The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the Josephine County Board of Commissioners to adopt a final budget that fully funds the Sheriff's Office -- not the reduced version approved by the Budget Committee this week.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the formation of the Josephine County Law Enforcement District in 2023 with a clear expectation that their increased tax investment would finally provide 24/7 patrol coverage and restore public safety services to full capacity.
The Sheriff's proposed budget reflected that commitment -- requesting nearly $2 million less in general fund support than previous years, thanks to the passage of the district.
On Monday, the Josephine County Budget Committee voted unanimously to approve a countywide budget that included a 12% cut to general fund allocations for most departments -- excluding the Sheriff's Office -- but did not adopt the full Sheriff's budget as requested. Instead, the committee approved a version presented by the Budget Officer, which falls short of the staffing and service levels necessary to meet voter expectations.
The Chamber contends public safety is not just a line item -- it's the backbone of a thriving, economically resilient community. Underfunding the Sheriff's Office undermines public trust and the commitment made to voters in 2023.
The Chamber is calling on the Board of Commissioners to make the needed corrections before adopting the final county budget next week and to fully fund the Sheriff's budget as originally submitted. Doing so will demonstrate respect for the will of the voters, a commitment to public safety and responsible fiscal planning.
