Josephine County, Ore — A hot topic for some time now, the deadline is nearing for a vote on yet another public safety levy in Josephine County.
Sheriff Dave Daniel says the levy is necessary for law enforcement to operate effectively in Josephine County.
Opponents of the measure say it’s a tax, and that’s money county residents can’t afford to spend.
On Tuesday Josephine County residents will vote on measure 17-66, a public safety levy that’s drawing a lot of heated debate.
“It’s needed for the women that are beaten and need help. It’s needed for the people that are being burglarized daily,” said Sheriff Daniel.
The levy would increase property taxes by three percent in the county to pay for new deputies, jail beds and reopen the juvenile center.
“So our kids that are not only in detention but the kids that are in the shelter, the kids that need help will have a place to go,” said Sheriff Daniel.
Opponents of the levy say it’s asking too much.
“It’s the eighth attempt to do this in 11 years, we keep voting them down, but somebody keeps bringing them up,” said Jack Swift.
Swift says he’s voted against public safety levies before but this is the first time he felt he needed to actively campaign against a measure.
“It rattles me that they say we need it and the way we vote says we don’t,” said Swift.
Sheriff Daniel says this time is different.
“It’s a lot about public safety, and creating a safe environment for our families and our kids and creating jobs.”
The debate has become so heated this time around that pastors in Grants Pass got involved.
“We’re just asking for their response, for their families, for their friends that visit and for their neighbors,” said Sheriff Daniel.
“We keep saying no, this time I hope it’s an emphatic no,” said Swift.
With just days left until ballots are counted the back and forth is far from over.
If the ballot measure fails Sheriff Daniel says the Department will have to reduce jail beds to 60 from 130 and let go of 12 jail employees.
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