An Oregon county could vanish along with timber payments

The Oregonian ^ | July 13, 2008 | MATTHEW PREUSCH

[george76]

Is it possible that one of Oregon's 36 counties could disappear? And if so, would anyone step in to provide basic services to its residents?

The answer to the first question, according to many in and out of government, is yes, and soon. At least two Oregon counties, Curry and Josephine, warn they may stop providing state-mandated programs as soon as a year from now.

But no one is sure who would step in to take over services such as elections and law enforcement, which has county leaders concerned and the state scrambling to put together a system for saving counties in crisis.

How did Oregon arrive at a point where the dissolution of one or more of its counties is being contemplated and planned?

The problem is tied to the state's wealth of federal forests. For more than a century the federal government shared timber receipts with local governments, which rely in large part on property taxes to pay for services.

Federal land is exempt from local property taxes.

Following the decline of public lands logging in the 1990s, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, which expired in 2007...

But some counties will fare far worse than others.

Many counties have already eliminated jobs or shut libraries ...

[Clinging Bitterly]

Let the county government die...

Lane County is crying the blues over the timber money as well, and I say boo frickin hoo. The biggest money problem ALL governments in Oregon have is the extremely generous PERS pension system, where employees can retire at around 52 (and even younger for police and firemen). The liability for this retirement system is tremendous and still growing by leaps and bounds. Some agencies have PERS expenditures as large as their payrolls.

I often wonder, if the government went bankrupt, if the PERS liability would go away or if the courts would come after the individual citizens.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Lane County is crying the blues over the timber money as well, and I say boo frickin hoo.

Good for you. These folks think they can tax us into their prosperity.

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Some agencies have PERS expenditures as large as their payrolls.

Yep.

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I often wonder, if the government went bankrupt, if the PERS liability would go away or if the courts would come after the individual citizens.

The court here is full of crooks, especially the civil division. It is seen as a lawsuit sweepstakes used to sieze property and assets. Judge Judy on steroids, complete with their own armed thugs to do their bidding.

Watch for some judge to issue a court order for more taxes...

They legislature is tring to do away with the more than 50% registered voter attendance required to raise taxes, it will be on the ballot in November.

Let them eat cake...

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Gil doesn’t have a chance with the money he has to work with.

Gil Gilbertson is a good man. He has a really tough row to hoe and he is working in a snake pit of liberals, even his office is in a den of thieves (the courthouse).

But, Gil worked in Bosnia, so he will do the best he can, I am sure of that. He will dress in that uniform every day and report for duty like a good soldier.

Intelligence gathering resources is what he needs more than money. He is definately not afraid to make arrests.

I suggest the swearing in of a posse everytime he needs armed personnel like the days of the Old West. There are plenty of qualified volunteers.

[Valpal1]

Josephine and Curry counties' property tax rates, about 60 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, are far lower than the state average of $2.80 per $1,000.

I just am sick of people that only complain and do nothing but continue to enjoy this beautiful area and refuse to pay to help it stay that way.

I think your perception is spot on, BruceysMom.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Josephine and Curry counties' property tax rates, about 60 cents per $1,000 assessed property value, are far lower than the state average of $2.80 per $1,000.

Maybe you would like to pay more in property taxes? Go ahead... You think it is not "fair" to pay less in taxes?

That sure is screwball liberal thinking.

[rogator]

“The biggest money problem ALL governments in Oregon have is the extremely generous PERS pension system, where employees can retire at around 52 (and even younger for police and firemen).”
This comment is very misleading. Only a tiny percentage of PERS folks can go at 52. Those with 30 or more years of service.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Not misleading. 52 (and sometimes younger) is when folks start cashing in on this very generous retirement benefit that is fully paid for by other people. That some people entered the system later in life is immaterial to the argument of the system's above market benefits and it's cost to taxpayers.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I am tired of the government millionaires.

And then there is the screwball liberal thinking it is not fair we don’t pay as much in taxes as other counties...

Taxpayer bailouts for bad banking practices and corrupt local government accounting?

No thanks. I’ll earn my money the old fashioned way. Let them eat cake.

[Valpal1]

I live in Umatilla County, similar population and income levels. Rural farm county on the opposite side of the state. Your county tax base is less than half ours.

You want to keep your county services, then pay for them. As it is I’m the one paying for them, since state and federal payments are MY taxes too.

Get over yourself, residents of Josephine County don’t have a right to free ride at other taxpayer’s expense.

I guess your other choice is to get rolled up into another county and get outvoted by it’s greater population.

You want self determination in your county, you’ll have to pay for it. Freedom ain’t free.

[gundog]

The outlying counties are just milk cows for the Willamette Valley. A couple of ‘em dying is an acceptable loss.

[gundog]

Retire at 52...and run for the Legislature. Arnie Roblan is a prime example. I believe he’s retired at 130% of his old salary, and now he’s in the pocket of the OEA. Like DeFazio, he’s carved out a little niche in which he has the support of the old guard Dems, vets and gun owners, so there’s little chance of unseating him.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

You want to keep your county services, then pay for them.

That's just it... I don't need anything from the government, I'm not on welfare...

[Valpal1]

Oh right, you don’t need roads, sewers, water treatment, public utility right of way, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical transportation and rescue.

Why you’re practically a nation unto yourself.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

Oh right, you don’t need roads, sewers, water treatment, public utility right of way, law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical transportation and rescue.

Why you’re practically a nation unto yourself.

I really don't need anything but the roads.

There is nothing "public" about the utilities - I PAY FOR IT.

Emergency medical? I have insurance - I PAY FOR IT.

Now, if you want to pay more, go for it. I want you liberals out of my pockets...

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

I'm sure they'll get everything they pay for. You know, government off my back, fine country living, etc.

Exactly. Just the way I like it...

[Valpal1]

I didn’t say public utility, I said public utility right of way. You know so they can string the power accross somebody elses property to yours. You think you can pay for that too? You must be Midas.

Your medical insurance might pay for any actual emergency service you receive, but the service wouldn’t be there to provide emercency assistance, so you’d just be badly injured or dying with no hope of rescue.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

The same tired old liberal excuses...

Spend money in every way possible EXCEPT for what they are supposed to, then blackmail the public for essential police and fire.

I saw it in California and I see it here.