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March 9, 2010 Voters' Pamphlet

City of Estacada - Measure 3-349
City of Damascus - Measure 3-350
City of Damascus - Measure 3-351
City of Damascus - Measure 3-352
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CITY OF ESTACADA
MEASURE 3-349

BALLOT TITLE
MOTOR VEHICLE FUEL TAX FOR ESTACADA STREETS

QUESTION
Shall Estacada impose a tax on motor vehicle fuel sold in the City to pay for street improvements costs?

SUMMARY
This measure, if passed, would approve Sections 3.30.030 and 3.30.040 of Estacada City Ordinance No. 2009-004. That Ordinance creates a new chapter in the Estacada Municipal Code, Chapter 3.30, imposing a three cent per gallon tax on motor vehicle fuel sold in Estacada. The tax would be collected by motor fuel dealers and paid to the City. Sections 3.30.030 and 3.30.040 of that ordinance would impose the fuel tax on dealers and would establish the amount of tax.

Net tax revenue received under the Ordinance can only be used for construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance and repair of streets, roads and public highways within Estacada. The ordinance includes a record-keeping requirement for fuel dealers, and provides for credits if a dealer makes an over-payment. It imposes penalties on a dealer for nonpayment and exempts certain fuel (exported fuel, fuel sold to the armed forces, and fuel in vehicles coming into Estacada) from taxation.

At the rate of three cents per gallon, annual revenue is expected to be between $150,000 and $160,000 annually.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure, if passed, would approve Sections 3.30.030 and 3.30.040 of Estacada City Ordinance No. 2009-004. That Ordinance creates a new chapter in the Estacada Municipal Code, Chapter 3.30, imposing a three cent per gallon tax on motor vehicle fuel sold in Estacada. The tax would be collected by motor fuel dealers and paid to the City. Sections 3.30.030 and 3.30.040 of that ordinance would impose the fuel tax on dealers and would establish the amount of tax.

Net tax revenue received under the Ordinance can only be used for construction, reconstruction, improvement, maintenance and repair of streets, roads and public highways within Estacada. The ordinance includes a record-keeping requirement for fuel dealers, and provides for credits if a dealer makes an over-payment. It imposes penalties on a dealer for nonpayment and exempts certain fuel (exported fuel, fuel sold to the armed forces, and fuel in vehicles coming into Estacada) from taxation.

At the rate of three cents per gallon, annual revenue is expected to be between $150,000 and $160,000 annually.

This measure, if passed, would satisfy the voter approval requirements of Chapter II, Section 4 of the Estacada City Charter.

No arguments were filed in favor of or in opposition to this measure.

CITY OF DAMASCUS
MEASURE 3-350

BALLOT TITLE
AMENDS DAMASCUS CHARTER TO RESTRICT PUBLIC TRANSIT IN THE CITY

QUESTION
Should Charter be amended to prohibit monopoly status for public transit providers and to prohibit mass transit rail within Damascus.

SUMMARY
This measure would amend Chapter IX of the Damascus Charter by adding new language to Chapter IX to read:

Public Travel and Transport

To insure that the City of Damascus is open as much as possible to the free flow of vehicular traffic and citizen travel within the city,

a) the city of Damascus shall not grant monopoly status to any public or private provider of transport or transit.

b) No public mass transit rail will be allowed within the city limits.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure would amend Chapter IX of the Damascus Charter by adding new language as follows (text of proposed measure in bold):

Public Travel and Transport

To insure that the City of Damascus is open as much as possible to the free flow of vehicular traffic and citizen travel within the city,

a) The City of Damascus shall not grant monopoly status to any public or private provider of transport or transit.

b) No public mass transit rail will be allowed within the city limits.

This measure, if passed, may prohibit the City from granting an exclusive franchise to TriMet, a bus service, a taxi service, or any other public or private provider of transport or transit. It also purports to prohibit mass transit rail lines within the City.

Information provided by
William A. Monahan, City of Damascus

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
This measure was written by Citizens of Damascus, NOT METRO ! At the request of hundreds of Citizens of Damascus by signing the initiative. City residents volunteered to go door to door to get these signatures to let you vote on this important issue.

This measure prohibits Light rail in Damascus unless voters choose otherwise. That is right, citizens will have the final say. This measure is a charter amendment that can only be changed by a vote. It also prohibits the city from granting monopoly status for mass transit in the city. It insures competition and local control, as only a local vote can change our city charter.

Light rail has been forced on many cities even though their citizens consistently vote against it.

In fact light rail has yet to be approved in any election and yet is still built !

DAMASCUS CAN BE DIFFERENT.

Study after study shows crime rises dramatically when light rail is built. This is not what Damascus needs. In the city planning process we were constantly told this is a local plan and not from Metro. We were also told there were no plans for light rail. Then in January, 2009 the Oregonian printed a Metro map with light rail running right through Damascus. They had this map and plan all along.

Protect our schools. Light rail requires high density and low income housing which is subsidized with higher taxes on our property. This places more children in our schools with no tax revenue to cover the added costs.
Tell Metro,
A no light rail vote in Damascus MEANS NO LIGHT RAIL!
VOTE YES on 3-350
PROTECT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS !
For more information or to help visit askdamascus.org or call 503-658-5020

Information furnished by
Dan Phegley, Ask Damascus PAC
The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION

Neighbors supporting Damascus’ core values urge you to VOTE NO ON Measure 3-350.

Measure 3-350 says it will restrict “monopoly” status for public transit providers. What does this mean?

Public transit is a mostly taxpayer funded service, like police or fire fighting. It’s not a money making operation. Most of Damascus has no public transit because we are outside of Tri-Mets service area. Carver is served by a bus that go back and forth to Estacada. Do we want to end bus service to Carver? That could happen if this initiative passes.

Is there some reason not to extend bus service to other parts of Damascus? We live in a world with rising gas prices and declining oil supply. We have an aging population, and some may not be able to drive themselves around. Many of us are already stuck in traffic daily on Highway 212. Do we really want to run public transit providers out of town by passing anti-transit initiatives?

And do we really need a ballot measure to keep light rail out of Damascus? Is anyone proposing to even build light rail way out here? No. What is the point of voting on this measure?

The point is this measure has nothing to do with Damascus. It is apparently the work of radical anti-transit organizers from outside our community. Ask Damascus takes thousands of dollars from these outside interests so that we, Damascus citizens, can be their new play thing. It has nothing to do with us and everything to do with their larger agenda against all government. It’s time to stop humoring them and letting them use our little town as a battering ram aimed at public transit or whatever other radical ideas they have.

Let’s focus on building our community up instead of tearing it down. Please join us in voting no on this totally unnecessary ballot measure.

Information furnished by
G.A. Passannante for Keith Marshall, Livable Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

CITY OF DAMASCUS
MEASURE 3-351

BALLOT TITLE

QUESTION
Should the Charter be amended to add conditions for approving emergency clauses in ordinances and to include right of referral?

SUMMARY
This measure would amend Section 17 of the Damascus Charter to require city councilors to submit written testimony to explain for the record why ordinance adoption with an emergency clause is necessary to protect the public health and safety of Damascus citizens.

It would require all ordinances containing an emergency clause, even those passed prior to the charter amendment, to comply with these new requirements within 30 days after the elections official determines the result of the election. Any ordinances that do not comply with this requirement would be null and void.

This measure would also make all legislative and administrative acts of the city, including those containing an emergency clause, subject to referendum of the people for thirty days after adoption.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Section I7 Riqht of Referral & Effective Date of Ordinances.
(a) Ordinances normally take effect on the 30th day after adoption, or on a later day provided in the ordinance. An ordinance may take effect as soon as adopted or other date less than 30 days after adoption if it contains an emergency clause.

(b) An ordinance containing an emergency clause must receive unanimous approval of all council members present at the meeting at which it is adopted. At the time of the adoption of an emergency clause, each councilor shall submit written testimony to explain for the record what the principle threat is and why the adopted ordinance is necessary to protect the public and the health and safety of Damascus citizens.

(c) For a period of thirty days after adoption, all acts by the city, whether legislative or administrative including those containing an emergency clause, are subject to referendum by the people.

(d) Any ordinance containing an emergency clause passed prior to adoption of this charter amendment must be re-authorized according to the language in section 17 (b) & (c). Any ordinance not re- authorized within 30 days of the city elections official determining the result of the election adopting this language shall be null and void.

This Measure would, if passed, require city councilors to submit written testimony to explain for the record why ordinance adoption with an emergency clause is necessary to protect the public health and safety of Damascus citizens.

It would require all ordinances containing an emergency clause, even those passed prior to the charter amendment, to comply with these new requirements within 30 days after the elections official determines the result of the election. Any ordinances that do not comply with this requirement would be null and void.

This measure would also make all legislative and administrative acts of the city including those containing an emergency clause, subject to referendum of the people for thirty days after adoption.

Information provided by
William A. Monahan, City of Damascus


ARGUMENT IN FAVOR

This measure was written by Citizens of Damascus, NOT METRO ! At the request of hundreds of Citizens of Damascus by signing the initiative. City residents volunteered to go door to door to get these signatures to let you vote on this important issue.

This measure limits the city councils use of an emergency clause for expediting ordinances and avoid a public vote.

Why would we want to limit use of the emergency clause?

The emergency clause is intended to expedite lawmaking that may be required in the event of a city emergency. Attaching an “Emergency Clause” to an ordinance declares a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and prevents any citizen referral to a vote.

Since incorporation to June, 2009 the council declared emergencies 11 times, or on 35% of all ordinances. On 12/17/09 ordinance 2007-21 declared the county voter pamphlet an emergency saying it was a threat to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens ! This ordinance required the removal of the text of each measure to be voted on and replaced it with a city (staff-written) “Explanatory Statement”. Since passage of that ordinance the city has been required to have the city attorney complete this statement on every measure at substantial cost to the city. After each election since deleting the text of each measure from the voters pamphlet the Mayor has complained the citizens did not understand what they were voting on.

This measure requires each councilor to submit written testimony to explain for the record what the principle threat is and why the adopted ordinance is necessary to protect the public and the health and safety of Damascus citizens.

This measure restores the right of citizens to refer all ordinances to a vote.

VOTE YES ON 3-351
KEEP YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE !

For more information or to help in our efforts visit askdamascus.org or call 503-658-5020

Information furnished by
Dan Phegley, Ask Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION

Neighbors supporting Damascus’ core values urge you to VOTE NO ON Measure 3-351.
Measure 3-351 will restrict the Damascus Council from using the emergency clause. Why? Is there some emergency about the emergency clause?

Ask Damascus has a beef with the City Council. We have no idea where their anger and resentment comes from, and we have even less idea of why they bring us these silly ballot measures that micromanage local government.

We elect a volunteer city council to make decisions. Like other town councils, they sometimes use the emergency clause to expedite decisions. Does this do any harm? If it does, we have not seen it. Do we really need to tie our council up in more paper work? What is the point?

There isn’t any. Except that Ask Damascus has a vendetta against government, particularly our own local government. This silly measure creates a new hoop for the council to go through if and when it needs to use the emergency clause. It is pointless.

So why vote against it? Who really cares? Here is why. This measure requires the council to refer everything they pass with an emergency clause to the voters. Everything, even those acts already passed and long on the books. And you know what folks? Elections cost real money. Every special election that has to be held to satisfy Ask Damascus tiresome vendetta costs this city, meaning you the taxpayer, about $9000. That’s right. The beef these guys have with the council is costing you money.

Can’t we put a stop to this nonsense? Do we have to have a citizen vote every time the city council uses the emergency clause? No. We don’t and shouldn’t.

Let’s focus on building our community up instead of tearing it down. Please join us in voting no on this totally unnecessary and expensive ballot measure.

Information furnished by
G. A. Passannante for Keith Marshall, Livable Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

CITY OF DAMASCUS
MEASURE 3-352

BALLOT TITLE
AMENDS CHARTER TO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS

QUESTION
Should the Charter be amended to require voter approval of intergovernmental agreements?

SUMMARY
This measure would amend Chapter IV of the Damascus Charter to prohibit the City of Damascus from entering into intergovernmental agreements which would obligate the city, its citizens or impose any obligations on real property within the city unless approved by a majority vote of the city's qualified voters in an election where at least 50 percent of the registered voters cast a ballot, or in general election in an even-numbered year.

This measure would also make null and void all existing such intergovernmental agreements, unless such agreements are approved by the city's qualified voters under the terms discussed above.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure, if passed, would amend Chapter IV of the Damascus Charter to add new language as follows (text of proposed measure in bold):

The City of Damascus shall not enter into intergovernmental agreements which would obligate the city, its citizens or impose any obligations on real property within the city unless approved by a majority vote of the city’s qualified voters in an election where at least 50 percent of the registered voters cast a ballot, or in a general election in an even-numbered year.
All existing such agreements which have not been approved by a vote of the people as described above are null and void.

This Measure, if passed would prohibit the City of Damascus from entering into intergovernmental agreements which would obligate the city, its citizens or impose any obligations on real property within the city unless approved by a majority vote of the city’s qualified voters in an election where at least 50 percent of the registered voters cast a ballot, or in general election in an even-numbered year.

This measure also purports to make null and void all existing such intergovernmental agreements, unless such agreements are approved by the city’s qualified voters under the terms discussed above.

Information provided by
William A. Monahan, City of Damascus

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
This measure was WRITTEN BY CITIZENS of Damascus, NOT METRO !

At the request of hundreds of Citizens of Damascus by signing the initiative. City residents volunteered to go door to door to get these signatures to let you vote on this important issue.

This measure requires voter approval of intergovernmental agreements, both present and past.

This measure STOPS the transfer of power and decision making to Metro

What about fire and police protection ?

When Damascus was formed we had no intergovernmental agreements with no interruption of police or fire protection. The city has known of this measure since March 26, 2009 and could easily have put any agreement up to a vote in either of two elections (May & November 2009) with no cost to the city. To claim they now see a problem is pure political propaganda.

09-04 STOP THE INFLUENCE BUYING ! The city has received payments from Metro for adopting Metro rules and standards including planning that has greatly affected property rights and values. On 2/17/09 the city council accepted an intergovernmental agreement to have Metro do the transportation modeling for Damascus and now asks the citizens for meaningless input (Resolution 09-212)

In an article on October 1, 2009 titled "Price of Growth: $10 Billion" the Portland Tribune points out how much is needed in new local taxes just for current Metro plans. That 10 BILLION IS NEW LOCAL TAXES.

STOP METRO CONTROL
VOTE YES ON 3-352
KEEP YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE !

For more information or to help in our efforts visit askdamascus.org or call 503-658-5020

Information furnished by
Dan Phegley, Ask Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSTION
Dear Damascus Voters:
Measure 3-352 is illogical and fiscally irresponsible.

It is unclear what this measure is intended to do other than throw a wrench into the basic workings of our City. The resulting inefficiency will cost us money!

Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) spell out how water, garbage, planning, emergency services, etc., are accomplished and what they cost.

IGAs are essential for a city to run effectively and efficiently. They are developed and pored over by financial, policy and legal experts for months - it is illogical to expect voters to read through each IGA's jargon while wading through statewide measures in the already hefty Voter's Pamphlet during an election.

There are already over 20 IGAs in place and virtually all of these would be voided and services would be downgraded to the most basic level. We would lose services like our enhanced police presence until the next election.

Losing the flexibility to negotiate IGAs creates havoc. Our City loses the ability to plan long-term and loses the upper hand in negotiating lower costs for services. That's bad business.

Elections are expensive - referring IGAs to the voters costs thousands of dollars per special election and we pay the cost.

Here's how our system should work: we vote in Council members; they do their best to make Damascus a great place to live (remember, they live here, too); if they are not acting in your best interest, vote for someone else in the next election or run for office yourself.

Let them do the work we've elected them to do.

The money to fund this measure is coming predominantly from outside our community. These outside interests are wasting our money by forcing us to spend money on unnecessary elections. Ask yourself what these people and organizations are getting out of this measure, because we who live in the community are getting the short end of the stick.

Please vote NO on measure 3-352!

Thank you,
Joyce Schwer

Information furnished by
Joyce Schwer

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
One of the most effective ways for the City of Damascus to make every tax dollar work is to share costs of services with other local governments by contracting and using each others excess capacity. What private business calls a contract, Oregon calls an "inter governmental agreement" or IGA.

Measure 3-352 will cripple this ability and will result in Damascus providing LESS SERVICES at HIGHER COST.

We will simply NOT be able to AFFORD our own effective POLICE force. The costs of overhead to run a Police Department (training, weapons certification, vehicle maintenance, etc) for one single officer, rather than being shared among the several hundred officers of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, will dramatically cut the number of patrol hours if it even lets a Damascus only officer out of the office. We will lose our POLICE PROTECTION provided by the CITY. Karl has been a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years. He has seen how long (often over an hour) for the Sheriff to respond with their basic protection levels. He has seen the improvement in response time, safety, and lowered crime rates with the Police provided by the IGA.

If we need a, say, track hoe for emergency road work for a week and Gladstone has one sitting idle should we borrow it (at less cost than a commercial rental). Sure. Gladstone will want an agreement to cover rent and any damage. OOPS THIS TAKES AN IGA! No Can Do. No Save Money. Oh yeah, we could vote on it, and WAIT for months and SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS for the election!

Is this what the petitioners want, more employees sitting pushing paper doing nothing? More crime? More wasteful spending?

Join us in voting for supporting Efficient and Cost Saving options for the City of Damascus. Join us in voting to keep our POLICE. VOTE NO on 3-352

Karl Wescott
Mary Wescott
Damascus

Information furnished by
Ken Wescott & Mary Wescott

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSTION

Neighbors working to support Damascus' core values urge you to VOTE NO ON Measure 3-352.
Communities depend on intergovernmental cooperation for necessary services that save money.

Every city in Oregon uses inter-governmental agreements to provide services at the lowest possible cost.

Damascus has over 25 agreements with neighboring communities and districts that provide services including:
• Fire fighting coordination
• Emergency Medical Response
• Law enforcement
• Sewage treatment
• Road maintenance and repair
• Election Services
• Disaster response
• Litter pickup
• Building and land use permits
• Municipal Court
• Tax lot mapping
• Clean drinking water
• Trash collection
• Town planning
• Transportation

Measure 3-352 is ridiculous. It would cancel every single existing agreement. It would force a public vote to reinstate any of them, or to approve any new agreements, and this vote could only be held every other year. Without these and future agreements, Damascus will be tied in knots and be left completely on our own. We will have to provide for every one of these basic services ourselves, hire staff, buy equipment, pay for training, and do work others are already doing for us at much lower cost than we can do for ourselves.

Or we can just go without fire protection, emergency services, road maintenance, trash collection and the rest until we get around to voting them back in. But what would happen to our property values in the meantime? Haven't they already dropped enough? Do we really want to take this risk?

Measure 3-352 makes absolutely no sense. If it passes it could have terrible consequences for our community and the value of our homes and land.

Let's focus on building our community up instead of tearing it down further. Please join us in voting no on this poorly written, ill-conceived, and quite frankly ridiculous ballot measure. Take your community back by voting NO!

(This information furnished by Livable Damascus)

Information furnished by
G. A. Passannante for Keith Marshall, Livable Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION

Damascus Measure 3-352
As a land owner in Damascus, Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA's) are vital to our city. IGA's provide Damascus citizens and businesses with essential services in an efficient and cost effective manner:

Fire Department
Emergency Medical Services and Response
Police
Sewer
Road maintenance and repair
Cable regulation
Election Services
Emergency and Disaster response
Litter patrols
Planning, building and land use permitting
Municipal Courts

These are just some of the services provided to Damascus citizens through IGAs. If this measure passes, the City of Damascus itself will be unable to supply these critical and essential services.

This measure would require a cumbersome, unworkable and expensive process for the City ...... AND THAT MEANS HIGHER COSTS FOR OUR CITIZENS.

In this economy, it is not right to increase costs to the citizens of Damascus!!!

PROTECT OUR FIRE, EMS, POLICE, SEWER AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES

VOTE NO ON MEASURE 3-352!!!

GDI New Horizons

Information furnished by
Donald W. Lewis, GDI New Horizons

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

CITY OF DAMASCUS
MEASURE 3-353

BALLOT TITLE
AMENDS DAMASCUS CHARTER TO LIMIT SPENDING GROWTH RATE IN CITY

QUESTION
Should Charter be amended to limit City's spending growth rate to no more than 2.5 percent
increase annually?

SUMMARY
This measure would create a new section of the Charter which would limit the rate of growth of total city spending. With certain exceptions, any increase in total city spending from one year to the next could be no greater than the previous year increased by 2.5 percent.

"Total spending" would include all disbursements pursuant to acts by the City Council authorizing the expenditure of public funds, except for:

1. money to fund emergency or "rainy day" funds;
2. federal funds;
3. money to fund tax and other refunds;
4. money voluntarily donated to the city;
5. proceeds from the sale of bonds specifically approved by voters; and
6. proceeds from the sale of real property at real market value to non-governmental entities.

The limitations for each year could be exceeded by an amount approved by an unanimous vote of the council and referred to and approved by a majority of electors voting on the issue in a general election.

Total spending, in fiscal year 2010-2011, could not exceed $8,000,000.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure, if passed, would create a new section of the Damascus Charter which would limit the rate of growth of total city spending by the city. With certain exceptions, any increase in total city spending from one year to the next could be no greater than the previous year increased by 2.5 percent.

“Total spending” would include all disbursements pursuant to acts by the City Council authorizing the expenditure of public funds, except for:

1. money to fund emergency or “rainy day” funds;
2. federal funds;
3. money to fund tax and other refunds;
4. money voluntarily donated to the city;
5. proceeds from the sale of bonds specifically approved by voters; and
6. proceeds from the sale of real property at real market value to non-governmental entities.

The limitations for each year could be exceeded by an amount approved by an unanimous vote of the council and referred to and approved by a majority of electors voting on the issue in a general election.

Total spending, in fiscal year 2010-2011, could not exceed $8,000,000.

Information provided by
William A. Monahan, City of Damascus

ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
This measure was written by Citizens of Damascus, NOT METRO ! At the request of hundreds of Citizens of Damascus by signing the initiative. City residents volunteered to go door to door to get these signatures to let you vote on this important issue.

This measure Limits city spending and it paves the way for a rainy day fund and tax refunds.

In the last three years ending June 30, 2009 the city council budgeted and spent over 27 MILLION dollars ($27,602,471) and what do we have ?

Millions were spent on Metro's plan for the city and in February 2009 members of Metro admitted they knew it would not work !

On 2/18/09 the city manager responded to an inquiry regarding cost of the tree ordinance "We do not track staff time for city projects unless this is a requirement for federal or state funding. " This ordinance worked on for over three years was so poorly written permanent adoption has yet to happen.

Encouraged by staff, the city council continues to spend in both cases.
Why a spending limit and not a tax limit? Metro knows how to get around tax limits. Through intergovernmental agreements such as Resolution 09-212 giving Metro exclusive rights to do transportation modeling (planning) for Damascus the city council agreed to take appx $540,000 offered by Metro for EXCLUSIVE planning rights in Damascus. This agreement requires Metro rules to be followed and be applied to all private property. Thus the city sells authority to Metro and outsiders make rules that can destroy our property values.

This measure would limit outside influence on our city council.
A key provision in this measure allows for saving for the future (rainy day fund) and the refund of property taxes paid to the city by private property owners.

VOTE YES ON 3-353
FOR LOCAL CONTROL !

For more information or to help in our efforts visit askdamascus.org or call 503-658-5020

Information furnished by
Dan Phegley, Ask Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
Dear Damascus Voter:
I strongly urge you to vote NO on Measure 3-353 - it isn't what it seems and it's bad for our community.

On the surface this measure may sound appealing - who doesn't want our City Council to limit its spending? However, the reality of this measure will hurt us more than help, because:

• Matching grant funds allow the City to pay half as much for a project (parks/fields/playgrounds, safety upgrades, water quality improvement, etc.) - but if the City's half exceeds the 2.5% increase, the city loses the grant. The City may also be ineligible to apply for other grants due to the timing constraints of a 2-year general election cycle. As a result, you and I will pay the project's total cost or the project just won't get done.

• Big infrastructure improvements (like roads to help ease traffic), may be seriously curtailed since the cost would spike spending for the construction year and potentially trigger the spending limit. That traffic light we need at busy intersections? This measure jeopardizes projects like that.

• Our City's credit rating could be downgraded since the economic uncertainty of whether the City could complete long-term projects makes lenders wary. City operating expenses would increase - and who pays for those cost increases? You and I.

• Spending caps with no provision for population growth or infrastructure improvements are bad business. If the City can not adequately finance improvements to offset the costs of people moving into our city, we will lose our quality of life.

The money to fund this measure is coming predominantly from outside our community. These outside interests are wasting our money by forcing us to spend money on unnecessary elections. Ask yourself what these people and organizations are getting out of this measure, because we who live in the community are getting the short end of the stick.

Please vote no on this measure.
Thank you,
Joyce Schwer

Information furnished by
Joyce Schwer

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
Measure 3-353 seeks to limit the city spending. The reality is it will COST us MORE for LESS SERVICES and will CRIPPLE the City when GROWTH HAPPENS.

When the city budgets a project, then decides to wait until the following year, by means of a carryover line in the budget, wait and spend the money when it is better spent, or not at all. With 3-353 money the city SAVEs (ie does not spend) reduces the amount the city can spend the next year (even if the city knows its needed). This measure FORCES the City to SPEND SPEND SPEND every DIME EVERY YEAR, YEAR after YEAR. Saving will not be a responsible policy for the city!

We know major growth and development is several years in the future but, if the City grows say 25% in a year from new development the increase in overall value will increase and the city will have more money to provide services. The taxes we pay as individuals for our house will not change past the existing 3% property tax limitation. The additional money will come from the NEW construction. With 3-353 THE CITY WILL HAVE TO LOWER SERVICES FOR NO GOOD REASON (actually the service level will be the same, but with more people and demand we will see less so we call it a cut).

The amount of money the City can spend is limited by the amount the city can tax. Property tax revenue was already VOTED BY THE PEOPLE when the city was formed, and is ALREADY LIMITED to the permanent tax rate and the assessed value is limited to a 3% increase per year. "Fees" and other taxes are ALREADY REQUIRED TO BE VOTED ON. This measure is just plain a duplication of laws, and will DEMAND STUPID INEFFICIENT GOVERNMENT. We do not want that, some obviously do. Join us in our NO VOTE ON 3-353.

Karl Wescott
Mary Wescott
Damascus

Information furnished by
Karl Wescott & Mary Wescott

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by
Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION

Neighbors supporting Damascus' core values urge you to VOTE NO ON Measure 3-353.
Restricting spending growth by an arbitrary amount makes no sense for a growing community.

Damascus has about 9600 people at present. Current spending levels might be adequate if we could leave this place exactly as it is for all time. But we can't. We just don't have that option.

Damascus is going to grow. We don't yet know how much or how fast, but sooner or later we will start to grow. When that happens we will need services for not just those here now, but our new neighbors as well. They and we will all want a few more police, parks, trails, and other services.

Current city spending pays for very basic services; enhanced County Sheriff patrols, planning, code enforcement, and some street maintenance.

We are still a mostly rural community and don't need much else from local government. But 10 or 20 years down the road we will be a growing town of 20,000 or more. We have limited groundwater, so will need a new water supply. We have wet soils, and cannot all use septic systems so will need sewers. Most will not all have acreage to play on, so will need parks and open space. How will all this be paid for if we restrict spending to near current levels? The answer is it can't be. So we will end up with shoddy, underfunded roads, parks and services. Is that why we incorporated?

Damascus already has a constitutional limit on our property tax rates. And we have prohibited the city council from passing any new fees, charges, or taxes without a vote of the people. So why do we need to set an arbitrary limit on spending? We don't.

Let's focus on building our community up instead of tearing it down. Please join your neighbors in voting no on ballot measure 3-353.

(This Information furnished by Livable Damascus)

Information furnished by
G.A. Passannante for Keith Marshall, Livable Damascus

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
Damascus Measure 3-353
As a land owner in Damascus this measure concerns us as it does not allow the City to operate in a prudent, efficient and effective manner. It is not practical, does not control costs and does not allow for population growth and inflation.

This measure does not make sense.

• Annual population growth for the City of Damascus is expected to be greater than 2.5%. Adjusting for inflation at approximately 3%, the spending cap of 2.5% will not adequately provide for the infrastructure to support growth and monetary inflation.

• The City will incur additional time and money problems as well as legal and election expenses and unforeseen troubles as a result of taking routine business decisions to the voters. Citizens should not vote on routine decisions!! That's why we elect our City Council. If there are problems, you replace the Council and the City Manager.

• If additional spending is required about the 2.5% annual cap, timely financial opportunities will be lost as this measure only allows for additional spending approval to go before the voters every two years at the General Election. Would it be prudent for you to have to wait two years to make a business decision for your family?

• This measure will require Supplemental Budgets. This lengthy process will cost the city additional payroll, advertising and legal expense that would normally not be necessary.

• The costs and problems associated with this measure are excessive and there is no allowance for future growth.

IT JUST DOES NOT MAKE SENSE !!!
VOTE NO ON MEASURE 3-353 !!
GDI New Horizons

Information furnished by
Donald W. Lewis, GDI New Horizons

The posting of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Clackamas County, nor does the County warrant the accuracy or truth of any statement made in the argument.

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