By Scott Unger • Of the News-Register • 

McMinnville parks and rec bond measure heads to the ballot

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Comments

SandyKnoll

Before voting yes on this, I want to know that the money is going into 6 different accounts dedicated to each of the areas to be improved. And that if one of these project goes over, it will not take from the others.

CubFan

SandyKnoll,
That is an excellent question. Does anyone know the answer?

B

Have you all looked at the impact this bond will have on your property taxes? Brace for it.

Lulu

No.

Ron

Another big increase to your tax bill. I still can’t believe anybody would want that gigantic new sports complex on Riverside Drive.And Don’t forget about all the water and light fees a new storm water coming vote No ! There are plenty of empty parks during any given day except for homeless.Look at McDaniel Lane anybody feel safe walking into the park from that side? I think they even locked up the bathroom. Most people just use the parking lot to eat lunch off of Lafayette Avenue. This will just be another big open checkbook to spend the money all over the park system probably give all the employees a raise, especially management.Vote No !

CubFan

B...
I don't disagree with you. Do we know the final estimate for the taxes on this? In other words, how much per thousand of home value?

Ron...
I agree with you... there is no talk of the stormwater system right now. I suspect they are laying low on that until the park and rec bond passes, then they'll unleash the stormwater fee.

Dan Tucholsky

If bonds are voter approved, the annual tax rate will increase during calendar year 2027 by $0.95 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The average assessed value of a home in McMinnville is $438,220.

$438,220 / 1000 = $438.22

$438.22 * $0.95 = $416.31 annual tax increase

$416.31 / 12 months = $34.69 per month to the average homeowner.

B

So, in your terms Dan, it's just a $1.14 a day or $.047 per hour. What a bargain!

CubFan

Dan Tucholsky...
Thank you for your reply!

Will there be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions about this bond? If so, are you able to give us details? I have several questions, and I'm sure others do as well.

Lisa

Hi all - I think there is some incorrect info in this thread. Just want to make sure everyone has the facts:

Currently, McMinnville taxpayers are paying $.84/$1,000 for voter approved transportation bonds.

The property taxes estimated to pay for the $98.5 million CPR bond come to an additional approximately $.95 for every thousand dollars of assessed value in McMinnville.
 
In total, if the CPR bond is approved by voters, the bonded taxes are estimated to be $1.79/$1,000 of assessed value.
 
In 2024/2025, the median detached, single family home in McMinnville has an assessed value of about $229,000 (confirmed by the assessor).
 
If the CPR bond is approved by voters in November 2025, for a home with an assessed value of $229,000 in McMinnville, the additional property taxes are estimated to be about $18/month or a little over $217 a year more than current property taxes.

CubFan

Lisa,
Thank you for the additional info. Can you tell us how the the transportation bonds you referenced relate the to park and rec bond?

Also, what were the already voter approved transportation bonds for?

Will the city be providing a way for people to ask questions about the park and rec bond? I have several questions, and I know others do too. As much as I appreciate the NR comments section, it isn't the place to raise public questions.

I'm a little confused about the average assessed value of $229,000 you mentioned.In a May 31, 2024 article in the NR, Susan Muir calculated the additional monthly expense to the average household if the (original) bond was approved. Her calculation used an average assessed home vague of $257,000. I find it hard to believe home values have declined in the last 14 months. I bring this up because with the fire department bond, I feel voters were mislead, and essentially tricked, into voting for the bond by public officials who wanted the fire bond approved. I'm a little leary about info related to any bond right now. Not trying to attack you... I just want to be properly informed. Thank you!

Dan Tucholsky

Lisa, I double-checked the math using the assessed value you provided, and it aligns with my calculation. If you're referring to "incorrect information in this thread," please clarify specifically what you're referencing. I assume you're pointing to the assessed value figure, which naturally varies from home to home and is the key variable in the equation. Based on my math which is correct, my personal property taxes will increase by $339.56 per year.

NJINILNCCAOR

Right on Ron.

This is going to be a big no from me, and I am recommending to my neighbors to do the same.

McMinnville just doesn’t need this huge luxury, especially since it won’t be used by most of the population.

City leaders want it because it strokes their egos and doing a project like this is exciting and more fun than the day to day work of running a small city.

madmacs

I agree with the council majority, there is no reason the taxpayers should be picking up the tab for any new development costs. If there is something specific that needs to be addressed that can be dealt with on an individual basis and judged on its benefit to community.

Drew

Thank you, Dan! The average assessed value of a house in McMinnville OR is approximately $481,262 to $485,000. These are all great comments and concerns. The voters need more specifics in the near future! Personally, for my family we will be voting No. Not fiscally responsible at this time.

BC

Lisa, if you're the Lisa I think you are, I believe you have a vested interest in this bond passing, sort of like Adam had in the Fire District. I think I'll go with Dan's estimates, or better yet, my property tax statement. My own home isn't assessed anywhere near as low as the number you gave.

I'd love to see McMinnville get a new aquatic center, but the poor homeowners have taken a beating over the last few years (some of which was done underhandedly as far as I'm concerned. To continue to hit them when they're down, way down, isn't nice.

Jeb Bladine

If and when the Assessor responds to us with the 2024-25 “average taxable value” of homes in McMinnville, we will report it here, and elsewhere. Meanwhile, it doesn’t mean much to individual voters – you can look at your home’s tax-assessed valuation, divide by 1,000, and multiple by 0.95 to see approximately what this major community recreation project would cost you.

In a few years our current debt bond rate will drop significantly as some old bonds are paid off. We’ll be reporting on that topic as well.

Meanwhile, “Lisa” in these comments is Lisa Macy-Baker, who has no problem with being identified with her comment. She just didn’t know how to change the posted name in our system. And if that is who “BC” thinks she was, please elaborate on the claim of “vested interest” – Lisa is one of the volunteer leaders of the Recreation Bond citizen campaign and a long-time promoter of expanding local public recreation programs.

By the way, after many decades of approving great public facilities for this community, the last times McMinnville voters approved bond measures were 2000 (parks), 2006 (police/civic buildings) and 2014 (transportation).

Meanwhile, “Dan” probably should identify himself as a City Council member when commenting about city politics, since some readers might not know all council members. (Just to follow suit, I am publisher of the newspaper and have a "vested interest" in promoting spirited debate/discussion of public issues.) And as always, everyone is welcome to put real names on real comments, even though pseudonyms still are allowed.

CubFan

PART 1:

Jeb,
People who want this bond to pass are going to be giving their best sales pitch to get voter approval. As “salesmen”, they will downplay perceived negatives, and emphasize positives… perhaps even exaggerate the benefits.

Many people feel the citizens got burned with the fire department bond. The city gave their best sales pitch and promised for the first year, they would not assess the $1.50 per thousand previously assessed for the old fire department. Public officials promised they would ask citizens if they wanted the $1.50 returned to taxpayers. And if citizens decided to let the city keep the $1.50, then officials told us citizens would have input into how that money would be spent. As it turned out, their method of “asking citizens” was a faulty citizen survey. So flawed, in fact, that the News-Register conducted their own survey, which received dramatically different results as compared to the city survey. The News-Register shared their survey results with the city, who ignored it and proceeded anyway.

In a NR article on July 23, interim city manager Adam Garvin stated:

“My history with the fire districting process knows that MacPAC committee has got a lot of work (ahead),” he said. “(The prior work on the fire district) will definitely give me a unique perspective to share with council and staff as far as what worked and didn’t work for us and how we got to a yes at the end of that road.”

This is concerning! My interpretation of his statement is:
“ Let me show the MacPAC committee how to trick citizens into voting ‘yes’”.

CubFan

PART 2

I am very skeptical about ANY bond the city puts forth.

For the park & rec bond, Susan Muir gave an estimated tax increased in May based on an average assessed value of $257,000. Lisa Baker Macy is quoting $229,000. You stated that it “doesn’t mean much to individual voters”, since we should calculate what our own tax impact will be. You’re absolutely right. But it’s an example of people saying things about the bond, that differ from one person to the next. How do we know who/what to believe?

Going back to their sales pitch for this bond. The supporters of the bond will use the average assessed value of a home and calculate what the impact of the bond is as a monthly amount. Good sales technique… to make it seem like it’s “not much”. However, half the people in the city will pay more than what the proponents state. And the supporters of the bond know full well that if they tell people that it will only cost the average homeowner $18/month, then people will think of that number, and perhaps look more favorably on the bond. In the case of Dan Tucholsky, his monthly increase will be $35/month… nearly twice!

I wonder if supporters of this bond fully realize the “pinch” many of us feel? All expenses are rising. Income isn’t keeping up at the same pace. Which means, we go into the hole more and more each month, having to make tough decisions and prioritize spending more than ever.

You mentioned the News-Register would be reporting on what the true average assessed value is. And also you’d be reporting on what bonds will be dropping off, and I hope that will include the amount per thousand for households, and WHEN those bonds will expire.

DO YOU KNOW IF THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITYY FOR CITIZENS TO ASK QUESTIONS? I know I’m not the only one with a list of questions, and as much as I appreciate the NR comments section, it is not the best place to broadcast information on this important topic.

Zack Geary

CubFan- there will be opportunities of al types from now until the vote. From my perspective, my council email and phone are always open and published on the council website. I am happy to talk about this and any other project whenever needed. The council also takes public comment every business meeting and you could bring your questions to the body and the body can respond. Additionally, the PAC has plans for many engagement opportunities and speaking events throughout the town at clubs, organizations, and open-house style.

Relative to the tax discussion, the current updated (it changes every year) average median detached single family home taxable assessed value in McMinnville is $229,000. That is the information from the assessor. Being the median, that puts it at the halfway point of the dataset so there are as many people that will pay more and as many people that will pay less, so it seems a safe assumption to provide that figure from the county tax assessor and let people extrapolate. Not the real market value, but the taxable assessed value.

Zack Geary

Also, to note: I am currently serving as a McMinnville City Councilor.

BC

Jeb - Vested interest does not necessarily mean there's anything financial involved, if that's what you're getting at, I certainly wasn't. It can also be, and in this case is what I meant, that she is committed to the success of this project. She has countless hours, much passion, and an emotional investment "vested" in the success of the bond.

In your own words: "Lisa is one of the volunteer leaders of the Recreation Bond citizen campaign and a long-time promoter of expanding local public recreation programs". Sounds vested to me.

BC

And to Lisa - my apologies for not using a better word. Invested would have been a better choice so there was no misunderstanding. Anyone who puts the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears into getting something done gets respect for the work. Again, my apologies for my poor chose of words.

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