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FACTS & RESOURCES
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One of the most important responsibilities of county leadership is ensuring public safety — and that starts with understanding the facts.
In 2024, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office Patrol, Criminal, and Civil Divisions operated with an approved budget of $3,678,910, supporting 11 deputies on the road serving our communities.
This fiscal year, that budget has been cut to $1,726,025. That isn’t a minor adjustment — it’s a fundamental shift in how public safety is being prioritized in our county.
The Sheriff is an elected official, chosen by the people to carry out this responsibility. Efforts by the Board of Commissioners to effectively defund the office or override the Sheriff’s authority undermine both public safety and the will of the voters.
We can — and must — do better. Strong communities require consistency, cooperation, and leadership that supports those tasked with keeping us safe.
As Commissioner, I will work directly with the Sheriff to ensure we meet the public safety needs of our communities. That means using available short-term funds to begin rebuilding law enforcement capacity while relentlessly pursuing long-term financial solutions.
If public safety matters to you, stay engaged and follow along.
People keep asking me: “What’s your plan to restore public safety?” As it relates to our current County budget, there are opportunities that have been wasted.
Here’s one significant example: TLT Funds.
The 2025–26 TLT (Transient Lodging Tax) revenue is $2.3 million, plus $1 million in carryover from the prior budget year. What is the purpose of the TLT? To promote tourism, fund local services such as public safety, and to boost our economy.
Of the $3.3 million in total revenues, $1.5 million went to fairgrounds, tourism and promotion, as well as the general fund. While past TLT budgets included funds for the Sheriff's Patrol, Criminal, and Civil divisions, nothing in the current budget went to the Sheriff’s Office!
Under ORS 320.350(5), the Sheriff could have received up to 30% of current TLT revenues. Instead, the Board chose to place $1,806,906 into an operating contingency. These monies could have helped bridge the approximately $2 million cut to the Sheriff’s budget.
This is only one example of budget choices that leave our deputies underfunded.
Read through ORS 320.350(5) here:
https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_320.350