Citizens push 5-year, $1.12-per-$1,000 law-enforcement levy as commissioners press sheriff for data and oversight

A citizen committee supporting a May ballot levy told the Curry County Board of Commissioners on April 15 that the measure would restore patrol deputies and dispatchers and make certain sheriff's-office costs financially independent of the county.

The presentation, delivered by George Cockerham, said the proposed levy is "a dollar 12 per thousand of assessed property value" and, using the county assessor's figures, "will cost about 602 per day." Cockerham said the five-year levy would fund five patrol deputies, a sergeant and two dispatchers and be held in a restricted account overseen by the county treasurer and a five-member citizensboard.

Why it matters: Commissioners and many residents framed the levy as urgent because local law enforcement staffing has dropped; several commissioners and members of the public said they lack basic statistics about calls for service, response levels and the sheriff's operational protocols. The levy and the broader question of sheriff oversight dominated the meeting and prompted calls for more public information and for the sheriff to appear at future meetings.

Commissioners pressed for data and explanation. Chair Brad Alcorn opened the presentation with a public-disclosure disclaimer and later repeated that "this information was not provided or distributed by the Curry County Board of Commissioners or any employees of Curry County." Commissioner Patrick Hollinger and Commissioner Jay Trost repeatedly asked for operational statistics and for the sheriff to brief the public on how additional deputies would change the office's response protocols.

Concerns raised at the meeting included a MarchandApril loss of revenue streams previously directed to the sheriff's office, the transfer of roughly $1.18million from road funds historically used for patrol, and an assertion by the presenter that freeing sheriff-funded expense lines would leave the county with "a little more than $2,000,000" in general and road funds.

Allegations to state agencies: Commissioners described documents they say were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Justice and flagged problems that county staff reported to the Oregon State Marine Board and the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. Brad Alcorn said county staff discovered what they believe were inaccurate marine-patrol inspection reports submitted to the Marine Board; that matter, he said, has been referred to the Department of Justice. The county also raised questions about canine-certification and training records, which staff have shared with outside agencies, Alcorn said.

Public commenters and officials offered views on the levy. Rea Klein, a Curry County resident, urged voters to study details before voting and offered a checklist of nine questions about levy design, tax impact and oversight. The Port Orford mayor asked commissioners to include a letter of support for a separate water-project appropriation on the consent agenda.

Support from emergency services: Cockerham read a statement attributed to Dan Bratton, identified in the presentation as CEO of Cal-Ore Life Flight, saying "Having on duty sheriff deputies in Curry County plays an integral role in providing the highest quality emergency medical services possible" and urging a yes vote.

Commissionersresponses: Trost said he supports funding public safety but criticized the sheriff's management, saying, "I do not support the sheriff for the way he's running the organization." Hollinger said he supports a sheriff who will work with the board and stressed the commissionersfiduciary duty to ensure public funds are spent with oversight and sustainability.

No final county action on the levy was taken at the meeting; the presentation was informational and part of the public record.

Ending: Commissioners directed staff to pursue additional public briefings and asked that the sheriff or sheriff's representatives provide clearer statistics and an explanation of response protocols before commissioners make further funding or policy decisions.