S moke S ignals
JANUARY 15, 2015
7
Tribe supports proposed public safety levy
By Ron Karten
Smoke Signals staff writer
Polk County’s possible effort to
pass a public safety tax levy in the
upcoming May election received
unreserved Tribal support at a pub-
lic hearing held in the Community
Center on Thursday, Jan. 8.
The public hearing at Grand
Ronde was one of nine scheduled
throughout Polk County to gauge
support before the Board of Com-
missioners make a final decision.
“Anything we can do,” said Tribal
Council Chair Reyn Leno on behalf
of the Tribe. “We know firsthand
the costs of operating these im-
portant public safety functions, and
we are sensitive to the difficulties
Polk County has in providing stable
revenues for its law enforcement
operations.”
The proposed levy
calls for a five-year
tax limited to 45 cents
per $1,000 of assessed
property value. For a
$200,000 home, the levy
would cost a homeown-
er an additional $90 a
year. For a $150,000
house, the levy would
cost $67.50 a year.
“If someone comes to
your house and kicks in
your door you are already out $90,”
Leno said. “In the past, criminals
broke into homes when no one was
around, but now they are going to
homes when people are there.
“The Tribe has a financial com-
mitment to the levy, and will be
paying the safety levy on our fee
land. It’s well worth it.”
In 2013, Polk County commis-
sioners placed a four-year public
safety levy of 60 cents per $1,000
of assessed property value on the
ballot. It was defeated by voters 58
percent to 42 percent.
Three members of the Polk Coun-
ty Board of Commissioners – Chair
Mike Ainsworth, and commis-
sioners Craig Pope and Jennifer
Wheeler – presented the county’s
case for the levy with the help of
Sheriff Robert Wolfe, District At-
torney Aaron Felton, Community
Corrections Director Marty Silber-
nagel and Administrative Services
Director Matt Hawkins.
County officials pointed to the
loss of Oregon and California Rail-
road Revested Lands federal fund-
ing, which amounted to a $2 million
annual loss for the county. Timber
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno
testifies on behalf of the Tribe
in support of the proposed Polk
County public safety levy during
a public hearing held at the Tribal
Community Center on Thursday,
Jan. 8. The Polk County Board of
Commissioners is considering
placing a levy on the May ballot that
would raise funds for public safety.
From a funding high point in
1989, overharvesting and the effect
of federal environmental legislation
have “decimated” federal timber
revenue for the county, said Haw-
kins, and pushed county budgets,
like Polk’s, to the breaking point.
operations on 2.4 million acres of
In the 2008-09 fiscal year, federal
federal forest land had for years
forests helped support 113 public
supported law enforcement, cor-
safety positions in Polk County. To-
rections, health and social service
day, the county has funds for 78.45
programs in Polk and 17 other
public safety full-time employees.
western Oregon counties.
The county budget also has suf-
fered from increas-
ing health care and
Public Employees
Retirement System
costs, slow increas-
es in property taxes
and a low permanent
tax rate. At the same
time, Polk County’s
population continues
to grow with 76,000
people now living in
the county.
Tribal Council member Tonya Gleason-Shepek
As a result, 15 full-
listens during a public hearing about a proposed
time patrol positions
Polk County public safety levy held at the Tribal
and 10 corrections
Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 8. In the
positions have been
background are Tribal Council Secretary Toby
eliminated, said
McClary, left, and Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno.
Wolfe. Although the
Polk County Sheriff Robert Wolfe
speaks during a public hearing
about a proposed public safety levy
at the Tribal Community Center on
Thursday, Jan. 8.
West Valley district
seeking Fire Explorers
The West Valley Fire District, which covers Grand Ronde, Willamina
and Sheridan, is seeking youths for its Fire Explorer Program.
Young men and women age 14 to 20 will become familiar with career
opportunities in the fire service through classroom instruction, hands-
on training and volunteer work. The program encourages and promotes
accountability, safety, communication, teamwork, fitness and leadership.
Participants must attend weekly drills from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays,
adhere to dress and conduct codes, perform weekly physical fitness and
training specific to firefighting skills, and demonstrate a willingness to
make improvements and show self-motivation.
For more information, contact Fire Explorer Post 908 adviser Seth
Bellarts at 503-437-2046. n
Grand Ronde Tribal Police Depart-
ment has taken over some of the
Sheriff’s Office’s responsibilities
in Grand Ronde, the sheriff is still
responsible for local lands off the
reservation, he said.
“(The levy) is not just good for the
county,” said Tribal Police Chief Al
LaChance in a phone call before the
meeting, “but the Tribal community
will also benefit. It’s good to know
that they’re here to back us up.”
If the levy is placed on the ballot
and is successful, Polk County’s
public safety sections would see an
additional $2.25 million in funding
annually that will support 22 new
positions.
New positions would translate
into 12 new patrol officers and five
more jail guards for the Sheriff’s
Office. These new positions would
decrease overtime hours currently
being logged and increase the ef-
ficiency of operations, Wolfe said.
They also would provide court
security to judges and courtrooms,
which is currently absent.
The District Attorney would gain
five more positions, including three
assistant district attorneys and
two support staff. Levy funding
also would enable Polk County to
contract with Yamhill County for
two additional youth offender beds.
Decreased patrols under the
current budget have resulted in a
47 percent drop in drunken driving
arrests and a 54 percent drop in
drug arrests, Wolfe said.
“Tribal support is an opportunity
to build relationships with Polk
County,” said Tribal Council mem-
ber Tonya Gleason-Shepek. “It’s
also important in rural counties to
have the public safety support of
neighboring communities.”
As a Polk County resident and
homeowner who votes, Tribal Coun-
cil Secretary Toby McClary said he
supports law enforcement coverage.
“I feel law enforcement coverage
is good for the county,” he said.
“Although the levy will impact my
taxes, I realize the negative conse-
quences for our community without
the funds.”
Near unanimous support from
those in attendance did not hide
the concern that apathy might be
the levy’s biggest enemy.
“The turnout has been really
small,” said Pope, referring to this
and three previous public hear-
ings. “The apathy is overwhelm-
ing.” n
Save the Date: Grand Ronde F.E.A.S.T.
Saturday, Feb. 21 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Grand Ronde Community Center
Let’s talk about food!
F.E.A.S.T. is a community organizing event focused on learning
about local food efforts and creating opportunities for action.
All community members are welcome. A meal will be provided.
Please R.S.V.P. to Francene Ambrose at 503-879-3663 or
fambrose@marionpolkfoodshare.org All R.S.V.P.s will be entered
into a raffle for a new crock pot!