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ESPD Levy

Learn more about the proposed levy, services it would help pay for, and the possible rate and tax impact.

Proposed measure 34-310

If passed by voters, on May 17, 2022, the proposed measure would continue the five-year ESPD Levy that expires in June 2023. This proposed levy provides a total of $113.9 million that provides about half of the funding that supports 146.5 Sheriff’s Office public safety positions over five years.

Voters established the Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District (ESPD) in 1987 to provide a comprehensive police response for residents in Washington County’s urban area outside of cities. Historically, with funding from previously passed local option levies, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has provided these police services focused inside urban unincorporated areas for over 30 years.

If passed, the proposed levy would continue funding services similar to neighboring cities inside Washington County by maintaining current levels of police services in the District. These services would include: rapid response to 911 calls, funding for the Mental Health Response Team, advanced training in crisis intervention and de-escalation, connecting people experiencing homelessness with community resources, and public safety response to increased overdoses and drug abuse in the community.

Why is the replacement levy being proposed?

To replace an expiring local option levy so that policing services would be maintained in the District even with population growth over the next five years.

What communities does the ESPD serve?

These communities include Aloha, Bethany, Bull Mountain, Bonnie Slope, Cedar Hills, Cedar Mill, Claremont, Cooper Mountain, Garden Home, Metzger, Oak Hills, Raleigh Hills, Reedville, Rock Creek, Somerset, Terra Linda, West Haven, West Slope and other urban areas outside of Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, and Tigard.

What would the proposed levy funds pay for?

The proposed levy would pay for deputies, training, personnel, and equipment to maintain current levels of ESPD services. The proposed levy would help pay for:

  • A rapid response to 911 calls in nearly half the time of the national average.
  • The county’s Mental Health Response Team – pairs a deputy and clinician to respond to people in crisis and divert them from the criminal justice system.
  • Advanced training in crisis intervention and de-escalation for deputies to use when working with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
  • Deputies connecting people experiencing homelessness with community resources.
  • A public safety response to the increased overdoses and abuse of Xanax, OxyContin, Fentanyl, and other drugs in the community.
  • Maintaining current levels of policing services similar to neighboring cities.

What public safety positions are supported in the proposed levy?

The proposed levy supports Sheriff Deputies, Corporals, Sergeants and Lieutenants who are police certified as well as support staff such as Criminal Records Specialists, Program Communication and Education Specialists, and administrative support.

Proposed rate and tax impact – if the proposed levy passes

The proposed levy rate would be $0.83 per $1,000 of assessed value (different from market value). This would be a $0.15 increase over the current rate. If approved, owners of a home with the average assessed value in the Patrol District of $320,655 would pay about $266 in the first year of the proposed levy, or about $22 per month.

Rate and tax impact – If the proposed levy does not pass

The levy that expires in June 2023 will provide about half of ESPD funding. If the proposed measure does not pass, the proposed service would not be provided and property taxes on a home with an average estimated assessed value would decrease by about $211 next year.

This information, except for the website link(s), was reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for compliance with ORS 260.432.

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