Josephine County, Ore. — Local businesses, community groups and citizens of Josephine County are coming together again to try and address the county’s public safety crisis. On Friday the “Josephine County Safety Levy Committee” announced their effort to get a property tax levy placed on the November ballot.
A handful of previous attempts have failed at the ballot box, but supporters say because of increased crime it’s imperative that law enforcement have the resources necessary to keep them, the community and tourists safe.
“You can not protect all of your officers if they go into an uncertain situation and they don’t have backup,” citizen and committee member Josh Balloch says, “and that unfortunately is what we’re asking our deputies to do day in and day out and we need to do something to protect them while they’re protecting us.”
“We’ve gotta have people feel like this is the place to come,” Colene Martin, CEO of the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce says, “we spend a lot of our dollars and resources for advertising to get tourists here, we are a tourist destination and we have to have them feel safe too.”
As proposed, the 4 year levy would cost homeowners $1.42 for every $1,000 of assessed value– or just under $200 a year for a $200,000 house. They anticipate it will generate about 10-million dollars a year for public safety.
For more information or to get involved click HERE.
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