Levy would continue sheriff's services

Sisters area voters are being asked to renew the current sheriff's levy, which is set to expire June 30.

The county-wide measure on the May 19 ballot would continue the levy residents are currently paying for five years, and continue sheriff's services at their current level.

A growing tax base should fund increased services as they are needed, according to Deschutes County Sheriff Greg Brown.

"If we continue with new growth, it will hopefully allow us to keep up," Brown said.

The current and proposed levy is a split rate. Taxpaying residents of unincorporated areas pay $1.159 per $1,000 of assessed value; those who live in incorporated areas such as Sisters or Black Butte pay $.822 per $1,000.

This will continue to be the case for Sisters, even with the county providing the police services for the city. Those services are provided under a contract between the City of Sisters and the County.

The department provides uniformed patrol, court services, search and rescue and emergency services. The department also operates the Deschutes County Adult Jail, which houses an average of 180 inmates.

Brown said that approving the levy for five years will save thousands of dollars in yearly election costs the county would be liable for if the department had to repeatedly go back to the voters.