Park Utility & SDC Charges

WHY IS A PARKS UTILITY FUND NEEDED?

Over the years many right-of-way and beautification areas were developed that have become the maintenance responsibility of the Medford Parks and Recreation Department.  However,  there were no dedicated funds to offset the cost of maintenance.  Examples of these include:

• Biddle Road
• Hwy 238 - Medford Entry Sign Area
• Phoenix/Foothill Road
• McAndrews Extension
• North Medford Interchange
•  Park Strips  - throughout Medford

In June 2005, the Medford City Council established the monthly per unit Park Utility Fee to help generate funds for maintenance of parkland, beautification areas and right-of-ways. In 2007, the purpose of the fee was expanded to include debt service for public recreation facilities, and the fee was changed from 31 cents to $2.95 per month.  In 2020, the City Council lowered the Storm Drain Fee to offset a $2.40 increase to the Park Utility Fee. As of July 15, 2020 the PUF is $5.35 per month.

The Park Utility Fee can be found in the Medford Municipal Code, Section 4.1001 through 4.1021.

WHO PAYS THE PARK UTILITY FUND (PUF)

Each developed parcel in the City of Medford will be assessed a per unit/monthly fee. Ordinance 2005-120 states that the person paying the City's water utility charges shall pay the fee. The fee commences upon connection to the water system, completion, occupancy, or use of improvements; whichever comes first. This fee will not show individually on your water statements but rather is included in the amount of the Street Utility Fee line item.

HOW MUCH IS COLLECTED?

The current PUF is currently $5.35 per month, per unit. In February 2007, City Council approved an additional fee of $2.56 per month to help pay for construction of U.S. Cellular Community Park (then known as the Medford Sports and Community Park). In June 2020, the City Council approved an increase of $2.40 per month to help construct the Medford Sports and Events Complex.

WHAT IS MEANT BY PER UNIT?

A unit is defined as a residential dwelling unit, business unit or tenant space.  If two dwelling units are associated with the water bill then the charge will be the monthly fee x 2 units, if a business complex has 4 units the charge will be the monthly fee x 4 units.

ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS TO THE FEE?

Yes, MMC 4.1021 allows for fees to not be assessed when the property is unoccupied. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 541-774-2140, or e-mail utilities@cityofmedford.org to make a request.

WHAT IS AN SDC?

System Development Charges (SDCs) are one-time fees assessed on new development to cover a portion of the cost of providing specific types of public infrastructure.

WHY DO WE HAVE PARK SDCS?

Medford is the largest city in Southern Oregon and a regional provider of park and recreation services. Population growth increases the demand for parks and recreation facilities.

WHO PAYS PARK SDCS?

SDC’s have been collected on all new development in the City since 1980. Existing residences and businesses paid for their share when constructed. As new development takes place, it pays for additional upgrades or additions to the infrastructure system.

One such document is the Leisure Services Plan

HOW ARE PARK SDCS CALCULATED?

Long-term master plans forecast infrastructure needs which the City’s growth will require.  These plans are  used to calculate the SDC revenue that will be required to construct those projects.

WHAT DO PARK SDCS PAY FOR?

The Parks SDC is required of all new development and is used to purchase and develop land and other park facilities that have been approved through the required methodology and project list for developing such a fee.