Jackson County Government Adopted in 1999 (Click here for the full report of the Study Committee) Concerning the overall functioning of county government, the League believes that the Board of Commissioners (BOC) as the legislative and principal policy making agency of the county should pass appropriate ordinances, approve all budget decisions and act in its quasi-judicial capacity in land use matters. Composition: The League supports a Board of Commissioners of 5 or more members. The commissioners should be elected either at large or by a combination of district/at large and should be elected on a non-partisan basis. The League supports considering other options to full time paid commissioners. County Administrative Officer: The League supports the BOC's delegation of administrative functions to a professional administrator, but reasserts the League's position that policy making shall be reserved to the BOC and that overall responsibility for all functions of the County's government ultimately rests with the Board of Commissioners. The League believes that the position of Administrator should be incorporated in the County Charter in order to give more stability to that position. It further believes that the qualifications of that position should be established by ordinance. Elected Department Heads: Concerning elected department heads, the League believes that those offices which require expertise in a professional field, are not required to make policy decisions, and are not politically sensitive, should be appointive rather than elective. The League believes that the Office of Treasurer should be abolished with those duties assigned to the Finance Officer. That office should be made appointive and the Charter amended to reflect these changes. The League believes that Jackson County should establish by ordinance qualifications for the office of Financial Officer. The League believes that the offices of Assessor and Surveyor should be appointive rather than elected and that the Charter should be amended to reflect these changes. The qualifications of those offices must conform to state requirements. Citizen Participation in Jackson County Government: Concerning policies and procedures that facilitate citizen involvement, the League: 1. Continues to emphasize the importance of citizen involvement and citizen participation in the establishing of policy through citizen advisory groups and commissions. 2. Believes that the BOC should provide widespread notice throughout the county of all vacancies on advisory boards and commissions. The Board should establish terms of service and qualifications for such positions. It should conduct interviews and select candidates who will bring diversity and experience in their service to the County. 3. Reaffirms its belief in the importance of the Oregon Open Meetings Law. Notices and agendas for all public meetings of the BOC should be given widespread advance publicity in media throughout the county.   Charter Amendments: The League believes that the Charter's election laws, (Charter, Chapter VII, Section 28: 1,4,5) should be amended to conform with state statutes. This would correct the current inconsistent time intervals regarding initiative and referendum.       Land Use Revised in 1982 The League of Women Voters of the Rogue Valley support the Statewide Planning Goals and guidelines adopted by the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), from 1974-76. These goals provied overall planning standards and establish the framework for land use planning programs of all governmental agencies and bodies in the state.   Comprehensive Plans: Support planning which is based on optimum desireable population as related to resource limitations rather than pure population projection from past growth rates. Support coordinated and cooperative growth planning and policies among all governmental units. Comprehensive citizen participation in all phases of the planning process. Support the Urban Growth Boundary Concept, with development of increased density within the urban service boundary, which helps preserve outlying resource land and allows more efficient use of public facilities. Support planning which gives top priority to air quality in relation to growth development. Support the development and maintenance of a complete and diverse inventory/data base on which to evaluate present and long-range planning decisions. Support adequate funding for personnel to strictly enforce ordinances and regulations as applied to private owners, business and industry and public agencies. Forest Lands Support management of Forest Lands for the benefit of appropriate inter-related uses:         * timber production;         * livestock grazing, with care to prevent over-grazing;         * watershed protection and aquifer recharge maintenance;         * wild life and fisheries habitat;         * recreation; and         * carefully controlled mining. Support adequate buffering techniques to protect forest lands from incompatible land uses. Present policies of State and Federal administration in terms of amount of land and types of land involved and O&C revenue distribution formula should be retained. Support adequate standards for logging roads, based on future use or abandonment.   Agricultural Lands Promotes identification, evaluation and preservation of Agricultural Lands as defined in statewide goals for present and future use. Support adequate protection for Agricultural Lands provded through buffering lands to be designated on the adjacent non-farm land, exemption of any farm land from the exclusive farm category be documented with adequate findings.   Public Facilities and Services Promotes availability and provision of services for current and future population growth is major factor guiding the planning and direction of growth within the country, the Urban Growth Boundary designating the dividing line between establishing urban and rural densities. Provision of services beyond this line be considered in the light of the impact of development on rural areas, the cost involved in development, and the effect the development will have on non-committed resource lands. Believe county government should be recognized as the coordinating authority which must guide the decisions made when Public Facilities and Services are extended into rural and urbanizable areas. Support systems development charges be implemented to equitably spread the cost of such facilities among those who will derive the most benefit from these services. Support actions which create a balance between providing public facilities and insuring orderly growth in a manner that is in harmony with the county comprehensive plan and its policies.   Air and Water Pollution Promotes education programs which emphasize individual responsibility as well as that business and industry, to improve air and water quality.   Energy Conservation Promotes planning which incorporates energy considerations (both long and short term benefits) in all components of the Comprehensive Plan, empahsis upon alternative energy technologies, restraint in the use of nonrenewable resources.   Economy Promotes development of programs which improve and diversify the economic base, with due consideration for air, water, land and human resources, development of programs which support and encourage expansion of existing small businesses, diversified new industries which emphasize the use of local skills and resource base, development of tourism as an important part of our economy but it must be balanced with the need to protect the liveability and natural attractiveness of the area.   Transportation (Revised 5/95) Support the Statewide Planning Goals and guidelines adopted by the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC). These goals provide overall planning standards and establish the framework for land use planning program of all governmental agencies and bodies in the state. Planning. Support (1) environmentally acceptable, energy efficient, and equitable transportation alternatives to individual automobile use. This could include a public transportation system, car pooling, pakr and ride, bicycles and pedestrian walkways--an integrated multi-modal system, (2) careful analysis of road placement in terms of impact on land use and need, (3) mixed-use subdivisions, grid street systems, and open cul-de-sacs, (4) inclusion of reserve corridors and greenways in urban planning, (5) co-operation in transportation planning among state, county and all cities in the county, (6) public transit system responsive to commuters, disabled, and elderly, including covered facilities for passengers while they wait, (7) integration of bike lanes, signed routes, and paths into road and street systems, with secure bicycle parking facilities in commercial districts and high density residential areas, (8) use of bicycle security patrols downtown and on multi-use trails, (9) direct routs where ever possible to decrease circuitous vehicular travel, (10) citizen participation at all stages of planning and project development, including the establishment of a permanent Transportation Commission. Funding. Believe taxation and assessment policies should provide adequate support for transportation construction and maintenance, using federal, state and local sources. Education. Believe community education on transportation issues and alternatives is essential.     Medford City Charter Adopted April 1975 - Revised 1999 Support the Medford City Charter of 1999.     Local Government Adopted March 1978 Support the concept of home rule in Jackson and Josephine Counties primarily because it would give the citizen greater control over local government, an initial charter similar to present county government because it would be understandable and workable; in the future each change could be thoroughly explored and debated before adoption by the voters and the Jackson County Charter as submitted by the Home Rule Charter Committee for decision in 1978. (said charter adopted by the people).     Juvenile Justice Adopted in 1999 Promote having adequate staff to provide comprehensive services to youth including assessment, appropriate sanctions and treatment for juvenile offenders. Support development of facilities and strategies able to serve the growing population of Jackson County juvenile offenders. Support developing facilities and strategies for providing services to at-risk and non-offender youth and their families. Support development of cooperation between all parties dealing with children and youth including Juvenile Department, Services for Children and Families, Schools, Jackson County Health and Human Services, other appropriate government agencies, parents and non-profit social service agencies. Adult Mental Health Josephine County 1978 The LWVRV supports adequate hospital space for psychiatric patients, early treatment for pre-school and school age children, a separate de-tox center, and an Interagency Coordinator.