Hood River County commissioners table Public Safety levy renewal to July 18

The Hood River County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously July 15 to table consideration of a proposed Public Safety levy renewal until a special meeting set for July 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Commissioner Chad Babitz moved to approve the resolution referring the levy renewal to voters; during debate counsel confirmed the ballot title and explanatory statement had been legally reviewed. Counsel Davies said the county would publish the ballot title to begin a seven-day challenge period and, following that period, file the required election paperwork with the county clerk; he noted circuit court is the remedy if a challenge proceeds. “Counsel Davies has reviewed the ballot title and explanatory statement as submitted,” the record shows.

Commissioners spent significant time on the wording of the ballot summary, discussing whether to explicitly state that the measure is a renewal at the current rate, to generalize references to patrol staffing and 24/7 coverage, and to remove references to COVID. Commissioners also raised a general funding consequence: staff reductions in the sheriff’s office and other departments may be necessary if voters do not approve the renewal. After debate, Commissioner Babitz moved to table the item until July 18; Commissioner Muenzer seconded, and the motion passed 4–0.

The board did not adopt final ballot language at the July 15 meeting. If the board proceeds after the special meeting, the county will publish the ballot title and explanatory statement to start the statutory challenge window and file the election paperwork ahead of the August 7, 2024 filing deadline referenced in the discussion.

Next steps: the levy item will return for formal action at the special meeting July 18, when the board may vote to adopt the ballot title and explanatory statement or make further edits before filing.