Budget committee flags long-term strain as members debate up-to-$4 million for sheriff’s office

The Clackamas County Budget Committee on Feb. 10 reviewed midyear revenue and expense results and a general-fund forecast that staff said does not yet reflect two items discussed earlier that morning: a $7,000 Molalla pilot payment and a possible additional $4 million for the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).

Budget staff Sandra told the committee the quarter-to-date packet (July–Dec 2025) was balanced as presented and that, as of the last update, the county expects to be balanced through FY 2026–27. "As of last Thursday" she said, the forecast was balanced; however she warned that the unmodeled, ongoing $4 million expense for CCSO would likely push the county into a cumulative negative beginning around year eight and that it could take until about year 28 to return to balance if the expense continues.

Why it matters: commissioners said the supplemental raises long-term fiscal questions for a county already coping with an undercollected public safety levy and complex vacancy accounting. "We can't sustain…