To the Business Community of Albany,
I am sending this letter asking for your support and a YES vote for the Linn County Law Enforcement Levy, Measure 22-212, that will be voted on November 4 This measure would replace our existing Levy that ends June 30, 2026. The Linn County Law Enforcement Levy supports funding for the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Department. Each of these entities divide up the tax revenue collected, and the Sheriff’s Office gets the lion’s share of it, 76% of the funds. We are grateful voters have been supportive of the Linn County Law Enforcement Levy for over 40 years.
Continued support of the Linn County Law Enforcement Levy and a passage of Measure 22-212 is imperative to providing quality public safety in all of Linn County, including Albany. The Linn County Law Enforcement Levy funds over 50% of the Sheriff’s Office and a significant portion of the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Department. The passage of this important measure means continued services such as:
• 24/7 patrol coverage across the county;
• Criminal Investigations and Prosecution of Criminals;
• Adequate services for Juvenile Programs to guide young offenders away from a path of crime;
• Full operation of a 252-bed jail facility, utilized by all local agencies within Linn County;
• Continue upgrades to the 9-1-1 Communications Center that services emergency fire and police responses throughout Linn County, including Albany;
• Enhance Emergency Response initiatives county-wide related to wildfires, flooding, severe weather and other catrsophic events through planning, prevention, response and mitigation;
• Increase resources to improve Search and Rescue capabilities to respond to critical medical care during rescue missions.
If Measure 22-212 fails and the current levy is not replaced, there would be drastic cuts to these critical public safety services in Linn County. We are asking for a small 10-cent increase to the levy which equates to an increase of about $25.00 a year for a median household with an assessed value, “AV” (not real market value) of $250,000. With rising costs in personnel, equipment and supplies, this increase is necessary to keep the quality public safety currently provided. Additionally, this levy will provide funding to increase capacity in Emergency Responses (to disasters) and Search and Rescue to meet the growing needs of our community.
Linn County has always been prudent with the tax dollars provided. We scrutinize every purchase and position funded to ensure we are always maximizing the impact of your money on our community
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Join me and my family and VOTE YES on Measure 22212 this November 4th. The safety of all of our families matters.
Sincerely,
Linn County Sheriff