Commissioner John Sweet files to continue county service, March 16

Commissioner Sweet release – COQUILLE – Citing improved county efficiency – by doing more with fewer resources – Commissioner John Sweet has filed for re-election to the Coos County Board of Commissioners. “It’s been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the citizens of this county as commissioner for the past nine years,” Sweet said. “It’s been an honor to do this work and I’ve decided to run for another term. I love this place. I think we’ve made great strides the past few years and I would love to help us continue down that path.” During Sweet’s tenure, the county has found innovative ways to do more with less. Coos County survives on the second lowest county property tax rate in the state. Rather than raising taxes, the county has consolidated departments and successfully generated non-tax revenues to fund county operations. County parks and other departments used to be a burden on the county’s general fund. By operating solely from fees paid by those who use the services, those departments now are generating about $400,000 annually that go toward funding other county services in addition to becoming completely self-sustaining operations. The Parks Department has continued expanding and is working on a new RV park at Riley Ranch, expected to generate between $200,000 and $300,000 per year. Sweet cites breaking down barriers between county departments to operate more efficiently as a big win for the county and its residents. Coos County constructed a new Health Department building without raising new taxes, or using property tax dollars to cover the cost. Under the county’s current leadership, an additional 2,000 acres have been added to the Coos County Forest. Now at 17,000 acres, the forest is a valuable asset which – logged on a sustained yield basis – provides revenues to fund necessary county services without raising taxes. The county generates $6 million in property tax revenue and about $3 million from harvests in the county forests. By consolidating departments, the county was able to vacate and sell the North Bend Annex building, eliminating the costs associated with that building. The county also added 30 miles of bike trails near Whiskey Run to augment the local tourism economy, bringing more money into the local economy. That has been a huge draw for mountain bikers from all over the country. “We did this as a team and I am grateful to have worked with the two other commissioners, as well as other elected and appointed leaders to make this happen,” Sweet said. “We have a hard-working group of employees who love this county and go to work every day to make this place better for our residents and visitors. It’s an honor to work with and help lead such a passionate group of people.” But there is more that needs to be done. Sweet says the county must do something to address its criminal justice system’s shortcomings. “We can put all the police officers you want out on the streets, but the justice system is complex,” Sweet said. “We need to have enough beds available in the jail. We have to have enough deputy district attorneys to prosecute crimes and we have to have a strong parole and probation system to make sure those who qualify for that form of sentencing are held accountable for getting on the right track. We need to solidify and strengthen many of those pieces, and I want to focus on that as a priority for the next four years.” A Bandon High School graduate who comes from a family of many generations in Coos County, Sweet has strong roots in the county. He earned two degrees – one in forestry and another in business – from Oregon State University. Following college, Sweet served the nation in the United States Army. After returning home, Sweet worked for a short term in the timber industry. Then he went to work for Sause Bros. Ocean Towing – a career that lasted 38 years – and has lived and worked in Coos County ever since. He currently serves as a director on the Judith Ann Mogan Foundation. He previously served on The Ford Family Foundation Board of Directors, as well as holding board of directors positions with Security Bank and Western Bank. “From working on the family farm as a young man and then throughout my adult life, in addition to working in the local business community, I understand the need to do more with less,” Sweet said. “It also gives me a profound understanding of our local economy, where we have been, and an appreciation for where we need to go in order to have a bright and vibrant future. I would be honored to have the chance to serve Coos County as we continue to move toward that bright future.”