(Grants Pass, OR) – The City of Grants Pass finds itself in a unique financial situation: its general fund now holds more money than its financial policies allow. This surplus, while seemingly advantageous, has highlighted issues in public safety funding and overall fiscal management.
The city’s overly cautious financial approach in recent years has led to deeper-than-necessary cuts in public safety programs. Despite the new Public Safety (PS) utility fee providing additional revenue, efforts to hire more police officers have been slow and difficult. The city now has sufficient funds and ongoing revenue streams to support additional officers, yet the process of expanding the police force has been akin to “pulling teeth.”
At the county level, concerns about financial management and projections have been raised. Commissioner West recently attended a private meeting where he suggested that if inflation continues, the newly approved law enforcement district might not provide financial benefits in five years. This statement has been criticized as overly cautious or incorrect, indicating that some of the information being relayed to the County Commissioners might be flawed.
Several specific budget issues were noted during the recent budget presentation:
Property Tax Growth Projections: The County Budget Officer projected property tax growth at just over 3% for the next fiscal year. However, this conservative estimate resulted in the general fund revenue projection being at least $87,000 smaller than it should be. This shortfall could otherwise support additional sheriff patrols.
Discretionary Resources Allocation: While non-law enforcement departments are set to receive an additional $329,000 in discretionary resources, sheriff patrols are facing a reduction of over $2 million compared to the five-year average.
Federal Revenue Reductions: Cuts in federal revenues (PILT and SRS) are the primary reason for some general fund discretionary cuts.
Budget Requests: The budget officer did not grant a requested $995,000 general fund transfer for the law enforcement district. The overall budget proposals were in line with the budget officer’s recommendations, possibly influenced by commissioner directives.
Lack of Transparency: Various exhibits referenced in the budget presentation were not included in the public materials, leading to concerns about transparency.
SRS Revenue Assumptions: The County is assuming a significant reduction in SRS revenues, which could impact future budgets.
Funding Reductions: The budget officer reduced general fund program requests by $339,000 while cutting law enforcement funding requests by $995,000.
To address these concerns and improve public safety funding, several steps can be taken:
Correct the property tax growth rate to add an additional $87,000 to the sheriff patrol budget.
Adjust the new law enforcement district revenue projections to transfer at least an additional $400,000 to sheriff patrols next year.
Update property tax revenue forecasts for the Jail/Juvenile fund, which would eliminate the need for a $169,800 transfer from the general fund, redirecting these funds to sheriff patrols.
Consider direct charges for services provided by the Sheriff Administration to the Jail/Juvenile Department and Juvenile cases, potentially adding $220,000 to patrol funds.
Grants Pass and Josephine County face a critical juncture in managing their finances and ensuring adequate public safety services. By making informed adjustments and improving budget transparency, the city and county can better allocate resources to meet the community’s needs. Voters and residents should stay engaged and informed as these budget discussions continue, ensuring that fiscal policies align with public safety priorities.
For more information on the budget process and to get involved, visit the Josephine County Elections website or contact the Elections Office at (541) 474-5240.
