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Sheriff seeks 10 new patrol positions, urges renewal of levy that funds jail
Summary
Sheriff Dave Daniel asked the Josephine County Budget Committee to add 10 patrol positions and to plan for renewal of a five-year jail levy due to expire in 2027, saying competitive pay and investments in technology and transparency are needed to address vacancies and long-term sustainability.
Sheriff Dave Daniel told the Josephine County Budget Committee on June 2 that the Sheriff’s Office is asking for 10 additional full‑time equivalent patrol positions and urged county leaders to plan now for a five‑year jail levy that expires in 2027.
Daniel laid out the Sheriff’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget covering Adult Jail, Animal Shelter and Control, Patrol, Dispatch, Evidence, Court Security, Search and Rescue, Marine Patrol, Civil Division, administration and the JMET unit. He said recruitment and retention remain acute problems and recommended competitive compensation, staff wellness and training to reduce turnover.
The Sheriff’s Office presentation identified the jail levy as the primary revenue source for adult jail operations and noted that the current five‑year levy expires in 2027; Daniel recommended preparing a five‑year financial plan that models county operations both with and without levy revenue. He also asked the committee to consider adding 10 FTEs to patrol/major crimes to address staffing shortages and sustain service levels.
Daniel described several operational and transparency initiatives in the budget, including expanded digital services (a county Sheriff App and online services for commissary and visitation), e‑citation, and a plan to deploy body‑worn cameras and in‑vehicle dash cameras to increase accountability. The presentation also proposes monthly LESD (Law Enforcement Service District) reporting to the public and reserving funds for vehicle replacement and facilities maintenance.
On animal services, the packet states the Animal Shelter/Control is funded primarily by a renewed five‑year levy (listed at $0.16 per $1,000 of assessed value) and proposes ongoing training, cross‑training of ACOs and deputies, and better public-facing resources to reduce non‑emergency calls.
Public commenter Bill Ertl, a Josephine County resident, spoke in support of the Law Enforcement Service District Advisory Committee and the Sheriff’s budget request. The committee confirmed a follow‑up meeting for June 4 to continue budget deliberations.
The Budget Committee did not take a formal vote on the Sheriff’s requests during the June 2 session; next procedural steps include additional budget committee review and the June 4 meeting.
