we could be in Denver…
Though November seems a long way off, ballot time will be here before we know it. Voters in Josephine County will have the opprtunity to vote on two county service districts to fund sheriff’s office operations. If the funding passes, the sheriff’s office believes it could be operational to year-2000 (that’s supposed to mean something like 24/7 patrol) staffing levels within six years. If this doesn’t pass this election cycle, it’s a guarantee that a levy will be put before voters (those of us who haven’t pulled up stakes and fled) come May. Thereafter it’s anyone’s guess but the prospects for rebuilding increasingly grow slim.
A fairly straightforward graphical presentation of the fiscal situation facing Josephine County in FY2009 is available here. The presentation, by Brian Bailey, who served as chairman of the county budget committee, is worth consideration when trying to conceive of why the situation for law enforcment is so dire right now. Bailey will be in Cave Junction Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. in the County building.
So in a rational dialog responding to financial facts and figures, it seems one would conclude that, we need to make some changes.
Unfortunately, my experience of the “average voter” in this county will be, “Don’t tax me bro’!” and any attempt to increase funding from the local folks will go down in flames.
Bu that’s just me…