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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... Chinese site uses Medford domain name for car scam ... Medford teen sentenced for assaulting baby ... Mercy Flights debuts new helicopter ... JOSEPHINE COUNTY Public safety levy makes May 19 ballot Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 5:59 PM Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 5:59 PM » Social News A property tax levy proposal that would be used to pay for more sheriff's deputies and jail beds and fund the reopening of the Juvenile Justice Center will appear on the May 19 ballot. It was announced Thursday morning that proponents have gathered a sufficient number of signatures to put the issue before voters. "It'll be on the May ballot," Josephine County Clerk Art Harvey said this morning. "It'll be measure number 17-66." The proposal calls for a five-year tax of $1.40 per $1,000 of assessed value, which amounts to $280 annually for a property assessed at $200,000. In Josephine County, assessed values are generally 17 percent lower than market values, but each property is unique. Both the assessed value and the market value appear on annual tax statements sent to property owners. The text of the measure was to be posted on the county elections website. To get the measure on the ballot, proponents had to gather 2,038 signatures — a figure that represents 6 percent of the votes cast in Josephine County in the most recent gubernatorial election. The group spearheading the levy campaign is called Community United for Safety, or CUFS. For weeks, the group has manned a signature-gathering booth in a parking lot at Seventh and J streets. Volunteer signature gatherers also went door to door. County voters have shot down three public safety levies since 2012, but the group is hoping this time will be different, and paid $25,000 to have a professional poll done to determine what county residents want and what they're willing to pay for. The measure was crafted based on the results of that poll. Proponents say passage of the measure would mean 16 more jail deputies, a jail capacity of 160 inmates and the reopening of both the shelter and detention areas of the Juvenile Justice Center at Fourth and F streets. The proposal also calls for the formation of a citizens' oversight committee to ensure accountability, and an annual independent audit.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 12, 2015 at 5:59 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501