Sheriff's Levy Approved; Enhanced Services To Continue Throughout District

HILLSBORO, OR — Washington County voters on Tuesday night approved the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District Local Option Levy to continue providing Washington County Sheriff's services to urban areas outside of cities in Washington County. The vote passed with 76 percent approval.

The current Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District (ESPD) tax rate of $0.68 per $1,000 of assessed value will continue beginning July 2018 — when the previously approved tax was set to expire. According to the sheriff's office, the ESPD has been approved by voters every time it's come up for renewal since it was first adopted in 1987.

"From everyone at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, thank you for renewing the Enhanced Sheriff’s Patrol District levy," Sheriff Pat Garrett said in a statement. "Your support allows us to continue our law enforcement services including investigating major crimes, advanced training in crisis intervention and ensuring consistent policing services to support population growth in the District over the next five years. Together, we continue to ensure Washington County is the safest urban county in Oregon."

The ESPD guarantees the continuation of sheriff's services by:

• Providing funds for investigating major crimes occurring within the ESPD, including homicide, assault, burglary and domestic violence;
• Helping fund advanced training in crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies for deputies to use when working with individuals experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis; and
• Continuing an enhanced level of law enforcement services in the ESPD, even with projected population growth.

Sheriff's officials estimate the levy will cost roughly $192 for a home assessed at the district average of $282,200. And due to projected increases in assessed property values, officials said, the proposed levy will likely cost about $7.40 more than what is currently paid.

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