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OLSD WEBSITE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT FOR COUNTY VOTERS PAMPHLET Filed with Clackamas County Elections Office on 1/4/05 Election Date: March 8, 2005 Ballot Title Caption: Provide for Regionalization of Wastewater Treatment at a Single Facility Question: Shall Oak Lodge Sanitary District join with others to provide wastewater treatment at a single regional facility? Name of Person Responsible for Content of Statement: R. Kent Squires, District Secretary Name of Organization Person Represents: Oak Lodge Sanitary District Work Phone: 503/653-1653 FAX #: 503/653-0586 Oak Lodge Sanitary District (OLSD) is a special service district providing wastewater treatment service to approximately 30,000 people in the Oak Grove/Jennings Lodge Area. It is governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected within the district Wastewater treatment services are also provided in the North Clackamas Urban Area by Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD1) and Tri-City Service District (TCSD), both county service districts whose governing body is the Board of County Commissioners CCSD1 provides service to approximately 70,000 people and TCSD provides service to approximately 55,000 The Oak Lodge Sanitary District Board of Directors and the Board of County Commissioners have conducted the Regional Wastewater Treatment Options Study to determine if wastewater treatment at a single facility is more efficient and economical, a prudent use of capital facilities, improves environmental protection and is beneficial to ratepayers Following this study and public meetings, the Oak Lodge Sanitary District Board of Directors has referred this measure to its citizens What does the measure call for? The measure asks voters whether Oak Lodge Sanitary District should join with CCSD1 and TCSD in a single regional wastewater treatment facility Why has this been placed on the ballot? The Board of Directors of Oak Lodge Sanitary District wants its Citizens to decide if the District should join with CCSD and TCSD in a single regional wastewater treatment facility If approved, what happens? If the voters of OLSD approve, and the Board of County Commissioners approve, then the respective Boards will jointly initiate proceedings in accordance with statute to consolidate wastewater treatment at a single location This may be formation of a new entity, merger or consolidation of several entities, or intergovernmental agreement, as the Board of Directors and Board of County Commissioners would determine This would be the subject of further public hearings Who would govern? It depends upon the statutory process chosen If it is a merger or consolidation, the new entity would be made up of an interim Board consisting of Oak Lodge Board Members as well as Board of County Commission Members Elections would occur within two-years to establish a governing body If it is a formation, a new Board may be elected to govern If it is an intergovernmental agreement, existing Boards will continue as they are today Will my property tax increase? NO. Each District is funded by system revenues in the form of user fees There is no property tax in any of these Districts related to wastewater treatment services What happens if this measure fails? The Board of Directors will not proceed further based upon this study SUMMARY Oak Lodge Sanitary District (OLSD). Clackamas County Service District No. 1 (CCSD) and Tri-City Service District (TCSD) have contiguous boundaries and provide wastewater treatment services to most of the North Clackamas County urban area The Board of Directors of OLSD and the Board of County Commissioners of Clackamas County (governing body of CCSD and TCSD) have caused studies to be performed to determine whether consolidation of wastewater treatment plants would result in a more efficient and economic provision of service, prudent use of capital facilities, environmental improvement and beneficial impacts on ratepayers The Board of Directors of OLSD has referred this matter to District voters A Yes vote is in favor of consolidation wastewater treatment plants If approved, the Board of Directors will proceed to follow Oregon law to join with CCSD and TCSD by formation, merger, consolidation or intergovernmental agreement to provide a single regional wastewater treatment plant There is no effect on property taxes as a result of a yes vote. . |
