Marion County voters to consider OSU extension levy

Marion County voters will decide whether to support the agricultural community in the upcoming May election, with a proposed levy to fund the extension of Oregon State University's agricultural and forestry programs.

If passed, the measure would implement a levy of 5 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value beginning in July. For a home assessed at $160,000, that amounts to $8 a year. The levy would generate approximately $1 million a year, funding for an office and staff to deliver information on everything from crop and vineyard management to woodland and watershed preservation.

In addition to distributing research, the extension service district would sustain the 4-H Youth Development Program. The Marion County Commission announced the ballot measure in the fall after volunteers spent the summer gathering signatures and visiting with all 20 city councils in the county.

Commissioner Kevin Cameron, who joined the commission in 2014, said he sees the main beneficiaries of an extension district as the youth in the community.

"The extension district serves not only our agriculture community, but I think more importantly our community and our youth," he said. "When you look at the lack of opportunities for today's youth, this program is extremely important to help them stay engaged, see hope for their future and learn a lot of skills they'll use in their lives."

The levy would go a long way toward replacing a general decline over the past decade in both state and federal funding for extension programs, Cameron said. Commissioner Janet Carlson said that while extension programs bear the name of OSU, they cannot increase revenue in the same ways an Oregon university can.

"The OSU extension program doesn't have the luxury of charging tuition. They lost 10 to 11 staff (in Marion County), those who actually help people on their farms with crops," Carlson said.

To supplement the loss in revenue, 26 of Oregon's 36 counties now have in place a levy to fund extension programs. But in Marion County, by far the state's largest agricultural producer, that support comes from general fund dollars. Currently, the county offers about $300,000 a year to continue the extension office.

"We're surrounded by extension districts. Polk County has one, Yamhill has one, Clackamas has one," Carlson said. "We'll be more on par with the counties around us when we have this."

Carlson said in the past, the commission has been concerned about putting an extension service district on the ballot because of Marion County's poor history with levies.

Moreover in 2003, the year she took office, a public safety levy failed despite significant support in Salem and Keizer. That anti-tax sentiment, coupled later with an economic recession, meant the county was hesitant to ask for the support.

The catalyst came in 2014 with three petitioners — Kara Fischer, Bob Zielinski and Jim Berneau — who did the legwork to determine whether enough support might exist throughout Marion County. Commissioner Sam Brentano said the three had even shown the willingness to cover the election costs if the levy fails in May.

"They put their names and their finances on the line. That made a big point with me," Brentano said.

Should the levy pass in May, the commissioners said, the county will decide what to do with the funding it currently gives to the district. Carlson said she believes the county is committed to continuing funding at some level, though the funding could also be redirected to cover other costs, such as public safety.

"That's up for negotiation," she said. "I think that we're committed to continue some level of contribution. We'll have to see what that looks like."

Ballot Measure 24-380

Purpose: Raise money for Oregon State University Extension service in Marion County.

Method: Property tax levy of 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Cost: For a home valued at $160,000, the cost to the homeowner would be $8 per year.

Start: July 1, if voters approve.

Election: Ballots mailed to voters April 29. Election day is May 19.