Mayor's Corner: The Balancing Act: Housing and Employment
Five years ago, your city council dramatically shifted how we think about growth. We recognized that our continued focus on building housing must be balanced with economic growth. In simple terms, we need to encourage growth in high-quality jobs as we work to diversify our housing options. We must do this in a way compatible with our community values.
Sherwood has seen significant growth over the last 30 years, and we have done a great job of managing the development. A simple walk through our community proves that Sherwood is genuinely one of the best places to live in Oregon. As we plan today, we want to ensure that Sherwood is a great place to live for the next 30 years.
One of the primary objectives of economic development efforts is ensuring a symbiotic relationship between housing and job growth. With around 9,000 of our residents commuting daily to external jobs, only a fraction, approximately 900, both live and work within Sherwood's boundaries. This imbalance is not just a statistic; it reflects lost family dinners, missed soccer games, and prolonged hours on the road - all of which significantly impact our community's quality of life.
By providing opportunities for residents to work within Sherwood, we not only reclaim lost time but also create a sustainable, environment-friendly community. Shorter commutes translate to reduced carbon footprints, further enhancing our commitment to the environment.
Maintaining a balance between housing and job opportunities is crucial for the financial stability of our community and overall quality of life. Approximately 29% of your property tax payment goes toward the city, while the remaining amount is distributed among other taxing agencies such as the county, TVFR, and schools. These city funds are utilized for public safety, transportation system maintenance, senior centers, parks, library, and the arts center, among other essential services. The city's primary funding source is from these taxes, and a change in the ratio of residential and job lands can positively impact the city's financial strength.
For every dollar of residential property taxes that the city brings in, it costs us approximately $1.25 to provide services and maintain infrastructure. Jobs land, however, only costs us between $0.50 to $0.75 for every dollar we bring in. Encouraging economic development brings balance to tax rolls and allows us to stretch our city funds further
and continue to provide outstanding services to our community without asking for additional taxes like many cities around us do.
Our proactive city planning efforts included lobbying for federal funds and receiving (three million dollars) to construct a road through the Tonquin Employment Area, a vital location between Sherwood and Tualatin. This infrastructure development is a significant milestone towards our vision, as it enhances connectivity and prepares the land for industrial development, making it an ideal location for businesses to set up their establishments.
The construction of 124th Street from Tualatin Sherwood Road to North Wilsonville was a major win. It opened up land for development and freight traffic, leading to investments in our community.
The fruits of these efforts are already visible. High-tech giants like Lam Research, DW Fritz, and NSI have chosen Sherwood as their home, signaling a new era of technological advancement for our city.
One last important note: The city has been collaborating with the community to plan for the next 20 to 30 years, focusing on the vision for the Sherwood West urban reserves. I think it's a good idea for everyone to look at the plan, which was developed by a committee of Sherwood residents and involved extensive public outreach. The planning commission and the city council have approved the plan. It outlines our goal of integrating job and residential lands with buffers and ample parks and trails that utilize the natural environment.
This plan will be a critical part of the council's conversation over the next three months as we consider asking Metro to extend the Urban Growth Boundary. We would like to hear from you as we think about this question.
As your Mayor, I am deeply invested in ensuring that the city's growth does not overshadow its character. By emphasizing high-quality job opportunities, we are crafting a narrative where Sherwood’s residents don't just live here but also thrive professionally. This vision for Sherwood’s future - where community values and economic prosperity go hand in hand - is a journey we are committed to. With the continued support of our residents, it's a dream we believe will soon be a reality.