MEASURE NO. 36-237 Heading to Voters: Bonds to build Recreation Center; update parks, senior center, library

The next scheduled election is Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Special Elections.

The City of McMinnville Elections Officer received a ballot title from the City Council via Resolution No. 2025-44 on July 22, 2025, for Referral No. 2025-01.

REFERRAL NO. 2025-01: MEASURE NO. 36-237: 

The City of McMinnville Elections Officer received a ballot title from the City Council via Resolution No. 2025-44 on July 22, 2025, for Referral No. 2025-01. No challenge to the ballot title was filed and Notice of Measure Election has been submitted. The Measure will now appear in the November 4, 2025 Special Elections. 

CAPTION:           Bonds to build Recreation Center; update parks, senior center, library

QUESTION:         Shall McMinnville build an aquatics/recreation center; enhance library, parks, senior center; issue bonds not exceeding $98,500,000; require citizen oversight?

If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.

SUMMARY:        McMinnville’s population has more than doubled since the last major renovations to many of the community facilities. City recreation facilities and parks have aging infrastructures and deferred maintenance.

This measure authorizes $98,500,000 principal amount of bonds for capital projects, expected to include: 

● Purchasing property and building a combined swim/aquatics and recreation facility.

● Renovating senior center.

● Expanding the children’s area and adding bathrooms at the library.

● Making improvements to some parks.

Since 2019 the City has worked with the community to design the projects, including reducing the price and scope of the projects from earlier proposals. If bonds are approved, the annual tax rate is estimated to increase by $0.95 per $1,000 of assessed value for bond payments.  Actual levy rate may differ due to final interest rates, changes in assessed value.  Bonds may be issued in multiple series; each maturing within 21 years of issuance.

The City would establish a citizen oversight committee to ensure proceeds are used for purposes indicated.

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More information, including the full ballot title: caption, question, and summary, is located under supporting documents and https://www.mcminnvilleoregon.gov/citycouncil/page/elections