Curry County Vote, Nov. 7

The push and shove over more taxes to pay for law enforcement coverage in Curry Co. is headed towards a shove from the state.  Voters in the southwest Oregon county said no to another proposed property tax increase to pay for Sheriff’s Office coverage.  Under terms of a law passed earlier this year by the state’s Legislature, Governor John Kitzhaber can now impose taxes to maintain basic public safety services.  However, it also has to be approved by the county’s three-member Commissioner Board.  Tuesday’s election showed about 58% of the county’s voters, who participated in the election, were opposed to the proposed increase from .60-cents per $1,000 assessed value to .61.345-cents per $1,000.  While the county and state weigh their options over law enforcement, voters in Curry Co. did approve a $10 million hospital bond, to build a new hospital in Gold Beach, with nearly two-thirds of the vote, while a request for a levy to purchase a news fire truck in Gold Beach lost.