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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive from our fellow voters.
Election day: May 17, 2016
What does disincorporation mean?
A: Disincorporation means that the city would no longer exist as a political entity. The community would survive, but the city government would not. Sixty (60) days after the election, the city ceases to exist.
What happens to the assets of the City of Damascus?
A: The assets held by the city will be transferred to Clackamas County. HB 3086 established a process to pay for police coverage, employee separations, and other obligations. The Damascus city road funds are required to be spent by the county on the roads in our community. The excess funds held by the city will be returned to the taxpayers. The estimated return is 75% to 85% of one year’s taxes!
Would my taxes go down?
A: Yes! We pay city taxes of $2.80 per thousand dollars of assessed value and county taxes of $2.40 per thousand for a combined rate of $5.20 /K. After Disincorporation we would pay just $2.97 per thousand to the county. For a $250,000 home, this means a tax savings of $560. Every year!
Why would my county taxes go up?
A: Cities that have their own police, or contract with the county for police are taxed at a lower county rate so that residents are not taxed twice for police. Unincorporated areas are taxed at a different rate to cover their police costs. The Clackamas County Sheriff says that police coverage will remain virtually unchanged.
If we vote to disincorporate, will we have to pay city taxes in 2016?
A: No! The May 17 vote was set to avoid beginning a new tax year.
Who pays most of the taxes now?
A: The people living in the neighborhoods that are already developed, like Ondo Rivera, Trillium, Hacienda, Hollyview, SunPark, and Belair bear the majority of the tax burden. These areas are where most of the people live, pay most of the taxes, and stand to benefit very little from any development. These people pay a lot and get very little in return.
What does this mean for development and growth?
A: Planning and permitting for development would be a Clackamas County function, as it was prior to incorporation. With the lack of sewer, roads, and money, no growth will happen in most of the city for many years, if ever.
Would we still have fire protection?
A: Yes. The excellent coverage we get from the Boring and Clackamas Fire districts will not be affected. They are funded separately from the city.
What about local control?
A: Local control never meant that we would be able to circumvent or ignore state and regional planning rules. The vote on the question of whether to fund and operate a non-functional city is the ultimate local control.
Can we still ask Metro to shrink the Urban Growth Boundary?
A: Yes. If disincorporation passes, as a community we can urge Metro to undo all or part of the expansion made in 2002.