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Board OKs sending five‑year law enforcement levy for Black Butte Ranch to voters
Summary
The county opened a public hearing and approved a resolution to submit a five‑year local option levy (increase from $0.65 to $0.78 per $1,000 assessed value) for Black Butte Ranch Service District law enforcement to the May ballot.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing and approved a resolution to place a five‑year local option levy for law enforcement services before voters in the Black Butte Ranch Service District.
County Attorney Dave Doyle explained the process and timeline, saying the resolution would begin the clerical steps to publish and place the measure on the May ballot. He described it as a recurring five‑year request for the district’s electors and noted the proposed rate increase from $0.65 to $0.78 per $1,000 assessed value.
Chief Todd Rich of the Black Butte Ranch Police Department told the board he supports the request, saying it will help cover rising costs: “I feel this is a a fair request of our community. It will help us, fund items such as, increased cost for our PERS. We are also negotiating new contract for officers, trying to get them a little bit closer to, a reasonable pay wage, compared to other officers in Central Oregon, and also will help with cover some gaps in our health insurance plan.”
Susan Waddell, chair of the Black Butte Ranch Managing Board, said the district had reduced sworn officers from seven to six and sought to preserve existing coverage while trimming other costs.
A commissioner asked about pre‑election polling; Chief Rich said no polling had been done during his roughly four months in the position but the measure historically passed at about a 70% rate, according to County Attorney Doyle.
Following public testimony and board questions about coverage and alternatives such as partnering with the county sheriff for traffic enforcement, a commissioner moved to approve Resolution 2025‑002 to submit the five‑year levy to electors. The motion was seconded and passed by roll call: Commissioner Dyer yes; Commissioner Chang yes; chair yes.
What’s next: If approved today, the clerk’s office will publish required notices and place the levy on the May ballot for voters in the Black Butte Ranch Service District to decide.
