Jeremy Gordon

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! 🥳

Today our Discovery/Evidence team was recognized by the Polk County Board of Commissioners with the STAR (Special Thanks and Recognition) award! In the world of prosecution, justice isn't just done in the courtroom, it includes the commitment of those who serve behind the scenes. Our Discovery/Evidence team works behind the scenes to manage mountains of digital evidence and documentation. Their dedication ensures that every case is handled with the highest level of integrity, transparency, and efficiency.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and this well deserved recognition!

On our way to Washington, D.C. advocating for regional water infrastructure.

This work takes sustained effort, strong partnerships and relationships, and a clear plan. That’s what we’re building for Polk County and its water providers. Grateful to those who kickstarted this effort years ago.

Are you a contractor that is licensed, bonded, and insured in the State of Oregon? Can you install ramps, door or cabinet door handles? Can you provide house cleaning, junk removal, or pest control? Please complete the form to indicate you are interested in partnering with Polk County Family and Community Outreach to provide these services to approved clients.

https://polkoregonjotform.jotform.com/260544832323857

**How to Voice Your Support for Valley of the Giants**

I’ve heard from many of you recently about the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) revision of the Western Oregon Resource Management Plan and what it could mean for places like Valley of the Giants. The BLM is currently accepting public comment as it begins revising these plans, and I encourage people who value the Valley of the Giants ACEC designation to share their views. Links to submit comments are at the end of this msg.

At the same time, it’s important not to be alarmist. The old-growth grove at Valley of the Giants already carries an Outstanding Natural Area designation, which makes it extremely unlikely the grove itself would ever be considered for harvest.

The broader 1,600-acre Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) helps protect the surrounding landscape, while the 51-acre Outstanding Natural Area protects the core stand of towering Douglas-fir and western hemlock.

More broadly, the RMP revision is about how BLM manages millions of acres of O&C lands across western Oregon. These lands were intended to support sustained-yield timber harvest while protecting unique natural areas. With good management, we can do both: preserve special places like Valley of the Giants while responsibly increasing timber harvest levels after decades of under-harvesting. That balance supports family-wage timber jobs, generates revenue for local services, and reduces pressure to harvest more intensively on private forest lands.

I’ve also been working with BLM on restoring access after the winter 2024 debris flow that washed out a culvert on the North Fork Siletz River Road. The Marys Peak Field Office, working with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, plans to replace the damaged culvert with a more durable bridge this spring, pending conditions.

Public input is an important part of this planning process, and I encourage anyone who cares about the future of Valley of the Giants to submit comments to BLM.

You can submit comments via email to:

[email protected]

Or submit them through the Federal Register notice here:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/19/2026-03290/notice-of-intent-to-revise-resource-management-plans-for-northwestern-and-coastal-oregon-and