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Commissioners direct staff to pursue levy option adding 11‑member crime‑reduction team; staff to return refined ballot language
Summary
After hours of questioning on costs, fleet allocations and political timing, the board voted 5–0 to pursue Option 3 conceptually — maintaining services and funding an 11-member specialized crime‑reduction team — and directed staff to return within weeks with refined numbers and draft ballot language.
The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 directed staff to develop ballot language and detailed cost estimates for a public‑safety levy option that would preserve existing services and fund an 11‑member specialized crime‑reduction team.
Sheriff Angela Brandenburg and finance staff presented four levy options: maintain the current rate (0.3688¢ per $1,000 assessed value) and accept a reduction in sworn personnel; Option 2 (0.534¢) to maintain current services; Option 3 (0.608¢) to maintain services and add a specialized crime‑reduction team; and Option 4 (0.681¢) to add the crime team and fund a fleet replacement. Staff emphasized a Feb. 27 filing deadline to appear on the May 2026 ballot.
Commissioners pressed for underlying formulas and data. Commissioner Savas repeatedly sought the spreadsheet formulas and a clearer breakdown of personnel, "add‑to‑pay" incentive estimates and fleet allocations. Patrick Williams, finance manager for the sheriff's office, said personnel estimates are grounded in this year’s budgeted costs and in APOS reports; he described a 6.5% factor used to estimate incentive pays in projections.
Debate also centered on ballot timing. Commissioner West and others warned that a contentious transportation measure petitioned for May could affect turnout and the political environment. Commissioners discussed a strategy of asking for a larger package in May and, if it fails, considering a reduced ask in November.
After discussion, Commissioner Diana Helm moved to approve the Option 3 concept (maintain services and add the crime‑reduction team — 11 deputies) and to direct staff to return with refined numbers and draft ballot language; Commissioner Schroeder seconded. The motion passed 5–0.
Chair Roberts summarized the risk of not renewing the levy: "If this does not pass, we will have to close jail beds," underscoring potential service reductions if voters do not approve replacement funding.
Staff will return within three weeks with refined calculations, clearer fleet and personnel allocations, and proposed ballot wording for board review.
