Importing Portland
Why attempt a total transformation?
The proposed measures would restructure Jackson County's Board of Commissioners to be exactly the same as the Board in Multnomah County, home of Portland.
While expanding the Board might look good on paper, we can all see how it works in reality by looking at the current situation in Oregon's largest county. We are under no obligation to make southern Oregon function more like Portland.
The safeguards in our County Charter play an important role in making our home the southern haven it is, protecting our community from the consequences of an expanded board.
The Proposals
Approving the proposed measures will have real-world consequences for our community.
Ballot Measure 15-224
Making positions nonpartisan
Consequence: Less Public Input
As it stands, candidates must participate in both the primary election (May) and the general election (November) every four years. Making the positions nonpartisan would essentially eliminate the November election, severely shortening the amount of time the public has to learn about each candidate and moving the election to an extremely low-turnout ballot. Only ~42% of Jackson County voters participate in May elections, compared to ~80% in November.
Ballot Measure 15-225
Expanding Board from 3 to 5
Consequence: Less Accountability
Our County Commission is currently made up of three people elected at large to represent the whole county. One of the stated goals of these measures is to create five new districts. This would mean each Commissioner would only be responsible to 1/5 of the population of Jackson County: Their voter base. This proposal would also allow Commissioners to skirt public meeting laws and deliberate in private, enabling back-room deals.
Ballot Measure 15-226
Cutting salaries in half
Consequence: More Cost to Taxpayers
Cutting Commissioner salaries will make it difficult to attract the most highly-qualified candidates and simply will not cover the cost of adding positions to the Board. Constructing new offices, hiring needed support staff, and increased PERS, travel, and training costs are slated to cost taxpayers an additional $500,000 - $700,000 annually. For a full breakdown of new costs, please read "The Cost" on the next page.
What's at Risk
if we completely overhaul Oregon's best-run county
Jackson County is nationally recognized as one of the best-run county governments not just in Oregon but across the country. This is due in no small part to the protections codified in our county charter. It is those protections that these ballot measures aim to erase.
Our county is financially healthy, keeping enough money in reserves to provide $200 Million in capital infrastructure without raising taxes.
Jackson County's tax rate is lower than counties of comparable size.
Our Board of Commissioners adopted a first-in-the-nation full suppression wildfire policy, which has shaped federal wildfire practices and kept the average fire size in our county to less than three acres.
Jackson County led the charge against illegal marijuana grows and associated water theft and human trafficking.
Our county lobbied for the repeal of Measure 110. Recriminalization of hard drugs was finally accomplished in February of 2024.
What do I stand to lose?
Transparent & accountable government
Claim: Increasing the number of Jackson County Commissioners will increase transparency and provide representation to all residents.
Fact: Growing the Board from 3 members to 5 would allow Commissioners to skirt public meeting laws and deliberate in private, enabling back-room deals. Expanding the Board would also allow the creation of new districts to exert undue influence on who is elected to the Boar
Honesty in elections
Claim: Making County Commissioner a nonpartisan position will empower non-affiliated voters, increasing representation of all residents.
Fact: Making these positions nonpartisan eliminates primaries, essentially moving the Commission election from the high-turnout November ballot to the low-turnout May ballot. Nonpartisan status decreases transparency, allowing candidates to hide their political beliefs and intent during campaigns.
Responsible government spending
Claim: Decreasing Commissioner salaries saves taxpayer money.
Fact: An expanded Board requires construction of new offices, added support staff, larger training & travel budgets, and increased, ongoing PERS & insurance costs for new Commissioner & staff positions, making the overall costs higher for taxpayers. The added cost to taxpayers is at least $500,000 per year.