SOAR will seek local option tax levy in May

Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) will ask Sisters voters to approve a five-year local option levy in the May 17 election. SOAR will ask for 35 cents per $1,000 value property tax rate, with 24 cents needed to maintain programs and 11 cents targeted for capital improvements.

SOAR directors say the need to provide a permanent funding source for SOAR has become apparent as grant income sources have|diminished.

In 1998 SOAR went to the voters seeking stable funding to continue and expand operations. Voters approved a 22 cents per $1,000 value property tax rate, with 53 percent voting in favor and 37 percent opposed. That levy isongoing.

At that time the tax base was expected to cover about half of the organization’s projected budget. The stable funding base helped to match grants.

The new $1 million SOAR building was constructed through extensive grant and fund-raising efforts.

But, say directors, grant funding is becoming more difficult as sources dry up and demand increases.

Elimination of the Community Running Center Grant program by the U.S. government has had a huge impact on SOAR’s after-school tutoring, Teen Club supervision, and wilderness programs — to the tune of $85,000. Overall, SOAR has lost $100,000 in grant funding due to state and federal program cuts.

SOAR is looking at Phase 2, an 8,000-square-foot addition that will include an all-weather gymnasium, a senior center and expanded COCC classroom space at a cost of $650,000. SOAR Director Tom Coffield said that $85,000 of the new five-year tax levy would be used annually for matching funds needed to complete the project.

Other expansion plans include finishing the ball fields and construction of a skateboard park. The first ball field is nearing completion with substantial funding from the Kiwanis Club of Sisters and labor donated by local firms.