Measure 8-114 – Tax Levy for Curry County Law Enforcement
Measure 18-114 is a proposed 5-year property tax levy in Curry County. The levy would increase property taxes by $2.23/$1,000 of assessed property value. The levy is estimated to raise over $8 million each year.
The Notice of Measure Election says these funds would allow the Curry County Sherriff’s Office to improve all aspects of public safety, “Including but not limited to the addition of new patrol deputies to ensure Countywide 24-hour services, approved response times, and enhanced jail services for both County and City arrests.”
The levy funds will be overseen by an appointed Review Board, consisting of seven Curry County citizens. They will be tasked with ensuring that funds are spent within the stated areas of the measure.
A town hall meeting was held April 17 at the Chetco Grange Community Center. In response to a question from Curry County Republican Chairperson Jennifer White, the sheriff and all three commissioners affirmed that 100% of the proceeds would fund sheriff’s department services only and not used for any other purpose.
Local Candidates
Commissioner Jay Trost, County Assessor Kiley M. Wegner and County Clerk Shelley Denney are running unopposed for reelection. The term for these positions is four years.
There are two contested positions on the May 21 primary ballot.
Curry County Sheriff, Term of 4 years
John L Ward, the incumbent, is a Republican. He has served as Curry County sheriff for nine years, including two as appointed sheriff and seven as elected sheriff. He has 32 years of law enforcement and public safety experience.
Jeremy Krohn, a Republican, is a jail commander lieutenant with the Curry County Sheriff’s Office. He has ten years of experience with the rank of sergeant and is an ODPS certificate holder from basic to supervisory. Krohn has no prior elected governmental experience.
Thomas Eslinger has no stated party affiliation. Currently with the USPS, he has nine years of experience with Oklahoma Department of Corrections and holds a BS in Earth Science from Portland State University. Eslinger has no prior elected governmental experience.
Curry County Commissioner, Position 2, Term of 4 Years
John Herzog, the incumbent, is a Republican. He has served as Curry County commissioner since 2021.
Patrick Hollinger, a Republican, is self-employed in Lodge and Guide services and earned a Bachelors in Business & Tourism Management at Humboldt University. He currently serves on the Port of Gold Beach Commission and the Central Curry School Board.
More information on each measure and candidate is available on the Curry County website:
https://www.co.curry.or.us/government/county_clerk/current_election_information.php