Douglas County voters opted to keep the status quo in county government, rejecting a measure to restructure the board of commissioners in Tuesday's election. The measure was one of just a few appearing on a typically spotty ballot in an off-year election.
Measure 10-159 would have made Douglas County a "home rule" county and replaced the three paid, at-large commissioners with five unpaid, part-time commissioners elected from districts.
County leaders past and present and the timber industry lined up against it, and the nos won the day, 76% of the vote to 24% for the yesses.
Elsewhere on a light election night:
- Grants Pass voters approved a three-year extension of a property tax for police and fire services, 71% yes to 29% no.
- Springfield voters passed a similar measure, a five-year levy to provide money for the police and jail, 68% yes to 32% no.
- Eugene will have more money to fix up streets, after a $51 Million bond issue passed for street repairs and bicycle and pedestrian projects. 61% of voters chose yes, 39% no.
- Phoenix-Talent School District voters passed a bond issue to renovate and expand Phoenix High School and other schools in the district. Results showed 54% yes to 46% no.
- Mendocino County voters passed Measure B, a sales tax of 0.625% to pay for mental health care and facilities in the county. County budget cuts have thinned the ranks of mental health workers, and the county's psychiatric facility closed in 2000. Measure B zoomed to victory, 82% yes to 18% no.
