Item 3: Resolution 4890 Expressing Support for Measure 20-114, a Measure to Change the Charter of Lane County Government

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PUBLIC INFORMATION - - - ',. II The Lane County Board of Commissioners has unanimously I 'J IV forwarded this measure to voters for the Nov. 7, 2006 ballot. If passed, it would amend the Lane County Charter to limit the Board's authority regarding an income tax. Lane County's Charter serves as its constitution. It can only be changed by a public vote. This charter amendment would limit the Board's authority regarding the income tax. It would: . Dedicate the revenue from the income tax to public safety . Provide property tax relief through an income tax credit equal to 95 cents/$1 ,000 of assessed property value. . Establish a reserve to stabilize services during economic downturns and unforeseen events . Limit the income tax rate to a maximum of 2 percent of net income If not approved by voters, the Board would retain authority to modify the tax rate and to allocate the revenue produced for public purposes. . .~ The Lane County Board of Commissioners unanimousl~ enacted a 1.4 · · · . percent income tax that will apply to personal income, business income and non-resident income earned in Lane County, effective Jan. 1, 2007, if voters approve the Ballot Measure 20-114 on Nov. 7, 2006. The income tax would raise about $68 million per year dedicated by Charter to fund public safety programs and services. The tax applies to personal income, business income and non-resident income earned in Lane County. The Board adopted a rate to cover enhanced programs, and the costs of the tax credits and deductions listed below: . Tax credit of $30/year for income taxpayers who rent their home . Tax credit of about 95 cents per thousand on assessed value on property for Lane County's portion of the property tax . Personal deduction of $7,500 for single taxpayer and $15,000 for those filing a joint or head of household return . A low-income exemption of $1 0,000 adjusted gross income for single tax filer or $20,000 AGI for joint filers and head of household return The income tax goes into effect if voters approve the charter amendment. LANE COUNTY MADE BUDGET REDUCTIONS in 12 out of the last 15 years. This has come about through forest policy changes that decreased the County's timber receipts and through measures 5 and 50 that froze the county property tax rate. Public safety services, which comprise about 65-70 percent of the County's general fund, have received many of the cuts made during the past 15 years, resulting in decreased service and increased risk throughout Lane County. · Lane County's officers per 1,000 persons is half the United State's average. · The District Attorney's Office crime caseload has doubled since 1980, while criminal prosecution staff has been reduced by 30 percent; the investigator staff has been reduced from 11 to 1. One hundred misdemeanor crimes-such as misdemeanor theft and forgery-are no longer prosecuted due to lack offunding for staff in the DA's office. · The Sheriff's Office has 96 unused jail beds due to lack of funds for staffing. In 2005, there were more than 3,700 early releases from jail. About 200 property crimes were reported to the Sheriff's Office each month in 2005. There is no longer an Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team. There are half the detectives as five years ago. ...+