Legal NoticesApproved Ballot Title for Initiative Petition P-2014-13
BALLOT TITLE
For Patrol, Jail, Shelter of Abused Youth; Five Year Levy.
QUESTION
Shall County increase deputies, dispatchers, jail capacity, juvenile facilities; cost of $1.40 per $1,000 assessed value; five years beginning 2015/16? This measure may cause property taxes to increase more than three percent.
SUMMARY
Passage of this measure will, subject to required budgetary process and limitations:
- Provide funding for 16 Sheriff’s deputies (including patrol cars) and four 911 dispatchers, to increase Sheriff’s patrols and provide necessary emergency response.
- Increase Sheriff’s patrols during times of heightened criminal activity;
- Allow Sheriff to enforce laws when individuals engage in illegal activities, which impacts residents in both the rural and urban sections of Josephine County;
- Provide funding to increase jail capacity to 160 beds, keeping those convicted of violent crimes in jail;
- Provide funding to re-open Juvenile Justice Center to shelter abused youth and counsel local youth in crisis;
- Create a better business and job environment by improving public safety in Josephine County.
To ensure accountability, a Citizens' Oversight Committee will be created; plus an annual independent audit, with findings made public.
This measure will generate revenue for five years beginning in 2015. The estimated tax raised by this levy is 2015/16-$9,090,600; 2016/17-$9,662,200; 2017/18-$9,952,000, 2018/19-$10,250,600, and 2019/20-$10,558,100 for a total of $49,513,500. For the median home in Josephine County, valued at $158,625, annual property tax will increase by $222.
After five years, this tax automatically sunsets, unless re-approved by Josephine County voters.
