2016 was ‘one of the best years’ for Lane County, chairman says
By Lillian Schrock
The Register-Guard
Lane County officials enhanced critical public safety and health services in 2016, Board of Commissioners Chairman Faye Stewart said Monday in his State of the County speech…
Stewart noted Lane County last year approved a reduction in the county’s five-year jail property tax levy…
In a bid to curb costs, the county also eliminated vacant jobs, shifted to a self-funded health insurance system for employees and started using existing legal staff for litigation rather than paying legal fees…
The jail expanded its number of local beds to 317, which reduced the number of early releases…
In addition, the sheriff’s office in March returned to 24-hour deputy patrol coverage in rural areas…
Last year, county officials worked with the city of Eugene to shelter more than 400 homeless veterans, he said…