Permanent Sheriff District Advisory Committee

Deschutes County seeks interested people to serve on a committee to study the many issues regarding the establishment of a Permanent Taxing District for the funding of Sheriff Services (Patrols, Emergency Response, Traffic Safety, Crime Investigations, Drug Enforcement, Adult Jail, Wild Fire Evacuations, Search and Rescue, etc). You must be able and willing to commit the necessary time and energy to thoroughly study all sides of the issues. The committee will be comprised of 11 to 13 County residents. A majority of the committee will be comprised of people with a working knowledge of one or more of the following: governmental budget process; working financial background and skills; Public Safety operations; Oregon law; and/or a graduate of the Sheriff’s Citizen Academy. The goal is to have representation from various geographic areas of Deschutes County, but this goal is secondary to the above qualifications.

The purpose of the committee is threefold; first, determining the level of services the Sheriff’s Department should be providing in the urban and rural communities of Deschutes County. Second, determine the budget amount necessary to provide the level of Sheriff Services that have been identified. Third, make recommendations for future levels of service.

The Committee will then recommend a funding mechanism to be presented to the Board of Deschutes County Commissioners for the establishment of a permanent tax district. This recommendation will include how to best allocate fees or taxes to generate the revenue needed to provide the level of Sheriff Services through one of two ways. First, issue a single tax rate Countywide, or second, issue a split rate between urban and rural communities. If a split rate is recommended, the Committee will also recommend the ratio of the split rate between urban and rural taxpayers. The Commissioners will also be open to other recommendations for funding the Sheriff’s Department other than those mentioned above.

Once the committee is selected, members will be given a thorough orientation and education regarding Deschutes County’s budget process and the operation of the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office so the committee will share a common language, concepts and knowledge base.

To apply for appointment to the Committee, please download and complete Permanent Sheriff District Advisory Committee application. Submit the application, a resume of relevant experience and a letter of interest to Deschutes County Administration (1130 NW Harriman; Bend) on or before the application deadline of June 2, 2004. For answers to your questions or for more information, please call 330-4640.