Gresham voters again consider public safety tax

GRESHAM, Ore. — In less than two weeks, Gresham voters will decide whether to approve a five-year levy that would bolster the ranks of first responders. The proposal makes key changes from another similar ballot measure that failed last year.

On Thursday, the fire department held an open house at Station 74 to give the public an opportunity to learn and see up close what the fire department currently has – and what it currently lacks.

“The population of the city of Gresham has increased significantly over the years, while we have the same number of firefighters that we have had every day since 1990,” said Kevin Larson, president of the Gresham Fire union. “We haven’t grown to keep up with call volume or population.”

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Larson hopes the community understands the growing need to retain positions and increase staffing levels.

“We’re at a breaking point and we need help. We’re hoping the community will come forward and say we want to invest in public safety,” he said.

The measure would cost $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay about $25.65 a month, or about $308 a year, according to the city.

In addition to funding 13 new firefighters — which would improve response times and add a new rescue truck to Gresham’s busiest fire station — the proposed levy would fund nine new sworn police officers.

“We’re behind on the eighth. We’re trying to catch up,” said Sgt. Matt Galbreath, president of the Gresham Police Officers Association. “This levy is still well below delivery standards…I think we can do it. I think the community can do it, but they have to want to do it.”

In 2023, voters rejected a similar levy, which also included funding for homeless services as part of the proposal. The new levy focuses solely on public safety.

“They had it in front of them a year ago,” Galbreath said. “The value of that was changed by $1.50, and it was reduced to hopefully get a yes vote, because the need is realistic and the need for the police department is exponential.”

Both unions say they fear the consequences for both departments if voters reject the funding.

“Fire departments, police departments, we want to be able to serve, but we only have so many resources to put into it,” Galbreath said.

“We want to be the fire department that responds — and minutes count,” Larson said. “It’s really important that we get there.”

The City of Gresham has a detailed Q&A page on its website.

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