By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
Linn County residents will be asked to vote on a four-year law enforcement tax levy on the November 2025 ballot, replacing the existing levy that will expire in 2026.
Tuesday morning, Aug. 5, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker approved placing a levy of $3.08 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation on the ballot.
It would replace the current law enforcement tax levy of $2.98 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Current law enforcement tax levy funds are distributed to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, 76%; Juvenile Department, 14% and District Attorney’s Office, 10%.
Sheriff Michelle Duncan told the commissioners that high inflation over the first two years of the current four-year levy has resulted in significant price increases for materials and services. She added that vehicle prices are up about 50%.
“There are also new expectations for Emergency Management and Search and Rescue,” Sheriff Duncan said.
She said the process is shifting more toward rescue efforts and with that comes an additional critical medical care component.
Funds would also enhance and promote emergency preparedness and response to wildfires, flooding, severe weather and other catastrophic events, according to written information presented to the commissioners.
The levy would generate an estimated $184,595,812 over its four years, beginning July 1, 2026.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Approved transferring $103,104 within the General Fund from non-departmental to General Services. The money will pay for improvements to be made to the Old Armory Building parking lot.
- Approved an amendment to the Muddy Creek (Bowers Drive) Bridge Project, for the Road Department. The amendment updates language, adds right-of-way and construction phases and increases federal funds available from $337,833.45 to $2,561,522.31.
- Reappointed Jennifer Stanaway to a three-year term on the 4-H and Extension Service District Budget Committee.
- Reappointed Roger Nyquist and Reagan Knopp to the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council.
- Appointed Gabriella Valdez to a position on the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board.
- Appointed Kerry Johnson and Erik Anderson to the Linn County Planning Commission.
- Approved a $2,750 refund by the Linn County Planning & Building Department to James Sapp and Randal Sapp of Lebanon.
- Approved Pay Plans for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
- Approved a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Linn County Juvenile Detention Association. The agreement calls for Cost of Living Adjustments of 3.5% the first year and 3% each of the following two years.