The Josephine County Board of Commissioners was convinced on Wednesday by a packed house of military veterans and supporters to refer a ballot measure that would fund the Veterans Services Office to the November General Election.
After nearly 90 minutes of public testimony, the Board voted 2-0 to approve a resolution to refer a five-year local option tax to voters on November 5th. Board Vice-Chair Herman Baertschiger was absent.
If approved, property owners will pay 5 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value each year -- or $15 annually for a property valued at $300,000. Numerous local veterans testified in support of moving the levy forward as opposed to placing an advisory question on the ballot and then postponing the levy until next May.
Veterans Services Director Lisa Pickart said the funding will help stabilize the approximately 9,000 military veterans in Josephine County and remove the need to take money from the general fund that could be better spent on law enforcement.
In other business, the Board approved an order that repeals policy and procedures for Commissioner liaisons for individual departments and advisory boards. Legal Counsel Stephanie Nutall said some department heads expressed concern about a lower level of specialized knowledge of specific departments. However, both Commissioners John West and Andreas Blech said the policy will likely be rewritten and revised in the near future.
The Commissioners tabled another order dealing with the allocation of general fund dollars to county departments until next week.
The Board also approved an order authorizing a Sheriff's Sale of county-owned properties for September 10th. Property Manager Helene Lulich said 11 properties that did not sell in the July sale can be acquired through sealed bids.
