The Willamalane Park and Recreation District announced Wednesday, May 20, that it was rescheduling meetings of its Budget Committee because election results for its proposed levy remained too close to call.

Willamalane officials said in a news release that postponing the meetings, originally scheduled for May 27 and May 28, will allow additional results from the May 19 election to be considered before its fiscal year 2027 budget process progresses. 

The committee will now meet in June, with a date still to be set. The proposed budget will no longer be available on May 22 as previously announced. 

As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, Willamalane’s measure for a local option levy was losing by a slim margin, with 50.4% of voters saying “no” to an increase in property taxes to help maintain district services. According to Lane County election results, 6,733 people had cast votes against, versus 6,639 voting for the measure, a difference of 94 votes.

“If the levy is not passed, the district will not be able to sustain current service levels,” Willamalane Executive Director Michael Wargo said in the news release. “However, Willamalane is committed to serving our community and will find a way to continue to do so.” 

The levy, which would cost property owners an additional 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value, would supplement Willamalane’s permanent tax rate and would expire after five years. It is intended to prevent reductions in district staffing, programs and hours as costs outpace the district’s revenue growth.