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Klamath Basin 2008
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| H&N photo by Todd E. Swenson Klamath County Sheriff’s deputy Barry Phetteplace right, walks through the scene of an accident Monday on Crater Lake Parkway. The sheriff’s office hopes to find a new source of funding in 2008 to replace federal timber payments. |
Leaders talk about goals for the coming year
By LAURA McVICKER and TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writers
Decreasing substance and alcohol abuse and establishing a stable funding source for law enforcement topped Klamath County public safety leaders’ goals for 2008.
Klamath County’s district attorney and sheriff and the Klamath Falls city police chief all cited a need for better funding in the wake of a loss of federal timber payments.
The Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act provides funds to rural communities hurt by cuts in logging. The $15 million funneled into Klamath County pays for portions of the budget for the sheriff and district attorney offices. The payments expired last year.
If the payments are not reauthorized, the sheriff’s office may be forced to cut patrol deputies and close a pod of the Klamath County Jail.
Sheriff Tim Evinger said one of his goals is to “continue to work with county government officials to secure funding for the future of law enforcement and manage the growth of the county and the problems that come with growth.”
Klamath Falls Police Chief Jim Hunter said closure of the jail or fewer deputies could hurt his department. While the city police department has stable funding, it uses the county jail to house arrestees and often relies on sheriff’s deputies for backup.
“The city of Klamath Falls has (stable funding) but we are only a third of the population roughly,” Hunter said, and adding about the potential closure of part of the jail, “I don’t think that serves the city of Klamath Falls.”
District Attorney Ed Caleb said the loss of timber money hurts his office as well. He now has four less deputy district attorneys. His goal for 2008 is to maintain current staffing levels.
“It is clear that the state of Oregon should spend more resources at the local level to protect citizens,” Caleb said.
Timber payments, growth among local priorities
Leaders and officials in the Klamath Basin have a variety of issues they’d like to see addressed in 2008, from how local government will cope with the loss of federal timber payments to preparing for economic growth in the region.
“There’s a lot on the plate right now,” said state Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls.
John Elliott, Klamath County commissioner
Elliott said he wanted to make sure the county was prepared for the possibility of continued growth, both economically and population-wise, despite the current slowdown in the housing market.
Revising the local tax system will be important as new homes are built and income levels and demographics change, he said, adding that growth is only temporarily forestalled.
The commissioner also wants to focus on natural resource issues.
Bill Brown, Klamath County commissioner
Natural resource issues topped Brown’s list of priorities for the coming year, from ensuring continued water supplies for agriculture to better use of the region’s resources. He said doing so will not be easy, but addressing the issues is critical.
Brown said he would also continue to work with several other Klamath County residents to put a home rule charter on the ballot in May 2008. The proposed charter would alter organization of county government by adding two commissioners and a county administrator.
Al Switzer, Klamath County commissioner
Financial planning, especially in light of the uncertainty of future federal timber payments to the county, is at the top of Switzer’s 2008 to-do list.
Long term planning for the county’s financial future will be particularly important, as will getting input from county residents on how they want the county to address the problem.
State Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls
Whitsett wants to see a resolution to consolidation or boundary readjustment issues between the Klamath County School District and Klamath Falls City Schools.
“It’s time to simply make a decision and move forward,” Whitsett said.
The senator said he also is concerned about the increasing possibility of the loss of federal timber payments to Oregon counties. He said county officials need to figure what they’d need so the Oregon Legislature could set aside funding in February.
Public disclosure of water settlement talks also is needed in early 2008. Whitsett said he disapproved of the closed-door nature of the negotiations surrounding the Klamath River and its tributaries.
State Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls
Garrard said he is concerned about the possible loss of federal timber payments, and he anticipated the state would need to step in and help rural counties during its February session.
The Klamath Falls lawmaker said he also was hoping to see the proposed Shasta View Shopping Center at the intersection of Washburn Way and the Southside Expressway come to fruition.
Leaders share more goals for 2008 — covering agriculture, education, economic development, Kingsley Field and other subjects — in Tuesday's Herald and News.
Klamath County’s district attorney and sheriff and the Klamath Falls city police chief all cited a need for better funding in the wake of a loss of federal timber payments.
The Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self Determination Act provides funds to rural communities hurt by cuts in logging. The $15 million funneled into Klamath County pays for portions of the budget for the sheriff and district attorney offices. The payments expired last year.
If the payments are not reauthorized, the sheriff’s office may be forced to cut patrol deputies and close a pod of the Klamath County Jail.
Sheriff Tim Evinger said one of his goals is to “continue to work with county government officials to secure funding for the future of law enforcement and manage the growth of the county and the problems that come with growth.”
Klamath Falls Police Chief Jim Hunter said closure of the jail or fewer deputies could hurt his department. While the city police department has stable funding, it uses the county jail to house arrestees and often relies on sheriff’s deputies for backup.
“The city of Klamath Falls has (stable funding) but we are only a third of the population roughly,” Hunter said, and adding about the potential closure of part of the jail, “I don’t think that serves the city of Klamath Falls.”
District Attorney Ed Caleb said the loss of timber money hurts his office as well. He now has four less deputy district attorneys. His goal for 2008 is to maintain current staffing levels.
“It is clear that the state of Oregon should spend more resources at the local level to protect citizens,” Caleb said.
Timber payments, growth among local priorities
Leaders and officials in the Klamath Basin have a variety of issues they’d like to see addressed in 2008, from how local government will cope with the loss of federal timber payments to preparing for economic growth in the region.
“There’s a lot on the plate right now,” said state Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls.
John Elliott, Klamath County commissioner
Elliott said he wanted to make sure the county was prepared for the possibility of continued growth, both economically and population-wise, despite the current slowdown in the housing market.
Revising the local tax system will be important as new homes are built and income levels and demographics change, he said, adding that growth is only temporarily forestalled.
The commissioner also wants to focus on natural resource issues.
Bill Brown, Klamath County commissioner
Natural resource issues topped Brown’s list of priorities for the coming year, from ensuring continued water supplies for agriculture to better use of the region’s resources. He said doing so will not be easy, but addressing the issues is critical.
Brown said he would also continue to work with several other Klamath County residents to put a home rule charter on the ballot in May 2008. The proposed charter would alter organization of county government by adding two commissioners and a county administrator.
Al Switzer, Klamath County commissioner
Financial planning, especially in light of the uncertainty of future federal timber payments to the county, is at the top of Switzer’s 2008 to-do list.
Long term planning for the county’s financial future will be particularly important, as will getting input from county residents on how they want the county to address the problem.
State Sen. Doug Whitsett, R-Klamath Falls
Whitsett wants to see a resolution to consolidation or boundary readjustment issues between the Klamath County School District and Klamath Falls City Schools.
“It’s time to simply make a decision and move forward,” Whitsett said.
The senator said he also is concerned about the increasing possibility of the loss of federal timber payments to Oregon counties. He said county officials need to figure what they’d need so the Oregon Legislature could set aside funding in February.
Public disclosure of water settlement talks also is needed in early 2008. Whitsett said he disapproved of the closed-door nature of the negotiations surrounding the Klamath River and its tributaries.
State Rep. Bill Garrard, R-Klamath Falls
Garrard said he is concerned about the possible loss of federal timber payments, and he anticipated the state would need to step in and help rural counties during its February session.
The Klamath Falls lawmaker said he also was hoping to see the proposed Shasta View Shopping Center at the intersection of Washburn Way and the Southside Expressway come to fruition.
Leaders share more goals for 2008 — covering agriculture, education, economic development, Kingsley Field and other subjects — in Tuesday's Herald and News.
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
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jim wrote on Jan 1, 2008 7:38 AM:
no pine or fir trees, rock and junipers, worthless land but good for a home. it will bring in 10 times more taxes for county. "