Following a lengthy public hearing on Wednesday, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners approved a citizen petition that withdraws a property from the local library district.
The Board voted 2-1 to approve the petition submitted by the Mike & Winnie Pelfrey Trust to withdraw their property from the Josephine Community Library District. Commissioner Dan DeYoung cast the lone dissenting vote.
Both Mike and Winnie Pelfrey testified that the library district does not benefit their property, but a district representative contended that the "wrong" decision sets a bad precedent that will be felt across the state. There was ample public testimony both for and against the withdrawal petition. For the record, withdrawing their property from the library district will save the Pelfreys $111.63 each year in taxes.
It should be noted that Mike Pelfrey is an outspoken government critic who was defeated in a recent attempt to be elected to the JCLD Board of Directors.
Commissioners Herman Baertschiger and John West said since property owners have the right to opt in to the library district, they should also have the option to opt out. Commissioner DeYoung said the state statute regarding district inclusions and exclusions was vague, and he was not ready to make that decision.
In other business, the Board unanimously approved the certified results of the November 7th special election and formed the Josephine County Law Enforcement District. Property owners outside the City of Grants Pass will pay 99 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value to support the district, which was officially passed by 299 votes. The district is designed to provide rural residents with stable and long-term funding for law enforcement services.
