Cultural Arts Commission Vacancies
The City of Sherwood is currently accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Sherwood Cultural Arts Commission. Applicants must be Sherwood residents and have an interest in developing Cultural Arts programs and activities in the community. The Sherwood Cultural Arts Commission meets at 6:30 pm, the fourth Tuesday of each month. Specific questions regarding the Cultural Arts Commission may be directed to the Community Services Director at 503-625-4210 or the Event and Volunteer Coordinator at 503-625-4251.

Applications for City boards and commissions can be obtained on the City website at www.ci.sherwood.or.us/application.pdf or by contacting the City Recorder's office at 503-625-4246.

Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Honored
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge has received Sunset Magazine's 2007 Environmental Award for being a piece of "preserved paradise." The refuge was included on a list of 10 winners Sunset honored in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico and Utah. The awards are detailed in the magazine's March edition.

The 1,358-acre refuge, just off Oregon 99W, about 15 miles southwest of Portland, was opened to the public last June, offering a network of walking trails through varying habitats, as well as a wildlife photography blind and a pier for handicapped fishermen. An interpretive center remains under construction. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has approved plans to expand the refuge to more than 3,000 acres.

The refuge is home to more than 50 types of mammals, 20 species of reptiles and more than 200 species of birds. In late winter and early spring, cackling Canada geese, northern pintails and mallards blanket the marsh. Fish & Wildlife staff members, with the help of volunteers, have been working to restore habitat at the refuge to its natural state.

I-5 to 99W Connector Project
Regional and local transportation plans have recognized the need for a transportation improvement between I-5 and Highway 99W for more than a decade. With more people and freight going to destinations in Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood and Wilsonville, as well as through these areas to access the highway system, the streets and highways in the area have become congested. Washington County, Metro and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are jointly leading the I-5 to 99W Connector Study to address this regional problem. The Oregon Transportation Commission has recently designated this as a project of statewide significance. More information is available on the project web site at www.i5to99w.org.


Property Taxes and the Sherwood Urban Renewal District
If you live in Sherwood, you will see a line on your tax statement that refers to Urban Renewal – Sherwood. The urban renewal district is a defined area of the City in which redevelopment projects are being funded.

Urban renewal is not a new tax. What happens is a portion of the taxes you pay to taxing entities that overlap the urban renewal district are used to fund urban renewal efforts. Urban renewal agencies (URA)s receive amounts that would otherwise have been paid to other taxing districts.

The amount the URA receives is determined by the increase in assessed value in the urban renewal district since its formation in 2001. It is calculated by subtracting a share from all overlapping taxing entities in the City. Because of the calculation mechanism, the portion redirected to the URA shows on tax bills for all properties in the City, not just those in the urban renewal district.

More information about the URA and property taxes in general can be found in the 2006-07 budget on the City’s website at www.ci.sherwood.or.us, or by calling the Finance department at 625-4236. Detailed questions about the calculation of your tax bill should be addressed to the Washington County Department of Assessment and Taxation at 503-846-8741.

Old Town Facade Grant Program
The Old Town Façade Grant Program was created to provide money for the upgrade and renewal of Commercial Buildings in the Old Town area. Business owners in the Old Town Overlay Zone, can qualify for up to $15,000.00 in grant funds. more (pdf)