Deschutes County voters will have the option to support a local levy that would increase the La Pine Park and Recreation District’s property tax rate over a 5-year period.

Ballot measure 9-124 would apply an additional $0.22 per $1,000 in assessed value within the district’s boundaries beginning July 1, 2019, on top of the park district’s permanent tax rate of $.30 per $1,000.

Owners of property with an assessed value of $200,000 can expect to pay an additional $44 per year, which breaks out to $3.67 per month

The levy would generate an additional $959,000 from 2019 through 2024, according to documents from the park district.

Gary Gordon, chair of the park district’s board of directors, said the money would go toward facility maintenance, security and supporting and expanding district programs as the region continues to grow.

“The 30 cent (rate) is not enough for us to realistically make it,” Gordon said Friday.

The La Pine Park and Recreation District is a special district independent of city government, which serves an approximately 85-square-mile area that includes the city of La Pine as well as unincorporated portions of Deschutes County, extending from Fall River south to the Klamath County line. Gordon said about 9,000 registered voters live within the district boundaries.

Gordon said the park district provides a mix of youth sports along with activities for adults, ranging from pickleball to wellness programs. He added that the additional funding would allow the district to bring on another full-time maintenance person, maintain existing facilities and keep the La Pine Community Center open for more than four days a week.

“We’d sure like to make it at least five days,” Gordon said.

He said the park district could cut programs if the ballot measure doesn’t pass, though he declined to comment on which programs could be cut.

Three people provided letters of support for the ballot measure, with none in opposition, according to Deschutes County Clerk Nancy Blankenship. The measure will appear on the ballot during the general election, which will take place on Nov. 6.

—Reporter: 541-617-7818, shamway@bendbulletin.com