By SCOTT JORGENSEN
IVN Staff Writer

Josephine County Commissioner Dave Toler visited the Josephine County Democratic Central Committee meeting Thursday night, March 22 to seek support for a proposed May 15 public safety levy.

Toler began by giving a brief overview of the county’s reliance on federal O&C dollars, given in lieu of declining timber receipts.

“O&C federal money has dominated the county’s funding forever,” Toler said at Fruitdale Grange Hall in Grants Pass.

He pointed out that the county did not collect property taxes during the 1970s, due to an abundance of federal funds. These days, the county collects those taxes, but at a relatively low rate.

“Josephine County has the lowest permanent tax rate in the state of Oregon,” Toler said. “Now we’re paying for it.”

If the levy passes, Toler said, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) will be able to provide five around-the-clock-patrols; the county jail will be run at a 190-bed capacity; and the district attorney’s office will have 10 deputy D.A.’s.

Without federal funds or a levy, JCSO would be reduced to one patrol car for 20 hours out of each day, Toler said. The jail would operate at a 30-bed capacity “at the most,” and the D.A.’s office would be down to three deputy attorneys from its current nine.

Toler emphasized the need for Grants Pass city residents to support the levy. He said that if the levy fails, the “loudest scream” will come from them, as they are used to a higher level of service than county residents.

“If you’re in the city of Grants Pass, in some ways, you’ll be hit harder than rural areas,” Toler said.

Toler applauded Oregon’s federal representatives for their continuing attempts to secure O&C funds. However, their public proclamations could have the unintended consequence of compromising the levy passage.

“Those efforts are really making it difficult for our levy,” Toler said. “Voters are saying the problem is solved already.”

He said that user fees could be increased at some county agencies, and noted that the parks department’s $2 day-use fee is “going very well.” Funds collected through that fee have allowed the parks department to become self-sufficient, Toler said.

The county Democratic Central Committee then voted overwhelmingly to endorse the levy. Toler expressed much gratitude for that decision.

Josephine County Republican Central Committee Chairman Herb Carter said that Commissioner Dwight Ellis is scheduled to appear at that body’s meeting Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at Fruitdale Grange Hall.