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Curry County commissioners vote to place five-year law‑enforcement levy on May ballot
Summary
The Curry County Board of Commissioners voted 3‑0 to place a five‑year local-option tax (SEL 805) asking $1.12 per $1,000 assessed value on the May ballot to fund deputies, dispatch and search-and-rescue support.
Curry County commissioners voted unanimously on Dec. 19 to place a five‑year local‑option tax question (SEL 805) on the May ballot that would levy $1.12 per $1,000 of assessed property value to fund the sheriff’s patrol and 911 dispatch.
The measure as read into the record estimates initial annual revenue of about $4,280,920 to add five patrol deputies, two dispatchers and one sergeant, and to provide $122,605 toward marine and search‑and‑rescue costs. The board’s packet and reading said the levy is intended to replace roughly $1,180,000 of restricted road funds used for patrol and about $1,253,258 from the General Fund that currently help cover patrol and dispatch costs.
State Sen. David Brock Smith, who addressed the meeting, urged the board to assemble complete budget figures so voters can decide with accurate information. "I just hope that you have all the necessary information that you need from our public safety departments to be able to articulate that need to the residents of Curry County," he said.
Finance staff clarified that the levy estimate and staffing assumptions were prepared based on positions the levy was asked to fund and that the numbers reflect the information staff were provided when drafting the measure. Staff also noted statutory limits on political activity by public employees (ORS 260.423) when describing what county employees may or may not do during an election cycle.
The clerk read the proposed ballot language and budget summary at the meeting. After brief discussion commissioners moved and seconded the measure to be placed on the May ballot; the motion passed 3‑0.
The county said a five‑member citizen review board would be appointed to oversee levy funds if the measure passes and that unused funds would be restricted to levy‑provided personnel. The board did not take additional steps beyond placing the measure on the ballot; campaign planning, outreach and final ballot formatting will follow normal election procedures.
Next steps: SEL 805 will appear on the May ballot; if approved by voters the county will proceed with hiring and budgeting as specified in the measure.
