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FAQ
What is a Special District?
A special
district is a unit of local government formed by the
residents of an area to provide a needed community service.
Throughout Oregon, approximately 950 special service
districts provide a broad range of community services.
State statutes (ORS 198.010 and 198.335) provide for the
creation of the following 28 types of districts:
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- Regional Air Quality Control
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- Soil and Water Conservation
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Most special districts have the authority to tax property
inside their boundaries to finance the services they
provide, and are all directed by a governing body elected by
the voters. Oregon residents depend on special
districts to provide the services that they rely on every
day. Calling a 911 dispatch center; relying on the
fast response from the fire department; drinking clean
water; using electricity; having a picnic in the park;
driving on roads that are well maintained, and taking the
bus to work are all examples of services made possible with
the help of special districts.
The Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) was
established in 1977 to pursue the common interests and
concerns of special districts. SDAO provides a broad
range of support services to member districts throughout the
state in the areas of research and technical assistance,
legislative representation, training programs, insurance
services, information and reference materials, financing
services, and employee benefits programs.
If you have a
question about special districts, call the SDAO office at
(503) 371-8667 or 800-285-5461. |
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