November Election: City of Hood River General Obligation Bonds
This November, City of Hood River voters will have the opportunity to vote on two bond measures referred to the ballot by the City Council. If passed, Measure 14-85 would authorize a new property tax that would fund affordable housing for local workers, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. If passed, Measure 14-86 would authorize a new property tax that would fund renovations and expansions to the Hood River Police Station.
Election Day is November 3!
Ballots may be returned by dropping them off at any County Elections Office or official ballot drop site in the State of Oregon, or by mailing the ballot. The Oregon Secretary of State is encouraging everyone to vote by drop box – please return your ballot at the County elections office or a drop box near you. If you mail your ballot, send your ballot at least one week before election day.
Your ballot must be received by an official ballot drop box or mail, no later than 8 p.m. or postmarked by election day and received within 7 days. The official ballot drop site located in the City of Hood River is:
County Election Office
601 State St – Hood River, OR 97031 – Outside drop 24 hours/day 7 days/week
About the Bond Measures
Proposed Measure 14-85: Affordable Housing
The 2024 State of the State’s Housing Report identified Hood River as one of Oregon’s most unaffordable communities in the state for housing. If passed, Measure 14-85 would authorize new property taxes to create affordable housing that is not being provided by the private market for local workers, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Prior to proposing Measure 14-85, the City has worked to address housing affordability by limiting the growth of short-term rentals, levying a 1% excise tax on construction to provide funding for affordable housing, providing density bonuses for modest housing types, low-income utility assistance, subsidies for space-efficient housing, and sponsoring a new affordable housing complex, Mariposa Village.
Given the ongoing challenges with housing affordability, the City has proposed Measure 14-85 to facilitate long-term affordability, reduce housing instability, and strengthen the local economy by helping residents live near where they work. If passed, Measure 14-85 would authorize new property taxes that would be used to build housing for households earning 0% to 120% of Hood River median income. The housing may include a mix of unit sizes and some units would be accessible for people with disabilities.
If passed, property owners would pay $0.39 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a median assessed value home would pay approximately $8.82 a month. If the Measure does not pass, there would be no additional funds for affordable housing and property taxes would not be increased.
Proposed Measure 14-86: Police Station Renovation & Expansion
The City of Hood River police department has been operating out of space not designed as a police station for the last 50 years. If passed, the measure would authorize a new property tax that would be used to upgrade the police department, including a secure, private space for interviews; seismic stability to effectively respond during a disaster; and security and safety systems to protect officers and visitors.
The City has been working over the last six years to design updates to the facilities. If passed, Measure 14-86 would fund renovations for an updated facility that would upgrade emergency response, officer safety, and public access.
If passed, property owners would pay $0.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a median assessed value home would pay approximately $7.69 a month. If the measure does not pass, property taxes would not be increased and the police station would not be renovated.
Learn more by visiting cityofhoodriver.gov/bond which includes a bond cost estimator for your property, frequently asked questions, and ballot title language and summaries.
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