Nearly 100 local measures on primary ballots across Oregon, many to fund struggling fire districts
Fire
How to fund fire departments is by far the most common question local voters will decide across Oregon. In 12 counties, 28 fire districts are asking voters for a tax levy or bond to help pay for staff and operations, and one fire district in Sandy is asking voters about being annexed into the Clackamas Fire District.
Libraries, parks and schools
Fire districts aren’t the only public service providers hamstrung by revenue losses from Measures 5 and 50. Voters in 16 counties are being asked to approve a new bond or property tax increase, or renew one, to help fund schools, parks and libraries.
City charters
In 10 cities and one county, more than a dozen measures would change or modernize local charters, which are a sort of local constitution laying out local governance rules.
Annexation
Voters in Benton County will review the most ballot measures of any county in Oregon, and those in Philomath will have the greatest number of hyperlocal measures to decide. There are seven separate proposals to annex “island territories” that are not technically part of Philomath but are surrounded by enough of the city that residents and businesses on the islands receive city services without paying into the tax base that covers the cost of those services.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/05/07/nearly-100-local-measures-on-primary-ballots-across-oregon-many-to-fund-struggling-fire-districts/