Yamhill County adopts FY 2025 budget, sets tax rate and approves selective pay restores for elected offices and public safety

The Yamhill County budget committee voted April 30 to adopt the county27s fiscal 2025 budget as amended, set the county property tax rate at $2.5775 per $1,000 of assessed value and approved a set of targeted additions to the budget for personnel and one-time equipment and service needs.

The committee approved a series of pay and staffing items recommended by the compensation committee and the county administrator, including a market adjustment for the county assessor and smaller adjustments for other elected offices and several one-time add-backs to support public safety and court operations.

Why it matters: The budget sets the county27s spending plan for the next fiscal year and keeps the property tax rate unchanged. The compensation and add-back votes affect public safety, the county27s ability to process court business and day-to-day service levels for several county programs. The committee emphasized caution about reserve levels and signaled further work on long-range budget sustainability.

What the committee approved and how it will be paid

Budget and tax rate - The committee approved the fiscal 2025 budget as amended and set the tax rate at $2.5775 per $1,000 assessed value. That rate is unchanged from the prior year.

Elected-official compensation (key votes) - Assessor: The committee approved a 6.5 percent increase for the county assessor (motion passed; recorded opposition: 1). The assessor had argued the increase was needed to reach 22department head22 pay levels and to retain staff; he framed the request as a market adjustment. He said, 22At some point, the jump's gotta happen or it doesn't happen at all.22 - Sheriff: The committee approved a 6.5 percent increase to the sheriff27s base pay (motion passed; recorded opposition: 1). Sheriff Sam Elliott noted pay compression with long‑tenured deputies and said he currently makes…