UMATILLA, Ore.-Umatilla residents will again consider a bond measure to fund construction of a new police station.
The Umatilla City Council has approved referring Bond Measure 30-168, which would raise $19.8 million for a new police station, to the November 4, 2025 ballot.
According to the City of Umatilla, 93.5 percent of the project’s cost would be paid for by data centers operating within the City’s enterprise zone, while residents would see an estimated annual tax rate of 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Voters previously rejected Bond Measure 30-167, which would have funded a new Umatilla PD station, in the May 20 special election.
“We heard clearly from the Umatilla community that concerns about cost are a priority,” said City Manager David Stockdale.
To address the costs associated with the new station, Umatilla’s City Council also approved a Public Safety Center Credit that will take effect if the bond passes.
According to the City, the Public Safety Center Credit will offset the cost of the station for residents by providing a yearly credit equal to each household’s general obligation bond payment.
“This plan directly addresses that concern by ensuring that residents’ bond payments will be offset while still unlocking an unprecedented funding source available through our enterprise zone partners,” said Stockdale.
The current UPD station is outdated and no longer meets the operational or safety needs of the department, according to the City. The new station would provide UPD with adequate resources and space, including secure interview rooms, expanded evidence storage, mental and physical wellness space for officers, and a community room for meetings and events.
More information on Bond Measure 30-168 is available online and residents with questions may contact the City of Umatilla at 541.922.3226.
