Scappoose council endorses Columbia County jail levy renewal; resolution passes

The Scappoose City Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt a resolution supporting Columbia County Measure 5,304, a four-year renewal of the county jail operating levy at the current rate of $0.5797 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Sheriff Pixley told the council the measure is a straight renewal at the same rate residents have paid since the levy was first approved and that the renewal would not raise taxes. “Were asking voters to renew the existing levy, same rate of 580 per $1,000,” Pixley said, adding the levy funds are used to keep the jail open and to support programs such as rehabilitation, mental-health care and substance-abuse services.

The sheriff said the county has relied on levies since 2014, with renewals in 2017 and 2020, and that without the renewal the jail would face capacity cuts. “If this levy fails, you run out of funding on June 30. Ill have a $3,900,000 pool in my budget. Thats kind of the reality Im facing right now,” Pixley said. He told councilors the county plans to rent additional beds to the U.S. Marshals Service to help balance finances if necessary.

Councilors pressed on long-term funding. Councilor Jacobs asked whether levies are appropriate for ongoing costs and what alternatives exist to stabilize finances. Pixley said a permanent taxing district could replace recurring levies and provide stable funding for the jail and county law enforcement, but he framed that as a county-level policy choice rather than a city action.

Councilors and the sheriff discussed campaign support and outreach. Pixley encouraged grassroots efforts and said yard signs were being printed; he also said county supporters would attend community events to raise awareness. “This can help people turn their lives around and help reduce repeat offenders,” Pixley said, urging residents to consider broader community benefits when they vote.

The council then considered and passed a resolution titled in the meeting as support for Columbia County Measure 5,304. Councilor Haugen moved to approve the resolution; Councilor Jacobs seconded. The mayor called for the ayes and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve Resolution supporting Columbia County Measure 5,304 (renewal of a four-year jail operating levy at $0.5797 per $1,000): mover Councilor Haugen; second Councilor Jacobs; outcome: approved (voice vote). - Consent agenda approval (work session minutes 03/17/2025 and council liaison appointments): mover Councilor Haugen; second Councilor LaFrenz; outcome: approved (voice vote). (See meeting minutes for full consent-agenda contents.)

Why it matters: The county levy provides operating funds for the Columbia County Jail, which holds people arrested by local law enforcement. City leaders said Scappoose experiences public-safety impacts because of its proximity to Multnomah County and Portland-area crime patterns, and councilors told residents the renewal would maintain current services rather than increase the tax rate.

The sheriff asked the council to encourage constituents to vote and to help spread informational materials. The council did not adopt any new citywide tax or funding measure; the action taken was an endorsement of the county ballot measure and a statement of support by the Scappoose City Council.

The council moved into an executive session after the public meeting and did not take additional public actions afterward.