As Portland faces escalating costs, many residents and small business owners are feeling the financial strain from recent decisions made by the City Council.
Bob Weinstein, a retired educator and former long-time mayor of Ketchikan, Alaska, has voiced his concerns regarding the rising costs that Portland’s working families are currently experiencing.
In a recent critique, Weinstein pointed out that the City’s leadership has failed to properly manage the budget and plan for future requirements.
He emphasized that the new 12-member City Council is perpetuating a troubling pattern of increasing taxes and fees that ultimately burden residents.
Recently, the Council approved a proposed parks levy aimed at improving local parks, but Weinstein argues that the measure is structured to ask for a steep 75% tax increase, raising the rate from $0.80 to $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value.
This proposed levy is an added financial load on property owners, including those already facing annual increases in their property taxes.
For example, the owner of a home valued at $221,600 would see an increase of $133 a year, equating to around $11 a month.
However, those with higher property values, such as a $400,000 assessment, could face costs rising by $20 monthly.
Weinstein points out that a significant portion of the revenue generated from this tax hike, totaling $2 million of the projected $86 million annually, will tackle the city’s substantial $600 million parks maintenance backlog.
This minimal allocation raises concerns about whether it will effectively address critical infrastructure needs or result in park closures due to deteriorating conditions.
In addition to the parks levy, the annual budget recently approved a 6.34% increase in water, sewer, and stormwater services.
This hike includes costs stemming from the Water Bureau’s over-budget water filtration plant project, which has seen its costs soar to an alarming $2 billion.
Weinstein questions where the accountability lies, noting that rather than addressing these cost overruns, councilors simply pass the burden onto ratepayers.
Adding to the financial pressures, parking meter rates have risen and operational hours have expanded from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., thereby impacting local businesses trying to attract evening customers.
Ride-share fees have increased dramatically, jumping from 65 cents to $2 per ride.
Furthermore, permit fees for residential and commercial projects, as well as electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, also saw a 5% increase in July, exacerbating the financial strain on Portland residents.
Weinstein paints a clear picture: the City often reaches into the same pockets without any visible plan for change.
Moreover, the financial strain is compounded by decisions from other governmental levels.
Multnomah County recently approved a staggering 33% increase in health inspection fees for restaurants and lodging establishments, a decision described as a significant financial blow by the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association.
This cumulative impact of fee increases from various levels of government raises critical questions about communication and collaboration among city, county, Metro, and school district officials.
Weinstein argues that a regional strategy for affordability is sorely needed to address the multitude of taxes, fees, and levies that affect the same households in Portland.
The current lack of coordination among different jurisdictions reflects an alarming abdication of leadership, where each entity seeks to resolve its own issues without considering the holistic impact on residents.
These increases are not simply taxes levied on luxury items or wealth; they are regressive fees that predominantly impact working families, renters, and seniors on fixed incomes.
Every additional charge makes it increasingly difficult for families to remain in Portland, create a stable home environment, and puts affordability into question as a priority for local leaders.
Weinstein urges city officials to recognize that restoring trust and making Portland livable requires a shift away from treating residents like an unlimited source of revenue.
Affordability in Portland must be understood in its entirety, encompassing every cost imposed by the government.
Until leaders grasp this reality, more families will find themselves being priced out of the city they cherish.
image source from：oregonlive
