Volunteer; Non- Position - Parks Levy Oversight Committee

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In November 2025, Portland voters approved a 2025 Parks Local Option Levy to support neighborhood parks maintenance and cleanliness, protect nature in a changing climate, and preserve program access. The 2025 Parks Levy funds Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) operations and includes a small amount for capital maintenance projects.

The ballot language committed to the appointment of a five‑member community oversight committee to review levy expenditures and performance; report to PP&R and City Council on transparency, fiscal accountability, and adherence to ballot language; and produce annual reports.

• Review 2025 Parks Levy expenditures and performance
• Write and present an annual report reviewing Parks Levy transparency, fiscal accountability, and adherence to ballot language for each fiscal year of the 2025 Parks Levy
• Provide feedback to PP&R about bureau programs and initiatives supported by the 2025 Parks Levy
• Ensure the 2025 Parks Levy is spent in accordance with ballot language and commitments

Total Number of Advisory Seats: 5

Number of Seats Available: 5

* One additional seat is open on the 2020 Parks Levy Oversight Committee. This recruitment will also be used to fill that open seat, as selected applicants have interest.

To be eligible for the advisory committee, members must live in the City of Portland and be users of the PP&R system.

We hope people from every part of Portland will share their voice on this committee. If you want to serve your community and help government make informed choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below will guide our selection process. It is helpful if you are specific in your answers. We do not expect you to be or have everything listed.

• You have interest, experience, and/or knowledge of the 2025 Parks Levy
• You are available to attend all meetings, participate in discussions, and are committed to being responsive and engaged
• You have experience overseeing, providing, or delivering parks and recreation services
• You want positive and long‑lasting outcomes for communities who have been left out and communities which have been or are underserved
• You are interested and/or have experience in improvement and optimization of City service delivery

• Every other month meetings will take place on weekday evenings. By consensus, committee members can modify the meeting pace or time as needed.
• Members are seated for a two‑year term, with no more than 8 consecutive years of service allowed.
• The anticipated time commitment is 2‑6 hours per month.
• Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time. Meeting materials for review may be sent with minimal time to review, possibly as little as one day in advance.

• In‑person meeting attendance is encouraged but virtual participation is available.
• Translations (verbal and written) or interpreters are available upon request. We try to translate written materials but may not be able to provide translation on all meeting documents, and dialects may be different than your home region.
• Let us know if there are barriers to your participation. Snacks will be provided at in‑person meetings. Public transportation of parking passes will be available if you need those to fully participate.

People who join this committee will become “Public Officials,” which means that while you serve you must behave fairly and ethically. We will provide training on this to members. Part of following Public Officials Ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a “Conflict of Interest.”

If you tell us about potential Conflicts of Interest that does not mean you cannot serve; in fact, many committees have potential members with Conflicts of Interest. Please mention possible Conflicts of Interest on the application form.

The City is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Completing the demographic information on the application is voluntary, but we encourage you to provide that…