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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 8, 2006 Agreement may bring timber subsidy extension By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Impending cuts to Jackson County programs and services could be put off for a year if a deal struck with the Bush administration holds up. According to a statement released Monday by U.S. Sens. Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden, the administration has agreed to work toward an extension of the county payments safety net through 2008. If funds were secured, Jackson County's portion would be about $23 million, said county Commissioner Jack Walker. The agreement represents a change in the administration's position, not an allocation of money, said Chris Matthews, spokesman for Republican Sen. Smith. The extended funding would have to come from a spending cut or revenue increase somewhere in the federal budget, he said. The senators probably won't know how the extension would be funded until late fall, he added. "It's obviously not a long-term solution," Matthews said. "It's a searching mission." An extension would provide up to $401 million for 700 rural counties in more than 40 states, according to the senators' statement. Combined with receipts from federal timber sales, Oregon's share could reach $270 million. The subsidy was developed in part to help offset losses in timber tax receipts to the counties due to reductions in logging on federal lands. The subsidy makes up about a third of the county's general fund budget of approximately $71 million, making Jackson's receipt of safety net funds among the highest anywhere in the country, Walker said. The money funds county services, roads and schools here and in other rural counties. County officials on Monday did not discuss how to use another year of federal payments if an extension materialized. With current payments scheduled to run out in 2007, the county could be forced to close its 15 libraries and cut law enforcement and some public health services. Any program financed by the county's discretionary general fund could be affected by the loss in revenue, said Danny Jordan, interim county administrator. Jordan, Walker and County Commissioner C.W. Smith all characterized the senators' pledge as an act that buys the county time. "It simply gives us another year to try to facilitate all our other backup plans," Smith said. A county levy that would generate an estimated $8.2 million in fiscal year 2007-08 to fund the libraries has already been approved for the November ballot. Commissioners said the levy would be collected only if the county does not receive its federal subsidy in the next fiscal year. Walker said if the subsidy is allocated in 2008, it could be added to the county's "rainy-day fund" of approximately $20 million, which may be used to help ease the transition if the federal funding is eventually lost. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews