1.  What would the levy fund?

If passed, the levy would fund a minimum of 255 jail beds for local offenders, as well as 8 detention and 8 treatment beds for youth offenders, including associated treatment services.

Currently, the jail has 317 beds for local offenders, 62 more than the minimum required by the levy.

2.   Because this is a proposed levy renewal, does that mean, if the levy passes, all of the requirements of the levy would remain the same?

Yes.  The levy will be placed on the ballot as a proposed renewal in May 2017, and, if it passes, the requirement and tax rate would remain the same as approved by the voters in 2013.  If the levy is renewed, it would continue to fund a minimum of 255 jail beds, as well as 8 detention and 8 treatment beds for youth offenders.  If the levy passes, the funds would continue to be placed in a special fund to be used specifically for jail and critical youth treatment services.  The fund would be audited annually by an external, independent auditor and those audits would be made available to the public.

3.  What are youth detention and treatment beds used for?

Youth services detention and treatment beds are used for community safety, interrupting the illegal behavior of youth, conducting assessments, and providing intensive treatment to youth and families in order to address crime driving factors while increasing skills needed to reduce the likelihood of committing new crimes.

4.  What is the purpose of a jail bed, and how do jail beds benefit the public safety system and the community?

Jails are secure facilities authorized by state law to receive and process adults after arrest. They also hold many defendants accused of both felonies and less serious crimes that have been determined to be at high risk for failing to appear in court, or high risk to reoffend. Jails also hold offenders who have been sentenced to prison and are awaiting transfer, as well as offenders who have been sentenced to serve less than one year per charge.  Jail provides an interruption to illegal behavior and provides opportunities to offenders to access resources that assist in rehabilitation.

5.  If the levy passes, how much would it cost me?

If the levy is renewed, the rate would be at $0.55 per $1,000 assessed property value, the same rate that was approved by the voters in 2013.  The Board of County Commissioners may opt to not levy the full amount of $0.55 per $1,000 assessed value as they did in fiscal year 15/16. 

This information was reviewed by the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office for compliance with ORS 260.432.