Parks in Independence, OR close due to funding dispute

Last week, officials in the Willamette Valley  city of Independence closed its parks, the museum and threatened closure of the library, although state law forestalls that action. A $30,000 grant from a nonprofit, Friends of the Community Parks, has allowed two city parks to remain open through the end of the year. 

The closures come  after voters shot down an operations levy in November 2024. In June, the city council passed fees totaling a net increase of $12.65 a month per household to pay for city parks, a museum and the library. The city says it has no choice but to suspend its services after a referendum to reverse fees on residents qualified for the November ballot.

Greg Ellis, the former city manager of Independence, led this referendum effort, and he joins us to discuss the closure of city services. Also joining us is Kate Schwarzler, the mayor of Independence.

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