11 February 2013
County to review revised jail tax levy request
Approval of a special tax levy by Lane County voters would guarantee a minimum of 255 local jail beds at the county lockup over a 5-year period. It would also provide additional counseling, secure treatment and detention services for Lane County youth offenders.
Lane County Commissioners are expected to approve the reworded ballot title tomorrow and send it to voters in the May 21st election.
In addition to guaranteeing the number of jail beds and emphasizing more youth offender services, the revised ballot title also specifies that the money generated from the tax would be placed into a special restricted revenue fund not available for any other use. An external audit of the fund will be provided to the public, the Sheriff and the Lane County Board of Commissioners each year.
The five-year, $80-million levy is expected to raise just over $15-million annually. It’s estimated it will cost the owner of a home valued at $155-thousand an additional $85 per year.
North Bend man dies in crash
A single vehicle crash near Lakeside on Highway 101 yesterday morning claimed the life of a 60-year old North Bend man. Oregon State Police say Jon L. Copsey died at the scene. He was driving southbound when his pickup travelled off the side of the highway, colliding with a tree. His wife, 60-year old Beatrice Copsey was treated for minor injuries at Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay and released. Both were using safety restraints and the vehicles airbags did deploy.
97-J continues superintendent search
Siuslaw School Board Chair Paul Burns will provide a report this week on the progress made so far on finding a new superintendent. Jeff Davis will be stepping down at the end of this school year. Board members spent Friday evening and most of the day Saturday interviewing some of the 14 applicants for the position. A second interview of one candidate is set for today. Burns will report on the process Wednesday evening during the board’s regular monthly session.
2013 term begins for Florence Planning Commission
Former Florence Mayor Alan Burns and longtime budget committee member John Murphey will be sworn in as the newest members of the Florence Planning Commission tomorrow evening. Tomorrow’s meeting will be the first of the new term for the panel that was recently reduced in size from seven to five members. Burns and Murphey will join Cheryl Hoile, Curt Muilenburg and Robert Bare for a special training session at five that will cover ethics, public meeting requirements and public records. The regular meeting is at seven.
