THPRD News: Levy Task Force | Emergency Sheltering | September Events
#TualatinHillsPark&RecreationDistrict
THPRD Recruiting for a Levy Task Force:
THPRD is looking at options to stabilize funding for park and recreation services to maintain current service levels and to prepare for future needs and we need the public’s help. We are looking at an upcoming $16 Million gap in the operating budget, representing about 21% of the district’s annual budget. Without additional revenue sources, the district would be looking at closing facilities, reducing park and recreation services such as childcare programs, and having to reduce staffing by up to approximately 50 full-time employees and 250 part-time employees.
The THPRD Board of Directors has been reviewing stable funding options for months, including the possibility of asking voters to consider a local option levy for district operations as early as 2024, similar to many other local government agencies.
Community members are invited to apply to the Levy Task Force to provide guidance and assistance to the THPRD Board of Directors as they consider whether the district should pursue a local option levy and if so, what should the levy encompass. The final decision on whether to pursue a local option levy lies with the Board of Directors, however they will be utilizing the recommendations from the Levy Task Force to help inform their decision-making.
Interested? Apply now! Apply online at: www.thprd.org
Emergency Sheltering Grant Request:
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington, Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, THPRD Board President Alfredo Moreno, and many other local officials toured THPRD facilities at the H.M.T. Complex recently today to shine a spotlight on THPRD’s application for federal grant funding to aid in infrastructure improvements to support sheltering people during emergencies.
THPRD has applied for nearly $950,000 in federal funds that would provide vital infrastructure improvements to facilities to enable the district to provide more comfortable spaces to people during extreme emergencies.
THPRD has been activated 36 days over the past two years, providing cooling spaces during extreme heat waves, warming spaces during winter weather storms, and providing shelter during wildfire events.
“THPRD is honored to work with our county and city leaders to stand up shelters when the time comes,” said Board President Moreno. “Park and recreation centers are trusted community gathering spaces and it is vital we invest in these facilities to make sure they can take care of the community when called upon.”
THPRD expects to receive a final decision on the grant ask in late 2023. If successful, the proposed grant would add air conditioning to the Cedar Hills Recreation Center and Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center gyms as well as the tennis courts at the Babette Horenstein Tennis Center. The grant would also provide air filtration system upgrades to six THPRD facilities, improving air quality.
September Events
Cedar Mill Cider Fest Sunday, 9/24 ∙ 12:30 – 4 pm. Celebrate the history of this house which is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Washington County and is the last remaining above-ground resources associated with the cedar mill for which the community was named. John Quincy Adams Young House is located at 12050 NW Cornell Rd
Welcoming Week ∙ September 8-17. Welcoming Week is a series of nation-wide events led by Welcoming America a nonprofit leading a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. It is a broad network of nonprofits and local governments that work towards creating welcoming and inclusive spaces. Visit www.thprd.org for a listing of Welcoming Week events.
Visit www.thprd.org/events/ to find out more information about all these events and more!
