Springfield Chamber Endorses Lane County Public Safety Levy

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has issued its endorsement of the Lane County Public Safety Levy and encourages Lane County residents to vote “Yes” on Ballot Measure 20-340. 

The Chamber supports taxes levied for the purpose of maintaining essential government services, safe neighborhoods, and a welcoming community to live, work, play, and do business. The clear and compelling case for renewal is exceeded only by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office’s demonstrated commitment to excellence, transparency, and accountability to the citizens they serve. 

Ballot Measure 20-340 proposes renewal of a five-year levy set to expire in June. The Levy is a source of critical public safety funding and does not propose rate increase or a new tax on property owners. The $0.55 per $1,000 assessed value means that the median Lane County homeowner will pay an estimated average of $9.80 per month for five years.

Passage of the levy is crucial to ensure continuation of essential public safety services that will:

• Maintain a minimum of 255 local jail-bed capacity to hold those arrested for violent felonies or Measure 11 offenses until their cases are resolved, preventing early release due to lack of space.  

• Maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Lane County Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills that reduce recidivism. 

• Continue to provide counseling, secure treatment and detention services for youth offenders. 

First passed by voters in 2013, the Levy was created to decrease the number of capacity-based releases for adult offenders and to increase youth treatment services for youth in detention or in residential treatment at Lane County Youth Services. The public safety levy now funds 8 of 16 youth detention beds and 8 of 15 Phoenix Treatment Program beds.

Prior to the passage of the original public safety levy in 2013, the Lane County Jail had only 125 beds for local offenders – a fraction of the recommended number for a jurisdiction the size of Lane County. Due to insufficient capacity in fiscal year 2012-13, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to release more than 5,000 defendants and offenders from the Lane County Jail. Since the original levy took effect, no violent felony or Measure 11 offenders have been released pre-trial due to lack of space. 

We encourage our community of businesses and families to vote “Yes” on Ballot Measure 20-340 this May. 

Sincerely,

Vonnie Mikkelsen, President and CEO
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

During the May 2023 election, Lane County voters will have the opportunity to vote on the five-year public safety levy for a third time. The levy was originally passed by voters in 2013 and renewed in 2017. Since this is a proposed levy renewal, it would not increase property taxes beyond the current rate. To learn more, visit the website of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office or click here for an overview of the ballot measure.