Candidates for JOCO Board of Commissioners talk about proposed tax levy

Candidates for the Josephine County Board of Commissioners spoke at their first forum tonight.

The big topic continuously revisited — whether or not a tax levy should be passed to fund public safety services.

Candidates say over the years, a levy has failed nearly 11 times. Once again, Josephine County is trying to pass a four-year property tax that would help fund public safety services.

Many for and against the proposed tax levy voiced their opinions at the forum.

“They’re promising you enhanced law enforcement, enhanced prosecution, enhanced juvenile, enhanced jail… but they don’t tell you where the 40 million is going,” JOCO resident James Rossi said.

“Businesses don’t want to move here and people don’t want to live in this community because of our public safety in our county,” JOCO Chamber of Commerce CEO Colene Martin said.

The four candidates also talked about issues like creating jobs for Josephine County and improving trust with citizens.