BACKGROUND: Our local Port Orford Police Department plays a key role in providing public safety for our community, responding to an average of 5 to 8 calls per day. Our law enforcement officers deal with mental health breakdowns, domestic abuse, disputes, traffic violations, burglaries, deaths, welfare checks, suicide risks, animal complaints, and much, much more. They keep Port Orford a safe place to live.

But rising costs mean that our current police levy is no longer sufficient to cover costs of public safety.

This became clear during last year's city budget sessions. Our current police levy ($1.80/1000) is actually the same as it was in 2014 though costs have climbed every year. 

Recognizing that local citizens strongly value public safety, last June the Port Orford City Council adopted a $12/month public safety fee for all water/sewer account customers as a band-aid to support police services during the past year. As we head into budget season again, Council voted unanimously to place a levy measure on the May election ballot to provide for sufficient funding to continue our city's police services. 

The measure proposes to repeal and replace the current $1.80 per 1000 levy with a $3.50 per 1000 levy that will be adequate to cover costs for current police services. The aim is to provide sustainable funding for public safety while also spreading costs more fairly to a larger number of taxpayers. If the levy passes, the recently added $12/ month public safety fee for utility account owners will be eliminated. 

Residents who own properties with lower assessed values will very likely pay less with the new levy than they do with the current levy and utility fee. To determine your cost, consult this COST CALCULATOR TABLE: