County Income Tax
For the city of Springfield, it's a home run. For Lane County, it's another strike out, as voters deliver two different results on public safety measures.
Those are the mixed results from Tuesday's election..
Lane County voters narrowly voted down a new income tax for funding public safety services.
In Springfield, residents barely approved the police levy-jail measure.
Officials are asking, what made the difference?
"Today is a historic day in the city of Springfield." So says Mayor Sid Leiken at a City Hall news conference, after Springfield voters approved the police levy, a fire service levy and the $42,000,000 school bond.
He calls the measures a "trifecta."
Leiken told reporters, "They were as straightforward as straightforward could be. I mean, there was no guessing. It's either you agree or don't."
At the Lane County Courthouse, it's a feeling of dejection, as the county income tax plan fell short at the polls, by less than 3000 votes.
District Attorney Doug Harcleroad asks, "How bad does it have to be in public safety before we hit a tipping point and we're willing to pay?"
Doug Harcleroad says county officials will have to do some polling to figure out what went wrong. He says earlier county polling showed more people supported a comprehensive full-service measure, rather than a bare bones, limited service package.
He says the problems won't go away.
The D.A. told KVAL, "The criminal cases still come in the door in this office every day. 11 offenders are still released at the jail due to overcrowding every day."
In Springfield, the victory for the police levy renewal was even tighter, about 200 votes. But a win is a win for the Chief.
Jerry Smith states, "It's pleasing because I see that the city will have the tools to have a positive impact on the crime rate in Springfield."
Officials say these jail cells date back to the 1950's, but with passage of the new levy, it means these old cells will be phased out by late 2009.
Groundbreaking for the Springfield Justice Center is slated for next March or April. Meanwhile, Lane County officials say there's no plan-b for the failed income tax.
Chief Smith adds, "It too was a close election, so maybe the County Commissioners will consider going back out again."
Doug Harcleroad tells us county department heads will meet right after Thanksgiving to decide what options lie ahead.
He points out county budget officers are forecasting a $900,000 shortfall for next fiscal year, making the balancing job even tougher for officials.
Those are the mixed results from Tuesday's election..
Lane County voters narrowly voted down a new income tax for funding public safety services.
In Springfield, residents barely approved the police levy-jail measure.
Officials are asking, what made the difference?
"Today is a historic day in the city of Springfield." So says Mayor Sid Leiken at a City Hall news conference, after Springfield voters approved the police levy, a fire service levy and the $42,000,000 school bond.
He calls the measures a "trifecta."
Leiken told reporters, "They were as straightforward as straightforward could be. I mean, there was no guessing. It's either you agree or don't."
At the Lane County Courthouse, it's a feeling of dejection, as the county income tax plan fell short at the polls, by less than 3000 votes.
District Attorney Doug Harcleroad asks, "How bad does it have to be in public safety before we hit a tipping point and we're willing to pay?"
Doug Harcleroad says county officials will have to do some polling to figure out what went wrong. He says earlier county polling showed more people supported a comprehensive full-service measure, rather than a bare bones, limited service package.
He says the problems won't go away.
The D.A. told KVAL, "The criminal cases still come in the door in this office every day. 11 offenders are still released at the jail due to overcrowding every day."
In Springfield, the victory for the police levy renewal was even tighter, about 200 votes. But a win is a win for the Chief.
Jerry Smith states, "It's pleasing because I see that the city will have the tools to have a positive impact on the crime rate in Springfield."
Officials say these jail cells date back to the 1950's, but with passage of the new levy, it means these old cells will be phased out by late 2009.
Groundbreaking for the Springfield Justice Center is slated for next March or April. Meanwhile, Lane County officials say there's no plan-b for the failed income tax.
Chief Smith adds, "It too was a close election, so maybe the County Commissioners will consider going back out again."
Doug Harcleroad tells us county department heads will meet right after Thanksgiving to decide what options lie ahead.
He points out county budget officers are forecasting a $900,000 shortfall for next fiscal year, making the balancing job even tougher for officials.
