While we do not endorse individuals for political office, The Chronicle does make recommendations on ballot measures:
JAIL LEVY
■ Our recommendation: Vote YES
■ Our justification: The Springfield Public Safety levy maintains the level of service and security, handling low-level crimes and housing minimal-threat inmates at the jail. The levy is $1.40 per $1,000 assessed valuation for five years beginning ’23. It’s renewed every five years, so it won’t increase your taxes. It also funds all those “extras” — like community service officers and CAHOOTS.
PARKS LEVY
■ Our recommendation: Vote YES
■ Our justification: Our parks contribute to quality of life, and have received even more use during the pandemic. Many of the parks are in immediate need of maintenance and repair. The levy cost is 16 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in ’23. Specific use of the money would: Improve facilities and maintenance at Armitage Park, Howard Buford, Mt. Pisgah, Richardson; improve park security; conservation and restoration; and environmental education at Mt. Pisgah.
FIRE LEVY
■ Our recommendation: Vote YES
■ Our justification: The South Lane Fire and Rescue levy is a renewal of local taxes to support the work of SLF&R – funding multiple full-time positions and 24/7 ambulance service to Cottage Grove and Creswell. The levy is 47 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation for five years beginning ’23. It’s maintenance of services, not an increase, so it won’t raise your taxes. Funding the fire and rescue district is essential to keeping our homes, communities and families safe and healthy — and with the lengthening of fire seasons up and down the west coast, these services are key.