March 16, 2022
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Josephine County considering new sales tax to fund law enforcement - KTVL

Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police were at the scene where Rockholt attempted to set fire to the two bodies. (KTVL)
Josephine County Sheriff's Office and Oregon State Police were at the scene where Rockholt attempted to set fire to the two bodies. (KTVL)

Josephine County may be looking to create a new tax to fund key services the agency said is currently under-resourced.

County Sheriff Dave Daniel presented a unique proposal to the Grants Pass City Council earlier this week, called a 'Law Enforcement Retail Activities Tax'. It would be a seasonal 3% sales tax that would apply to the first $2,000 dollars of any purchase from Apr. 15 to Oct. 15.

"We have a problem in law enforcement, obviously as you know. That's why I'm here, in part. We're losing funding. The county sheriffs are losing funding. You guys are obviously not sustained to the level you'd like to be," said Daniel at the council meeting.

Some items, such as prescription medication, liquor and marijuana would be exempt. Daniel says the money generated by the tax would go directly into a trust that could only be used to fund law enforcement activities, with an annual external audit conducted to ensure there were no irregularities.

The sheriff said the proposal would generate nearly $4.5 million dollars for the county, and $3.7 million for the city of Grants Pass. Incorporated areas of the county would receive a share of the money proportional to the population, and businesses would receive a rebate, with 5% of that 3% tax returned to the merchants.

"We have to think about the merchants and how it's going to impact them," Daniel said. "[The rebate is] to cover having them get on board, so it's not as big of a burden on them."

Daniel stressed that he was open to other ideas to support law enforcement financially as well, and nothing has been decided at this time. The Grants Pass City Council requested additional documents to be presented at a future council meeting.

"I am willing to entertain any other concept. We're coming into a pitfall, and the Josephine County Sheriff's Office is in real trouble," Daniel said.



source: https://ktvl.com/news/local/josephine-county-considering-new-sales-tax-to-fund-law-enforcement

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