By James Day
Silverton voters will once again be asked to decide on a local option tax levy to support the Silverton Community Swimming Pool.
Voters first approved a ten-year obligation bond for major pool renovations and improvements in 2002. Since then voters have passed a pair of five-year local option property tax levies that raise $275,000 annually for operations and maintenance.
On Nov. 8 Silverton voters will consider a third such five-year levy, which will raise the same $275,000 per year (or $1,375,000 for the full five-year term). The measure was placed on the ballot on a unanimous vote of the Silverton City Council at its July 11 meeting.
The levy will be assessed at 28.45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which is the same cost as the two earlier levies. That means a property owner with an assessment of $300,000 would pay $85.35 per year on the pool levy, Passage of the levy does not represent a tax increase for property owners.
City Manager Ron Chandler noted in his staff report to the council that the levy does not fully fund the pool and its operations. Chandler said the city has budgeted $987,512 for pool operations and maintenance in 2022-23. In addition, approximately $9,500 in employee staff time goes to miscellaneous pool water quality maintenance.
The city pays the Silver Falls YMCA $50,000 annually, which is included in that $987,512 figure, but the YMCA’s costs for its swimming lessons and other pool programming is not included in the city’s budget figure.
Also at the July 11 meeting Mayor Kyle Palmer announced that the Mayors’ Ball fundraiser will be returning on Oct. 22 at the Oregon Garden pavilion. It is believed that this is the first time in a decade that the event has been held. The oldies band Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, long-time musical favorites for the ball, will return for the show, which runs from 7 to 11 p.m.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door and reserved tables for 8 are available for $400 in advance. Event admission also includes local cuisine. The event is for adults only. Tickets can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/mayors-ball-2022-tickets-386160575677.
Palmer said one of the goals of the event will be to honor as many former mayors as possible. Invitations have gone out to all of them, he said, noting that video presentations might be possible for those, such as Stu Rasmussen, who have passed away.
