Jeremy Gordon

Sharing this Polk County work session concerning the possible renewal of the County’s public safety levy.

Earlier this month, Sheriff Garton, District Attorney Felton, and Community Corrections Director Merritt joined the Board of Commissioners for a preliminary discussion of funding and service scenarios presented by the County Administrator.

No decisions were made during the work session. I’m sharing the discussion so residents can hear the information presented as the Board continues its public consideration of this issue.

Polk County 8/18/2026 Tuesday Work Session *The agenda is available on the Polk County's Website in the Agenda...

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right clinical EMT!

This Community Paramedic position is part of an innovative, multi-partner mobile rural health program focused on bringing care directly to people in our rural communities.

A great opportunity to help improve health and access to care across rural Polk County.

Thank you, Polk County Fire District No.1, Willamette Health Council, Polk County Family & Community Outreach, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Northwest Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, and others!

We're hiring a Community Paramedic!

More information at https://www.polkfireor.gov/community-paramedic

Marilyn was a true community champion, devoted civic volunteer, and selfless public servant. Like so many others, I feel incredibly fortunate to have known her. I will always be grateful to have shared with her the joys, challenges, and purpose that come with serving our community. She made Independence and Polk County a better place, and her kindness, generosity, and leadership will be deeply missed.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of City Councilor Marilyn Morton.

Marilyn served on the city council for nearly 25 years, including as council president, and cared deeply for the community she represented. In addition to her service on the city council, she served on several community boards, was involved with local fundraising groups, created the annual Ghost Walk event, produced the monthly 2C1C publication, and shared a love of local history.

"Marilyn was a friend and colleague who loved our community," said Mayor Kate Schwarzler. "She brought a deep knowledge of Independence history, and I will miss her kindness, generosity, and perspective. Our community is stronger because of her selfless commitment to the city."

We extend our deepest condolences to Marilyn's family, friends, and everyone in our community who is grieving her loss. Her love and dedication to Independence and the people within it will not be forgotten.

I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

We have already seen several incidents on our roads, so please take a little extra care as you travel. Slow down, obey posted speeds, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and never drive impaired.

A few extra minutes is always worth it if it means everyone gets home safely.

Take care of yourselves, your families, and your neighbors this weekend.

The Polk County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday regarding Resolution 26-06, which would refer a Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center local option levy to voters on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

The hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the proposal and offer testimony before the Board considers whether to place the measure before Polk County voters.

Community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the public process.

-Wednesday, June 10th @ 9 am and 6 pm
-Board of Commissioners boardroom, Polk County Courthouse

I’ve received questions recently about discussions surrounding a potential AVL (“closest available unit”) ambulance response approach in Polk County.

The Ambulance Service Area (ASA) Committee continues meeting to build consensus around potential AVL response procedures, as recommended through an analysis conducted by county-contracted consultants.

The committee includes fire districts, EMS providers, and community partners working collaboratively to improve emergency medical response coordination across Polk County. A recommendation from the ASA Committee to the Board of Commissioners is forthcoming.

Commissioner Craig Pope serves as the Board liaison to the committee process, and Polk County Emergency Manager Dean Bender chairs the committee and is assisting with staffing and coordination efforts.

As with many regional public safety discussions involving multiple agencies and providers, these conversations take time and coordination. I appreciate the many responders, providers, and community members working collaboratively through the process.

I will be working at the Information SEDCOR booth this morning for the Touch-a-Truck event in Independence.

Hope to see you and the family there! And please consider bringing a food donation for the Ella Curran Food Bank.

There will be a Community Open House on the evening of May 12 regarding the Independence Bridge repair project.

This is an opportunity to learn more about the planned work, timeline, and what it means for our region. There will be opportunity to ask questions directly of the project team.

The Independence Bridge is a critical connection between Independence, Monmouth, and Salem, and an important route for local agriculture and Western Oregon University.

I encourage folks to attend and stay informed. Details in the flyer below.

Polk County Budget Update

There’s been a great deal of discussion about the county budget recently, and I believe it’s important to share a clear and straightforward explanation of where things stand.

The Budget Committee recently reviewed a proposal from the Budget Officer to use a portion of the county’s PERS reserve (a contingency fund established to help manage future increases in retirement and personnel costs) to address rising PERS and healthcare expenses and help avoid reductions in the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office. The Committee narrowly voted against moving forward with that approach.

The budget reflects ongoing pressure from personnel costs outpacing general fund revenue growth, and further adjustments will be considered as the process continues.

This is a math issue. Personnel costs, particularly PERS and health insurance, are increasing in the range of 8–10% annually, while General Fund revenues are growing at a slower pace (approximately 2–4%). That gap is creating pressure, especially within public safety services.

When voters renewed the public safety levy, the expectation was to maintain patrol, jail operations, community supervision, and prosecution services. Maintaining those service levels remains a central focus.

Across the broader budget:

* Health Services and Behavioral Health funding have declined 5%, largely due to changes in federal Medicaid funding and subsequent reductions in contracts. At the same time, reserves in these areas remain stable in the near term.

* Family and Community Outreach programs are adjusting slightly as funding sources shift.

* Public Works experienced an approximate $400,000 reduction tied to the state not adopting a transportation funding package, though the overall fund remains in stable condition.

The larger issue is the structural gap between rising costs and limited revenue growth in the General Fund. Addressing that gap will require careful planning and transparency about future options.

Using reserves strategically can be one tool to help stabilize services while longer-term solutions are considered. We are also awaiting federal SRS/O&C funding, which will help strengthen reserves and is not yet reflected in the current proposal.

As we move forward, the goal is to protect core services, make disciplined financial decisions, and be clear with the public about the challenges and choices ahead.

The next Budget Committee meeting is scheduled for May 20.

Fam Jam is just around the corner!

Fun opportunity for the whole family to connect and register the little ones for kindergarten.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1KVsyuucKm/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Fam Jam is almost here! 🥳🎉

Polk County's biggest FREE family event is just around the corner and you will not want to miss it!

📅 Saturday, April 25th | 10:00am - 2:00pm
📍 Polk County Fairgrounds - 520 S Pacific Hwy W, Rickreall

Here is what to expect:
🚒 SW Polk Fire obstacle course and fire engine up close
📚 Kindergarten registration for fall 2026 with reps from Dallas, Oregon, and Central 13J school districts
🎁 Nearly 50 resource and activity booths plus fun giveaways all day

All of this is completely FREE thanks to sponsors Willamette Health Council and Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, Inc.! 💛

April 25th. Free and fun for the whole family. See you there! 🥳