2A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • April 8, 2015
Polk County News
County OKs tentative budget
Three plans laid out to account for timber money, levy
Workshops aim to
help build business
By Emily Mentzer
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
POLK COUNTY — Polk
County’s tentatively ap-
proved 2015-16 budget is a
“tale of three budgets,” ac-
cording to County Adminis-
trator Greg Hansen.
“This budget is much bet-
ter from a
f i s c a l
standpoint
than what
we’ve had
in
the
past,” he
said while
delivering
Hansen
his budget
message March 30 at the be-
ginning of four days of budg-
et hearings. “No layoffs are
proposed in this budget.”
But as Hansen character-
ized it, there are three dis-
tinct components to what
will end up being the county
spending plan for 2015-16.
First, the general fund —
which includes the majority
of the public safety depart-
ments — is essentially “sta-
tus quo,” if the county’s pub-
lic safety levy is not ap-
proved. Hansen’s proposal
will add 1.75 positions divid-
ed between Community
Corrections and Community
Development departments.
Funding would also pur-
chase vehicles for the Polk
County Sheriff’s Office and
Community Corrections and
a check scanning system for
the Treasurer’s Office.
If the levy is approved in
the May 19 election — the
second budget scenario —
22 additional positions will
be hired in the Sheriff’s Of-
fice — jail and patrol — and
the District Attorney’s Office.
Hansen included expected
revenue from the yet-to-be
voted on levy in a separate
fund, which would be dis-
tributed to the appropriate
KATHY HUGGINS/ Itemizer-Observer
Whether or not Polk County’s public safety levy 27-109 passes will decide how much
money the county can spend on staffing and other programs.
departments if voters say
“yes.” If the vote is “no,” the
fund would be eliminated.
Departments classified
under “other funds” make
up the third piece of the pie.
These departments receive
the vast majority of their
funding from dedicated
state, federal or other
sources outside the general
fund.
Public works and the fair
fund may see slight decreas-
es. Public health, the juve-
nile, youth programs, health
services, and management
services will see increases
ranging from 2 to 16 percent.
Behavioral health (for-
merly mental health) is see-
ing growth at an unprece-
dented rate, getting a $3 mil-
lion boost. Hansen said
growth at that rate is not
likely to last — budget de-
clines could happen just as
Government
quickly as increases — and
the county is trying to find
strategies to avoid heavy lay-
offs when that occurs.
He said options include
hiring contractors — instead
of new employees — to pro-
vide services and holding
some in reserve, which is
now close to $1 million.
“We are trying to find
contractors,” he said. “They
are not easy to find on our
side of the (Willamette)
River.”
The budget committee
tentatively approved the
budget Thursday. It will re-
convene on May 20, the day
after the election, to vote on
formal approval.
Committee members said
they were glad to not have to
be considering layoffs this
year, regardless of what vot-
ers decide about the levy.
“It’s nice to have a budget
where we are not wringing
our hands (about layoffs),”
said Commissioner Craig
Pope, who is also part of the
budget committee.
He stressed, however, for
the general fund, “status
quo” simply means the
bleeding has stopped.
Budget Committee Chair-
man Norbert Hartmann said
the county still is in a “public
safety crisis.”
“Until we have the revenue
to support public safety, we
are still in trouble,” he said.
The Itemizer-Observer
Check it Out
INDEPENDENCE —
Whether opening a new
business or honing skills to
run a long-standing one, a
pep talk can be helpful.
Promote Enterprising
Performance workshops
are back at Monmouth-In-
dependence Chamber of
Commerce starting Tues-
day. The series of six semi-
nars will cover everything
from developing and build-
ing a budget to marketing
to fundraising.
“The concept is to pro-
vide information, best
practices, tips, things of
that nature, to help busi-
nesses and organizations in
our community,” said Jean
Love, executive director of
the chamber. “We don’t
want to be just a workshop
or class, but rather some-
thing that can really help
you.”
Each session is led by
local leaders, experts in
their fields, Love noted,
with both real-world expe-
rience and book knowl-
edge.
Each one-and-a-half-
hour workshop includes
lunch, a presentation,
question-and-answer ses-
sion, and something for
participants to take away
and use, Love said, whether
it’s a list of resources or a
budget document.
The chamber started
PEP talks in 2013 in a dif-
ferent format. They were
held in the evening for
three hours at a time.
A chamber survey re-
vealed that members want-
ed the talks back, but for
shorter amounts of time
and during the lunch hour
instead, Love said. This
year’s topics also are cho-
sen directly from feedback
from last year’s survey.
What: PEP Talks se-
ries, sponsored by the
Monmouth-Indepen-
dence Chamber of
Commerce.
W h e n : Tu e s d a y,
April 14 (Developing a
Budget and Under-
standing Cash Flow);
Tu e s d a y, A p r i l 2 8
(Fundraising for Non-
profits); Tuesday, May 5
(Writing a Marketing
Plan); Tuesday, May 12
(Making Volunteer Pro-
grams Come to Life);
Monday, June 1 (How
to Use Social Media to
Your Advantage); Tues-
day, June 16 (Manag-
ing Difficult Employees
and Volunteers).
Where: Most PEP
Talks are held at either
the Independence or
Monmouth public li-
braries, except the so-
cial media one, which
will be held at Henry
Hill Education Support
Center.
Admission: M-I
Chamber members,
$15; nonmembers, $20.
For more informa-
tion: www.micc-or.org,
or call 503-838-4268.
“Topics are more specif-
ic,” Love said. “What peo-
ple will be able to say is
more funneled instead of
broad and generic.”
Each of the workshops
will be helpful, depending
on the business, but the
one Love is looking forward
to the most is on May 5 —
Writing a Marketing Plan.
“How do you get your
name out there, what do
you support?” Love said.
“Do (businesses) really
know their target audi-
ence?”
The workshops are open
to anyone, not just to
chamber members.
HEALTH DIRECTORY
AUDIOLOGY
Trust your hearing to those that specialize in hearing
and hearing related disorders. Evan L. Evans, Ph. D,
and Julie B. Evans, AuD are both doctoral level Audi-
ologists who have the knowledge, experience and
compassion to provide you with the best care for your
hearing health. We offer free hearing screenings; by
our hearing aid specialist. We offer full & complete di-
agnostic evaluations, counseling and recommenda-
tions by our clinical Audiologists. Other Audiological
services include testing, management and treatment
options for Tinnitus. We have the knowledge and ex-
perience to assist your physician with the diagnosis of
diseases and disorders pertaining to hearing and the
hearing mechanism. We offer wax removal or cerumen
management, Tinnitus testing and Tinnitus manage-
ment techniques. An Audiologist, having the Audiol-
ogy credentials of the American Academy of Audiology
(F-AAA) and the The American Speech Hearing and
Language Association’s Certificate of Clinical Compe-
tency (CCC-A) is the professional of choice for any-
thing related to hearing and or hearing related issues.
Serving our hearing impaired since 1980, with two lo-
cations to serve you.
Audiology Associates
1343-A Monmouth St., Independence • 503-838-3001
2296 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis • 541-757-2500
CHIROPRACTIC
• JOYNT FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC - Dr. Brian Joynt,
DC - 629 Clay Street East, Monmouth, OR 97361
Family-oriented chiropractic clinic, dedicated to cre-
ating an unparalleled experience of service, quality
and care by teaching the true principles of chiroprac-
tic. We look forward to empowering each of you to
help your family participate more fully in life. New pa-
tients welcome. Accept most insurance. Auto/per-
sonal injury and work comp. Massage therapist on
site. Complimentary consultations. Call us today to
make your appointment (503) 837-0550.
• THORNTON CHIROPRACTIC - Drs. Sharon and
Marty Thornton - Palmer Graduates - We care, God
cures. 1650 Monmouth St., Independence, OR 97351
• 503-838-3346. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8-noon & 2-6
pm. Thurs 2-6pm. Proudly serving Polk County for
over 17 years. Offering Thompson Drop and other
hands-on techniques, as well as Advanced Activator
Methods and Functional Neurology. We provide gentle
and effective full-spine and extremity adjusting for all
ages in a loving and caring environment. We are ac-
cepting new patients for Family Wellness Care,
Medicare, Auto or personal injury & Workers Comp. Li-
censed Massage Therapy available on site.
COUNSELING
• CROSS AND CROWN COUNSELING ~ KATE KOENS,
NCCA Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor and Cer-
tified Temperament Therapist is accepting new clients
at her Dallas and Falls City offices. She works with in-
dividuals in a safe environment to help individuals
find healing and fulfillment by teaching good commu-
nication skills, appreciation for self and others, appro-
priate responses to individual and family needs, how
to build relationships of trust, appropriate crisis re-
sponses, and how to obtain overall family wellness
emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Some specific
areas of counsel offered are marriage and family, ado-
lescent issues, depression, past and present trauma,
grief, identity crisis, divorce, childhood losses, and
feelings of hopelessness. Our goal is to help individu-
als realize their full potential and to live decisively with
truth, relevance, perspective and purpose. For more
information or to schedule an appointment please call
503-917-1625 or visit our website: www.crossand-
crowncounseling.com
GENERAL DENTISTRY
• RANDALL C. JONES, DMD - 1004 Monmouth St., In-
dependence, OR 503-838-0434. Offering a broad
range of dental services in a relaxed and comfortable
atmosphere. New patients and emergencies welcome.
• DR. JOHN D. SHURTZ DDS - 196 Catron Street N.,
Monmouth,OR 503-838-1800. We are welcoming new
patients and we accept most insurance plans!
• WESTON K. MORRILL, DMD - 289 E. Ellendale Suite
#201, Dallas. 503-623-6616. Family, preventive, and
cosmetic dentistry. Complete dentistry for the entire
family. Se habla español.
• DR. MICHELLE HASBROOK, DMD - 120 N. Atwater,
Monmouth, OR 503-838-2998. Providing all phases of
dental care for children and adults. We welcome new
patients!
• KENNETH WINOKUR, DMD - 329 South Main Street
Independence, OR 97351. 503-838-1633. High quality
service with your comfort in mind. Nitrous oxide gas
sedation available. www.independencedental.org
GENERAL SURGERY SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY SURGICAL SPECIALTY CLINIC sur-
geon, Dr. Alison Smith, provides general surgery serv-
ices for a wide range of needs including breast cancer,
gallbladder, biopsies, abdominal surgery, hernia re-
pair, appendectomy, as well as colonoscopy. General
surgery appointments are scheduled at the clinic on
Mondays and Thursdays. Dr. Smith does her surgeries
at West Valley Hospital's spacious, state-of-the art new
surgical suite. West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic is
located at 591 SE Clay St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 or
fax 503-623-2612. Visit salemhealth.org/specialty.
GYNECOLOGY SERVICES
Gynecological care is now available in Dallas at the West
Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic. Gynecologist Keita
Sakon, MD, specializes in gynecology exams and pro-
cedures, including hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, as
well as family planning, abnormal Pap evaluation, treat-
ment of pelvic pain, symptom control for menopause
and abnormal periods. Dr. Sakon works in Dallas on Fri-
days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seeing patients at the
clinic and performing gynecological procedures in the
West Valley Hospital surgical suites. New patients are
welcome! West Valley Surgical Specialty Clinic is located
at 591 SE Clay St., Dallas. Call 503-831-0784 for an ap-
pointment. Visit westvalleyhospital.org/specialtyclinic.
(UPDATE W/ONLINE APPT URL WHEN AVAILABLE.)
HEARING HEALTH
• JOYFUL SOUND HEARING SERVICES, INC. Mark
Sturtevant, 312 Main Street, Dallas OR, 503-623-0290.
Providing Polk County with hearing solutions for 30
years. Services include: Hearing evaluations, Diagnos-
ing hearing loss; Impedance; Fitting all types of hear-
ing devices, Servicing all makes and models of hearing
aids; Ear inspections; Wax removal; Hearing protec-
tion. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9-4pm. (Fridays by
appointment only)
HEART SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL provides heart diagnostic
services including electrocardiograms (EKG), pul-
monary function tests, cardiac stress tests and
echocardiograms with a physician referral. Cardiolo-
gists Dr. Raghu Kamineni, Dr. William Stiles and Dr.
Kevin Thompson see patients for office visits at West
Valley Hospital at 525 SE Washington St., Dallas. For
more heart health information, call 503-623-7304.
IMAGING SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL offers state-of-the-art all-
digital diagnostic imaging services. With your physi-
cian's referral, we provide your bone densitometry, CT
scan, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, X-ray
and MRI services. Check out our new comfortable and
spacious mammography suite. We are located at 525
SE Washington St., Dallas, 503-623-7302.
LABORATORY SERVICES
• WEST VALLEY HOSPITAL provides lab services at
two convenient locations in Dallas and Monmouth.
Both labs are fully accredited, providing collections
and testing with healthcare provider referral. Employ-
ment and self-referral drug testing is offered. The West
Valley Hospital lab in Dallas is open 24 hours, seven
days a week, at 525 SE Washington St., 503-623-7303.
The Monmouth lab is located in the Monmouth Med-
ical Center, 512 Main St., Suite 300, 503-838-1388. It is
open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., closed be-
tween noon and 1 p.m. Appointments are not re-
quired.