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Board approves 5-year local-option levy proposal for Black Butte Ranch to fund police services
Summary
Deschutes County commissioners agreed to submit a measure to Black Butte Ranch electors asking to replace a sunsetting 65¢ local-option levy with a 78¢ levy for five years to fund law enforcement services; county lawyers will forward the resolution to the clerk for publication and placement on the May ballot.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to submit to electors of the Black Butte Ranch Service District a proposed five-year local-option levy to fund law enforcement services.
The measure would replace an expiring 65¢ levy with a proposed 78¢ rate. "This is increasing from a 65¢ levy that will be expiring to 78¢," said Dave Doyle, the county attorney, describing the procedural step to place the question on the May ballot.
Local officials explained the reasons for the rate increase. Chief Todd Rich of the Black Butte Ranch Police Department asked the board to support the proposal, citing rising costs such as increased PERS contributions, negotiated pay for officers and sharply higher health insurance costs. "It will help us fund items such as increased costs for our PERS. We are also negotiating new contract for officers, trying to get them a little bit closer to a reasonable pay wage...and also will help with cover some gaps in our health insurance plan," Rich said.
Susan Waddell, chair of the Black Butte District Managing Board, said the district had reduced sworn officers from seven to six as a cost-cutting measure and sought to maintain existing coverage. Doyle and the chief noted the measure has historically passed by wide margins in the district.
Board action and vote: After a public hearing and testimony by Chief Rich and Chair Waddell, Commissioner motion and second carried. Commissioners voted in the affirmative and the board instructed staff to forward Resolution 2025-002 to the clerk for publication and placement on the May ballot.
Context: Doyle said this is a regular five-year levy renewal cycle for the district and suggested the managing board consider a permanent reform at some point to avoid repeated short-term levies. The board did not adopt any change to the proposed rate or ballot language at the hearing.
Next steps: If the resolution stands, county staff will publish the measure and the question will appear on the May ballot for Black Butte Ranch Service District electors to decide.
