Document text
Economic turmoil hitting Jackson County services By Vickie Aldous of the Mail Tribune Apr 08, 2020 03:05 PM A A Jackson County officials have to hammer out a budget for the fiscal year that starts in July, but no one yet knows the extent of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. For now, the recommended budget for the coming fiscal year is $429.8 million. That’s a big jump from the current budget of almost $383.6 million. But most of the increase comes from the county trying to build its savings. Governments have to count savings as part of their budgets. Money is also passing through the county from a $28 million measure voters approved in November 2019 to modernize the area’s 911 system. The county is acting as the fiscal agent for the Emergency Communications of Southern Oregon dispatch center. Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan said employees began crafting the proposed budget long before the pandemic triggered sweeping changes across the globe. “The financial impact to the county from this pandemic is impossible to anticipate at this time, but it is sure that all of our departments will be affected, and some much more than others,” he said this week. “It’s also impossible to project how long it will be for full recovery to take place.” Although a final budget has to be adopted before July 1 under state law, county officials have always been able to make changes throughout the fiscal year to adapt to new conditions. With unemployment spiking, Jordan said he expects state revenue to fall due to a drop-off in personal and corporate income taxes. Jackson County departments that receive state funding will likely face cuts. Those include the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Health and Human Services, and Community Justice. Departments that get funding from fees for services will also be hit. Those include the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, The Expo, the county parks system and development services. The airport had record-breaking passenger counts of more than 1 million in the last fiscal year. Passenger counts were continuing to climb this year until March, when COVID-19 restrictions went into effect, Jordan said. At The Expo, the Jackson County Fair scheduled for July 15-19 may have to be canceled because of state restrictions on people gathering together in groups. The fair provides the vast majority of operating revenue needed to keep the grounds open year-round, Jordan said. The Expo normally hosts a broad range of events throughout the year, but operations are in limbo for now. Many parks facilities have been closed to slow the spread of the virus. Jordan said he expects a ballot measure for a new, permanent jail tax will fail during the May election due to economic turmoil from the COVID-19 crisis. The Jackson County Budget Committee, which is made up of three residents and the three-member Jackson County Board of Commissioners, met via video-conference this week to hear Jordan’s message about the proposed budget. The Budget Committee is following state law and allowing public input, but the format has changed. Craig Morris, a resident member of the committee, urged people to put their comments in writing. He assured the public the committee will read and consider all comments. Comments can be mailed to the Jackson County Courthouse, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford, OR 97501, or emailed to [email protected] before the committee’s meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 16. The public can provide live audio comments using the teleconferencing service Zoom. Register in advance by emailing [email protected]. You will receive an invitation and instructions on when it is your turn to speak. People can also go to the meeting in the courthouse auditorium to give comments in person. However, people may be asked to wait outside so that no more than 10 people are inside during the meeting. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.