Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • January 18, 2017 13A
Polk County receives decreased timber payment
By Jolene Guzman
The Itemizer-Observer
POLK COUNTY — The
Bureau of Land Manage-
ment issued nearly $19
million in timber pay-
ments to 18 counties last
week, including Polk
County.
Polk received $406,132,
about 2.16 percent of the
total payments. That com-
pares to $845,495 issued
last year.
The lower amount is due
to the expiration of the Se-
cure Rural Schools and
Community Self-Determi-
nation Act, which was not
renewed by Congress fol-
lowing last year’s payment.
That decrease in pay-
ments may result in the
c o u n t y i n c re a s i n g t h e
amount property owners
will pay on the public safe-
ty levy. A final decision on
that will come from the
Polk County Budget Com-
mittee when it reviews the
budget this spring.
Last year, the county
charge 31.96 cents per
$1,000, less than the 45
cents authorized by voters.
During the levy campaign,
county officials said the
amount charged taxpayers
for the levy would be offset
by any timber revenue re-
ceived.
Greg Hansen, county
administrator, said he will
recommend to the budget
committee that the county
charge up to 39 or 40 cents
per $1,000 on the levy to
make up for less revenue.
The payments follow the
formula in the 1937 Ore-
gon & California Land Act,
which provides for a per-
centage of timber cut rev-
enues on federal land to be
paid to counties. With the
expiration of the SRS pro-
gram, the 1937 act takes
effect.
Per the law, 50 percent
of timber receipts are to go
to counties. In fiscal year
2016, more than $40 mil-
lion in timber receipts
were paid.
About $18.8 million was
distributed to counties
after a 6.9 percent se-
quester.
Douglas County re-
ceived the largest payment
of $4.7 million.
NASA: Library and NASA to
continue to work together
Continued from Page 14A
“We want to see where we
could make the most differ-
ences, make connections
between NASA, public li-
braries and state libraries to
enhance the learning oppor-
tunities available,” LaConte
said.
Both Obrist and LaConte
expressed optimism about
the tone and details from the
discussion and hope that
with community members
helping to follow up with
some of the ideas stated that
the library will attract new
patrons.
“I thought it was a really
good meeting,” Obrist said.
“We had representation
from a variety of different
organizations and great
connections were made. I
think we’re really excited
about the possibility of
what kind of programs we
might come up with during
this project period and be-
yond.”
Obrist said the library sent
invites to a number of peo-
ple within the community to
take part in the discussion to
get a wide range of views
and possible resources as
possible.
With the solar eclipse on
the horizon and the NASA
@ My Library program
primed to help the library
continue to build momen-
tum into the future, Obrist
said the library is in a
unique position to become
an even more integral part
of the community that
everyone can use.
“It’s an opportunity to
learn and grow,” Obrist said.
“One thing about public li-
braries is we’re life-long
learning institutions.”
West Valley Housing Authority will hold their
Work Session Meeting on Wednesday, January
25, 2017 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at 204 SW
Walnut in Dallas, Oregon. The Regular Meeting
will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2017
at 1:00 p.m. at 204 SW Walnut in Dallas,
Oregon. An Executive Session pursuant to
ORS 192.660 will be held immediately follow-
ing the Regular Meeting, if required.
Agenda for the meeting is posted on the Housing
Authority website at www.wvpha.org. The location
for the meeting is handicapped accessible.
Please advise the West Valley Housing Authority
if you need any special accommodations to
attend the meeting. For information, please call
503-623-8387, TDD 1-800-735-2900.
JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer file
Polk County received a decreased timber payment.
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