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LEGISLATURE Oregon House bill would raise taxes in 13 cash-strapped counties Jackson County is just above $2 minimum proposed by bill still in committee Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 2:00 AM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 2:00 AM Oregon's least-taxed counties --> House Joint Resolution 21 would raise the minimum permanent property tax rate to $2 per $1000 of assessed value. Jackson County would not be affected, but many nearby counties would.... » Read more X Oregon's least-taxed counties House Joint Resolution 21 would raise the minimum permanent property tax rate to $2 per $1000 of assessed value. Jackson County would not be affected, but many nearby counties would.   County; Permanent tax rate*; Percent increase Jackson; $2.0099; N/A Klamath; $1.7326; 15% Polk; $1.7160; 17% Clatsop; $1.5338; 30% Tillamook; $1.4986; 33% Hood River; $1.4171; 41% Columbia; $1.3956; 43% Lane; $1.2793; 56% Deschutes; $1.2783; 56% Linn; $1.2736; 57% Douglas; $1.1 124; 80% Coos; $1.0799; 85% Curry; $0.5996; 234% Josephine; $0.5867; 241% *per $1,000 assessed property value Source: Josephine County assessor, http://bit.ly/1g0Bn2H » Social News A potentially historic bill in the Oregon House would dramatically improve the financial landscape for Josephine County and a dozen other cash-strapped Oregon counties. If approved by Oregon voters, House Joint Resolution 21 would amend the state Constitution by setting a minimum permanent property tax rate in all 36 counties of $2 per $1,000 of assessed value. There is no catch, but in point of fact the law would apply only to the 13 counties in the state with permanent rates of less than $2. Jackson County, with its tax rate of just over $2, would not be affected, but the law would give a big boost to Josephine County, which has the lowest tax rate in the state at just 59 cents. "This is a new concept in and of itself," said Gil Riddell, policy director with the Association of Oregon Counties. "This would force a change constitutionally." By contrast, the permanent rates of both rural Wheeler and Sherman counties in Eastern Oregon exceeds $8 per $1,000 of assessed value. In heavily populated Multnomah County, the rate is $4.34 per $1,000. The bill is being touted by county officials across the state, including in Curry County, which has the second-lowest rate in the state at 60 cents. The other 11 counties affected are Coos, Douglas, Hood River, Deschutes, Clatsop, Polk, Klamath, Lane, Columbia, Tillamook and Linn. Mindful of local resistance to tax measures, Josephine County officials are remaining neutral despite the apparent financial benefits to the county, which has seen federal timber subsidies steadily decline from a high of $12 million in 2008 to $4.8 million this year. "We're not supporting it and we're not against it," said Keith Heck, chairman of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners. "You can't respond to anything until it's there," he added, referring to the long path the bill has to take before even going before voters. Once thought to be a non-starter, the bill gained attention and possibly traction when it moved out of the House Revenue Committee on June 12 and was sent to the Rules Committee with no recommendation. For it to pass, however, it must first get out of the Rules Committee, then go to the full House for a vote, then on to the Senate. From there it would be placed on the primary ballot in May 2016, where it would subjected to a referendum vote by the entire state. The Josephine County Board of Commissioners may be sitting on the sidelines, but officials in other counties have been lobbying hard for it. Riddell said the spearhead behind the bill is Commissioner David Brock Smith of Curry County, which recently rejected its own public safety levy. Smith did not return calls from the Daily Courier for comment. County officials in Benton, Columbia, Lincoln, and Marion have also publically endorsed the bill. Of those, only Columbia County would see its permanent property tax rate of $1.39 per $1,000 increase. There could be a local controversy if the question passes statewide but fails in Josephine County. Josephine County is a home rule county, which basically means the county has the right to prevent state government from intervening with its operations. However, County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks says the county derives its home rule authority through the Oregon Constitution, which trumps the county charter. The bill is currently sitting in the House Rules Committee, where Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, is a member. He doesn't anticipate any action on the bill in the near future. "There is no talk about scheduling it," Wilson said. "Ordinarily, as a courtesy I would be informed that something is going move." And if it comes to a vote? "I have told everybody I am opposing it," Wilson said. "I don't believe people in Portland, in Salem and in the (Willamette) Valley should make policy decisions for us" There are some Josephine County residents who support HJR21, however, and Wilson's legislative office provided the Daily Courier with copies of seven letters from Josephine County residents that were sent to the representative. Five of those letters, including one from former county commissioner Dwight Ellis, are in support of HJR21. Two are opposed, with one warning of a tax revolt if the law passes. "Thiings WILL get ugly," promised emailer "wildfisheye," adding, "ANY CONFISCATION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR UNPAID BACK TAXES WILL BE MET WITH ARMED RESIDENTS PROTECTING THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY!" Meanwhile, the local organization known as SOS, which is short for Securing Our Safety, is lobbying for the bill — with a subtle, but important, change to the language. The group, which has been steadfast in its support for a public safety levy in Josephine County, is advocating an amendment declaring that a county's permanent rate authority be set at $2 per $1,000 of assessed value, rather than mandating that the rate may not be less than $2 per $1,000. The distinction is that, under the SOS proposal, if a county happens to receive unanticipated revenue (such as timber money in the case of Josephine County) then the Board of Commissioners would be able to levy a lesser rate. Meanwhile, it's very unlikely the city of Grant Pass will take a formal stand on the bill, at least as it is now Council President Dan De Young broached the subject with the council recently because he said he has received emails asking the city to endorse the bill. The city has been renting extra jail beds from the county for three years running due to county budget cuts that have reduced capacity and staffing at the facility. "Maybe as individuals some councilors might do something, but not as a council," he said. As for his own personal opinion, he said something needs to be done to boost county revenue. "I don't want it to be mandated," he said, adding however that if the question makes the ballot, "I think it certainly needs to be looked at." Reach reporter Jim Moore at 541-474-3721 or [email protected]. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Jun. 29, 2015 at 2:00 AM » 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... 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