Happy Valley Residents Brushed Aside With Unkept Promises By Clackamas County, Again -06/20/18

Happy Valley residents brushed aside with unkept promises by Clackamas County, again

Yesterday, Clackamas County / North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District (NCPRD) approved a budget that includes taxing Happy Valley residents. This comes after repeated promises in letters and website announcements that “Starting July 1, NCPRD will no longer be assessing its permanent district rate within Happy Valley.”

The City is monumentally disappointed with Clackamas County going back on promises it made to the City and its residents to honor the withdrawal from NCPRD and not tax property inside Happy Valley.

Not only is the City shocked by this latest development, it disputes a recent decision from the Department of Revenue to rescind its previous approval of the City’s withdrawal from NCPRD. The City was transparent throughout the process and all parties, including Clackamas County, were in agreement on the steps to withdraw.  Only now at the 11th hour has the Department of Revenue, at the County’s request, inserted itself into the process and sought to direct the outcome.

The most concerning aspect of these actions is that they come on the heels of a local election in which the voters of Happy Valley overwhelmingly approved a levy to support City-run parks and recreation services. The City referred the levy to the voters with the understanding and promise from Clackamas County that it would not tax Happy Valley residents after July 1, 2018.

 “Once again, the county isn’t listening to what our residents want. The levy to fund park maintenance and operations locally was approved by voters at 72% and residents are eager to move forward on local park and recreational services. The action of Clackamas County in contesting the withdrawal now ignores the will of the voters and does not have the best interests of their Happy Valley constituents in mind,” said Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

It is important to understand that the City followed the process that Clackamas County Counsel advised it to follow. NCPRD was established by the County under Oregon Revised Statute Chapter 451. In that same chapter, the statute directs cities that wish to withdraw from such districts to follow a process outlined in ORS 222.524. This is the process the County identified, and the City followed, including notice to residents and a public hearing. Leading up to the decision and during the public hearing, the Council received comments from many residents who urged the City Council to withdraw from NCPRD. 

After the withdrawal ordinance was adopted, Clackamas County and the Department of Revenue acknowledged the City’s authority to withdraw and approved the process the City followed. The County repeatedly promised it would “not stand in the way” and that “Starting July 1, NCPRD will no longer be assessing its permanent district tax rate within Happy Valley.” On numerous occasions, the County admitted in court that the City properly withdrew from NCPRD.

Only now is the Department of Revenue, at the County’s request, rescinding its previous approval, a move the City considers a gross overstep of the department’s authority.

“As we are currently involved in a legal dispute with NCPRD over the return of Happy Valley SDC dollars, it is no surprise that this split is contentious. However, we do not believe the Department of Revenue should be involved and further complicate this legal issue,” said Mayor Chavez-DeRemer.

The City of Happy Valley will continue to forge ahead in developing Parks and Recreation services, taking into account the input and efforts contributed by community members and city staff over the last year.

“It’s frustrating, to say the least, that this is only surfacing at the eleventh hour. Our citizens and staff have contributed a tremendous amount of work to date to make this program successful for the community. We know the community is excited to see what Parks and Recreation services will look like in Happy Valley and we are still eager to provide these services. In the end, we want what is best for our residents. I think that should be the goal of any government entity. We will continue to serve our residents in the best way we can, providing them with the service they deserve and pay for through their taxes,” said Mayor Chavez-DeRemer.

About Happy Valley

Happy Valley is a community of over 20,000 residents, located 15 miles southeast of Portland, OR. The city was founded in 1965 and is a thriving community with businesses and residents moving to the area for quality schools, beautiful scenery, and growing opportunities.