment of $11.5 million will fund enhanced maintenance and safety by increasing employee coverage, and over $1 million is dedicated for conservation and educational programming over the lifespan of the levy. Additionally, $5 million in special projects, identified through a stakeholder engagement process, will provide identified facility improvements, site security, water accessibility, trail improvements at Howard Buford Recreation Area, and cooperative projects with regional partners in the county focused on recreation and habitat restoration.
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