Marion County 2012 Key Departmental Accomplishments

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    MARION COUNTY

    2012 DEPARTMENTAL KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    ASSESSORS OFFICE

    1. Assessment and Taxation Software ConversationThis past year the office has continued to be engaged in a conversion project for a newassessment and taxation software package. At this point, we are entering into the design/buildphase of programming to meet our business needs. On the data conversion track we havesuccessfully completed the data mapping and conversion of data in the records module, themost complex data in the system. The project is on schedule and budget with the projected golive date of February 28, 2014.

    2. Focus on Real Market Value

    With the advent of Measure 50 the focus turned away from Real Market Value. The emphasiswas placed on adding new value or exception value. Added exception value leads to greater

    Assessed Value, the value taxes are calculated on. This change in focus created atransformation in our business model that put the responsibility for the RMV research in thehands of a few people. Over time, this had the effect of diminishing the need for appraisers toobtain a detailed knowledge of their assigned areas. This past year we have placed renewedemphasis in having the individual appraiser turn to the market to gain first hand information toaid in the determination of values. This ongoing process is being accommodated by increasingappraisers participation in the creation of factors of valuation and sales verifications.

    3. Business Model Efficiencies

    There have been many incremental improvements over the past year. An example would behow our rural appraisal section administers farm and forest assessments. In the past, we havefollowed the law as it is written in the statutes. In doing so, this gave the taxpayer 10 days toshow cause as to why they should not be disqualified from a special assessment program. Thiswould often cause immediate concern on the part of the taxpayer and take up a great deal of anappraisers time to address the taxpayers concerns.

    Appraisers should be appraising property. Instead, a great deal of their time was spent dealingwith disqualification issues. Taxpayers faced with the prospect of having their taxes markedlyincrease created certain conflict between appraiser and property owner. The practice also putthe appraiser in the role of a land use advisor, as they were being asked specific advice onsuch things as crops, expected yields, and species. Again, this took away valuable appraisal

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    time when the taxpayer would be better served obtaining information from the State of OregonDepartments of Agriculture, Forestry or Fish and Game.

    The solution to the problem was simple and legal. Instead of giving the property owner onlyten days to show cause, our current practice allows them a year. This took a great deal ofpressure off the situation. The revised procedure had the additional positive outcome ofmeeting all of our goals in using staffs time more efficiently, achieving compliance with

    programs, improving customer relationships by not creating a cop on the beat situation andby communicating expert information to our taxpayers.

    4. Customer Service for Taxpayers and Taxing Districts

    As mentioned earlier in our administration of special assessments, one of the ways weincreased customer service was conveying the best possible data and sources of information toour customers. Our customers not only include taxpayers, but also real estate, insurance, title,financial and legal professionals. We also serve the taxing districts within our county. Wehave greatly improved our websites with data to serve all of our customers. This has greatlydiminished outside requests for data as much of their needs are met without the need to directlycontact the office.

    For example, taxing districts rely heavily on our office for information to help them create anannual budget. To aid in this process, we began including specific value information on ourwebsite for major jurisdictions. Our future goal is to continue to expand to include additionaldistricts.

    BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OFFICE

    1. Courthouse Square

    In April 2012, through a rigorous competitive process,

    Structural Preservation Systems, LLC was selected as thedesign-build firm to complete the remediation ofCourthouse Square. Completion of remediation isscheduled for spring 2014.

    2. Events

    The commissioners organized five events in 2012:

    In April, the Board of Commissioners held the opening for a permanent exhibit at the MarionCounty Courthouse. The exhibit, Community Hall, contains a display of each of the twentycities within the Marion County boundary. Commissioner Sam Brentano spearheaded this

    project visiting all of the cities and ensuring full participation.

    The Marion County Fair, July 12th through the 15th included the Commissioners OpeningDay Dinner with sponsors, legislators, city officials and other guests. The Commissioners co-sponsored the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Greeters Program at the fair. These eventspublicized and recognized those who make the fair a successful event.

    On Friday, August 10 at the Volcanoes Stadium, the 7th annual Striking Out Meth in MarionCounty drew an attendance of 4,242. Because of 41 generous sponsors, youth received game

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    tickets, meal vouchers, t-shirts, baseballs and a chance to experience a professional baseball game.Major support was received from McDonalds of Salem-Keizer, SELCO Community Credit Union,Marion County Children and Families Commission, the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, andSilverton Health. The Boys and Girls Club of Salem, the Salvation Army Kroc Center, andSilverton YMCA/Silverton Together brought 224 youth and their chaperones. In addition, theBleacher Buddies program brought in 350 foster youth.

    To support economic development in Marion County, members of the Economic DevelopmentAdvisory Board (EDAB) convened the first Economic Summit on October 17, 2012 inKeizer. Through lively conversation and positive interaction among 120 leaders in both thepublic and private sectors, a number of recommendations were suggested by participants.EDAB will prioritize these issues in forming its 2013 Strategic Plan.

    Also, in October the fourth annual, Marion County Reentry Initiative Breakfast had over200 people in attendance. Over $15,000 was donated and pledged for services for offendersreentering the community.

    3. Marion County Reentry Initiative

    The Marion County Reentry Initiative was selected as one of eight sites to participate in anational demonstration project evaluation. The initiative also received continuation fundingfrom the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Second Chance Act. This fundinghelped retain services such as Student Opportunity for Achieving Results (SOAR), prisonreach-ins, housing, cognitive and treatment programming, the De Muniz Pine Street ResourceCenter, and employment assistance. The fourth annual "Giving People a Second Chance"reentry breakfast generated funds for client services.

    4. Administrative Policies

    Six administrative policies were revised or newly developed in 2012. These were:Administrative Policies and Procedures Authorization, Establish New, Amend or Rescind

    County Policies, Appointments to Advisory Boards, Bylaws of Advisory Boards, ProtectedLeave, and Investment of Public Funds. Procedures for The Customer Service Program policyand the Injured Worker policy were also revised.

    5. MCBEE

    The business enterprise project, MCBEE is implementing the Oracle Information FinancialManagement System Release 12 upgrade. The upgrade installation will be operational in thespring of 2013.

    6. Central Services Workgroup

    Growing out of MCBEE, the Central Services Workgroup is comprised of the Directors of

    Finance, Legal Counsel, Information Technology, Business Services, and Board ofCommissioners Office. The purpose of this group is to coordinate activities and policies toassure efficient county operations.

    7. Budget

    The 2012-13 budget was prepared, presented and approved by the Board of Commissioners.The budget continued all county services, but heavily affected reserves.

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    BUSINESS SERVICES DEPARTMENT

    1. Human Resources

    a. Marion County Training and Development Strategic Plan completedb. Successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements with Marion County Employees

    Association (MCEA), Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and Marion County CriminalJustice Employees Association (MCJEA)

    c. Marion County has 2,063 active volunteers

    2. Risk (incl. Benefits and Wellness)

    a. Negotiated insurance settlement on Courthouse Squareb. Changed life insurance carriers resulting in an annual savings of $117,387c. Selected as one of the states top ten healthiest employers of 2012 by Portland Business

    Journal (category 500-1499 employees). Marion County placed third.d. All county departments have completed Continuation of Operations Plan (COOP).

    3. Facilities

    a. Replaced all of the lighting in the courthouse parking structure. Courtroom 2A was also

    completely re-lamped with attractive and remotely controlled, low-energy fixtures. Thesemeasures will save the county $33,025 per year in energy costs and were completely paidfor out of grant funds.

    b. Installed a high quality entry vestibule at the dog shelter to solve the severe wind problemat the site.

    c. Selected, installed and administered the new computerized maintenance managementsystem (CMMS) called Facility Dude for tracking and supervising all work orders for thecounty.

    CLERKS OFFICE

    1. Elections

    The Clerks Office conducted four elections in 2012, a March Keizer Fire District election, theMay Primary, the November General, and a December City of Detroit election.

    Costs were significantly cut for the Presidential Primary and General Elections compared tothe last Presidential Election cycle in 2008. This was largely due to successful implementationof the Hart Intercivic ballot development and vote tally system and to developing and fine-tuning new ballot processing procedures, including using a scale to count ballots beforescanning.

    For the November Presidential Election, we issued 154,526 ballots.122,596 ballot packets were received.121,665 ballots tallied.3,686 ballots reissued or replaced.

    74 ballots to military or overseas voters were mailed, receiving 63back.

    2. Licensing and Recording

    a. Recorded 56,425 land-related documentsb. Issued 2368 marriage licenses

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    c. Processed 672 passport applicationsd. Collected $3,329,159.54, of which $1,276,996.50 was classified recording income.e. Back scanned, digitally redacted and loaded 453 reels (approximately 226,500 documents)

    into the land record system allowing the public to access land records now back to mid-1988.

    f. Upgraded the recording software and issued our first email billing on September 5, 2012.This upgrade streamlines the process for making microfilm and for numbering and labeling

    documents. These changes bring us closer to the ability to e-record.g. Implemented a customer satisfaction surveyh. Partnered with County Surveyor Mark Riggins to revamp plat processes within our

    office(s). Some plats are now scanned into our system for public viewing.i. Passed the Federal Passport audit, assuring compliance.

    3. Records Management and Archives

    a. 2447 records (2717 files and 276 boxes) were pulled and delivered.b. Had a 31% increase in requests for archiving with 134 orders accessioned in 2012

    compared to 102 orders in 2011. In total, 1743 boxes (approximately 44,000 to 61,000pounds) were archived and 1205 boxes (29,908 pounds) were incinerated.

    c. Created, cleaned, and inspected 125 reels of microfilm as well as performed quality controlon the 453 reels back-scanned as mentioned under Licensing and Recording.

    4. Board of Property Tax Appeals

    482 filings were received and 449 hearings were conducted. There are 828 filings for 2013.

    COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

    The Community Services Department took shape on July 1, 2012 and includes the Children andFamilies Commission, Dog Services, the Marion County Fair, and the grant to OSU Extension

    Service.1. Children and Families Commission promotes safe and successful children, youth,families and communities. The commission receives funding from the state of Oregon.Funding is not expected to continue past June 30, 2013.2012 Accomplishments include:a. Strengthening families:

    Served 275 families through Healthy Start, including 21% increase in families screenedand completed 3,436 home visits.

    Served 2,012 families in parenting classes and family-centered trainings through theInvestment for Community Progress funding model.

    b. Promoting community and family literacy:

    ViaReading for All, collected 25,285 books through the 2012 Holiday Book Drive;distributing over 26,000 books to young children and families.

    Supported or facilitated more than 90 community events including a conference. Produced the Growing Readers DVD for parents showing how to implementeffective reading for early learners at home. Serving more than 11,000 youth through after school and positive youth developmentprograms.

    c. Launching the DrxugSafe Project: In 2012 the Children and Families Commissionlaunched DrxugSafe (www.drxugsafe.com) in order to raise awareness about the dangersof prescription drug abuse and its connection to heroin addiction and death by overdose.

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    This is a collaborative, multi-agency project with plans for community forums in 2013.

    2. Dog Services: The dog shelter received 1,664 dogs in 2012 (198 less than in 2011).a. Lost Dogs: Return to owner - 40%, adopted - 16%, sent to rescue or another shelter - 15%,

    euthanized - 28%, deceased on arrival - 1%.b. Licensing: 16,492 licenses renewed or issued new (decrease from 2011); launched public

    awareness effort to increase licensing.

    3. Marion County Fair: 2012 Attendance: 26,806, down 2.76% from 27,547 in 2011

    4. OSU Extension Service2012 Accomplishments

    a. On-farm research for field cropping systems resulted in new harvestingtechniques; improved grass seed yield, reduced fertilizer applications, new plantingtechniques that decrease erosion, and new wheat varieties that increased yield.

    b. New pest monitoring and information distribution methods were implemented thatreduced pesticide application.c. On-farm research of flax seed was started this year to identify growning methods that

    are profitable as a new rotational crop and allow for better weed and pest control.d. A variety of research projects continued at the North Willamette Research and

    Extension Center including development of a blueberry tree and evaluating varieties ofblackberries to be grown organically. The project is the largest organic berry researchproject in the world.e. This past year, over 600 volunteers provided approximately 40,000 hours of service tocommunities and is valued at approximately $700,000.

    f. 4-H has been developing new programs aimed at improving science, technology,engineering and math skills. A Marion County 4-H Lego-Robotics Club qualified andparticipated in the State Championship Tournament. 4-H started a new Tech Wizardprogram with students participating in several projects such as videography, robotics and

    GPS (global positioning systems) and GIS (geographic information systems).g. Master Gardener volunteers staff the Home Gardener help line and serve over 2,000

    clients each year. Master Gardeners staff plant clinics at various venues and sponsora school education program in 19 Salem-Keizer classrooms, reaching over 500 youth.

    h. Family and Community Health Extension faculty and staff provided nutritioneducation to 5,000 youth in 185 kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms in income-eligible schools.

    DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE

    1. Participated in DrugSafe Initiative, a collaborative community awareness effort to addressthe rising concern for prescription drug abuse and heroin overdose deaths.

    2. Conducted office-wide trainings to employees and volunteers on the dynamics of DomesticViolence and on the Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting law.

    3. Participated in the update and revision of Child Abuse Investigative Protocol, incollaboration with the local child abuse multidisciplinary team and the communities in MarionCounty.

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    4. Participated in the establishment of a Marion County Veterans Court Docket, designed toconnect veterans to local resources and hold offenders accountable for criminal behavior.

    5. Victim Assistance provided services to more than 5,792 victims of crime and providedmore than 50,427 services to victims of crime. Victim Assistance sent 26,782 notices tovictims of crime in the last 12 months, informing them of their rights, court dates, and casestatus. Community volunteers donated 18,401 hours to Victim Assistance.

    6. Ninety percent (90%) of victims who provided feedback stated that as a result of theinformation provided by the Victim Assistance Program, they better understand their rights asa victim of crime.

    7. Participated in a collaborative process to develop a Sexual Assault Response Protocol.

    8. Participated with Clackamas County Victim Assistance in providing crisis intervention andsupportfollowing the mall shooting.9. Support enforcement collected over $16.7 million on approximately 4,286 cases, processed

    over 360 paternity establishments and modifications, and attended approximately 2,500 courtand administrative hearings.

    10. Support Enforcement collected nearly $55.27 per $1 of county general funds expended.

    11. Medical examiner program investigated a total of 224 deaths, 11 homicides, 22 infantdeaths and 53 suicides.

    12. Filed 606 juvenile delinquencies, 668 dependency petitions, and processed 1,418 earlydisposition cases in the adult prosecution program.

    FINANCE DEPARTMENT

    1. Received the Certificate of Award from the Government Finance Officer's Association(GFOA) for excellence in financial reporting for the 11th consecutive year.

    2. Received the Government Finance Officer's Association "Distinguished Budget PresentationAward" program for the first time. To meet the requirements of this program, additionalschedules and documentation were required to be added to the annual budget book. Receiptof the award acknowledges that our budget document meets certain standards of excellence forproviding useful information to the citizens of Marion County in a manner consistent with

    other governments across the country.

    3. Expanded the use of Purchase Cards (P-Cards) to the Public Works Department, makingdistribution of P-Cards complete throughout the county.

    4. Began the Oracle Release 12 Upgrade project with scheduled completion in May 2013.Significant work has been completed with Finance, Information Technology, Treasury, andBusiness Services - Human Resources and Benefits programs, all working together on theproject team.

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    5. Finance worked as part of the team with the Board's Office, Legal Counsel, and Risk tonegotiate a contract for the remediation of Courthouse Square.

    6. Implemented several changes, as part of a project team (with the Board's Office, BusinessServices, Information Technology, Children and Families and Public Works) to the budgetand accounting modules to accommodate the reorganization of the Community ServicesDepartment.

    7. With the assistance of the Information Technology Department and Business Services,implemented improved processes for payroll reversals and expanded insurance benefits withCIGNA.

    8. Streamlined the budget development and public presentation process.

    HEALTH DEPARTMENT

    1. Healthy Start

    Marion County Health Department's partnership with the MarionCounty Community Services Departments Healthy Start programachieved a number of positive milestones:a. Fostering a better understanding among health department staff of

    the services that Healthy Start agencies (Family Building Blocks,Easter Seals, and Catholic Community Services) provide andlikewise assuring development of a better understanding of HealthDepartment services on their part.

    b. Creating an opportunity for Family Building Blocks staff and Health Department nursingstaff to conduct a pilot project of joint, supportive phone calls to women with positiveHealthy Start screens. This supports families that are waiting for service within the first 90

    days after the infant's birth and should lead to moresuccessful engagement with families.

    2. Secure Information Exchange

    Willamette Valley Community Health (WVCH) has elected to participate in the use of theStates Health Information Exchange (CareAccord) secure e-mail product (Direct SecureMessaging). The Health Department implemented a pilot project in October and is scheduledto have all staff using this system by early 2013 for the secure exchange of client servicesinformation. Providers of healthcare will be able to exchange client information securelywithin the department, with WVCH partners, and with other State healthcare agencies

    participating in Direct Secure Messaging. This will assist us in better coordinating care forthose we serve.

    3. Mental Health-Law Enforcement Collaboration

    In 2011, the Health Department and the Sheriffs Office established the Crisis OutreachResponse Team (CORT), an innovative project designed to channel persons with mental illnessaway from the criminal justice system and into treatment. CORT partners a deputy with amental health specialist who provides outreach to persons who have been having multiplecontacts with law enforcement.

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    In 2012 the Marion County Sheriff was successful with two grant applications resulting inadditional financial support for the CORT project. One of these, a Bureau of Justice Assistance(BJA) grant, will result in additional resources for the Health Department. We are in processof adding;

    a. One additional day of a mental health specialist. This means the team willhave coverage five days a week and on one day, two teams in the community.

    b. Four hours of nurse practitioner time. Not uncommonly, the CORT staffencounters persons who have discontinued their medications or are in need of a medicationadjustment. This will allow CORT to quickly get someone some medication assistance,regardless of their ability to pay.

    c. Eight hours a week of a substance abuse peer mentor. Many of the mentalhealth clients seen have co-occurring disorders. This person will be available to encourageand link individuals to A&D treatment and supports.

    d. Crisis Associates (CAs) are often used for transportation; helping clients to navigatesystems like Social Security or Disability Services, and providing a host of othercommunity supports.

    4. Supported Employment Services

    2012 was a year of expansion and integration of Supported Employment Services. This highfidelity evidenced based practice results in competitive employment for Health Departmentclients. With financial support from Community and Provider Services (CAPS) our AdultBehavioral Health program(ABH) added a second, full time supported employment specialistthis past year. Prior to this addition we had a waiting list of around eight months to receivesupported employment services. With our new employee we currently have no waiting list.

    In an effort to share ideas and resources, the ABH supported employment specialists and theEarly Assessment and Support Alliances (EASAs) supported employment specialist joined

    together to form a larger, supported employment team.

    In the last quarter of 2011 supported employment services at the Health Department servedthirty nine individuals in this program with nineteen of those now employed. In the thirdquarter of 2012 that number grew to sixty five served and forty four employed. Of the twentysupported employment programs statewide, our program rises to the top in two areas. First, wehave the highest percentage of persons obtaining employment in the state. Secondly, we are ator near the top in the percentage of individuals that are graduating from services; in otherwords, they are employed and no longer need supports to remain employed. Both areoutstanding outcomes and are providing Marion County mental health consumers a greatresource- to help find work and a high rate of becoming successfully employed.

    5. Childrens Behavioral Health Latino Services

    2012 demonstrated a growth in the percentage of those receiving services provided by theHealth Departments, Childrens Behavioral Health (CBH) programs Latino program. Thenumbers of Latinos served increased from 40 individuals (35%) of the total program in 2007 to571 individuals (56%) in 2012. CBH has led a concentrated effort toward outreach to theLatino community for the past several years. This has been accomplished through partneringwith several community agencies, including: Head Start (Oregon Child DevelopmentCoalition and Community Action Head Starts), child care centers, Woodburn Family Learning

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    Center, local churches, and four school districts in Northern Marion County (Woodburn,Hubbard, Gervais, St Paul). Services are promoted in locations that are owned and operated byLatino community members such as: restaurants, barber shops, convenient stores, bakerystores, ice cream shops because we know that word of mouth and trust is essential inmaintaining positive relationships with those we serve.

    CBH staff make contact through participation in local community events such as: SaturdayMarkets; Music and Market Festival; Fiesta Mexicana parade; Dia del Nino; Bi-nationalHealth Fair; Parent/Teacher conference day; Chalk Festival

    6. Fostering Attachment Treatment Court

    The Fostering Attachment Treatment Court (FATC) grant allows for monies to fund a holisticprogram of healing that strives to return children, who have been put in States custodybecause of their parents drug or alcohol issues, to their parents in a safe and timely manner.The FATC team includes drug and alcohol counselors, mental health therapists, lawyers,judges and DHS caseworkers.

    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

    1. Modified and updated the Information Technology Strategic Plan setting direction,establishing goals, identifying technology requirements and performance measures.

    2. Updated and adjusted the Information Technology Roadmap demonstrating technologyneeds based upon criticality, which will require funding over the next five (5) years.

    3. Consolidated the Network Operations and Technical Support sections to improve customerservice and enhance communication.

    4. Successfully installed the hardware required to support the Financial System softwareupgrade to Release 12 (R12) by 2013. Project is 66% complete and is on budget.

    5. Finalized a major software revision for the Health Department on their primary customerapplication, Raintree.

    6. Redesigned the video surveillance system located at the Courthouse to provide improvedsecurity monitoring and recording capabilities.

    7. Completed Phase I of the Core Network Switch replacement. Phase II and III willcomplete the replacement of a 10+ year old infrastructure.

    Initiated conversion to Windows Operating System 7 enhancing computing capability at thedesktop and replacing Windows XP an unsupported product.

    JUVENILE DEPARTMENT

    1. The Juvenile Department strongly values the compensation of victims through the timelypayment of restitution earned and paid by youth. Through department work crews, youthcomplete lawn maintenance, engage in community recycling projects; grow plants, berries, and

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    vegetables for sale, split and deliver firewood, and prepare meals and act as baristas in theFresh Start Market and Coffeehouse. Victim restitution in the amount of $76,093 has beenearned and paid through the Juvenile Department work programs this year through November2012.

    2. The Fresh Start Market and Coffeehouse on the Juvenile Department campus continues toreach out to the community and has just launched its own

    website. If you want to see the products for sale, order wood,see the current specials for the day, or the deli menu you cango to Fresh-Start-Market.com.

    3. The Juvenile Department is active in meeting the countyrecycling goals and serves as a recycling collection site forStyrofoam. A Styrofoam densifier was purchased through anEnvironmental Services grant which allows for not only thecollection but processing of Styrofoam which is then sold tobe used for creation of new products. To date this year,63,360 square feet of Styrofoam was recycled and kept out of

    the landfill. We are on track to recycle over 21,078 gallons ofpaint, and more than 100,000 batteries.

    4. To date, the Juvenile Department has received 2978 referrals from law enforcement citing1556 youth for felony and misdemeanor crimes, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, andpossession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

    5. The Department partners with local cities to manage a portion of the first time referred youth,through local peer courts. First time referred youth include those referred for minor offensesand some possession of alcohol or marijuana. Currently there are five peer courts in operation(Keizer, Salem, Jefferson, Silverton, and Santiam). Almost 300 youth were diverted from the

    juvenile department and addressed through accountability, support, and connectivity to theirown communities.

    6. The Department continues its work to incorporate evidence based practices into its supervisionof juveniles. This past year all department probation officers and their supervisors havecompleted all of the essential training of Effective Practices in Community Supervision(EPICS) and are working hard to incorporate the skills with youth served by the JuvenileDepartment. EPICS is a skill development model that allows juveniles to identify areas whereincreased skill development and overall awareness can assist them with everyday challengesthey face at home, school or in the community.

    7. A partnership was developed with Marion County Juvenile Department, State of OregonChild Welfare, Marion County District Attorney, State Courts, and local defense bar toconsider the circumstances relevant to outcomes for youth that crossover into the juvenilejustice system from the child welfare system. Considering Oregons data for any caseinvolving child maltreatment (abuse and neglect), the odds of that youth being referred to thejuvenile court system at some time before they become an adult is 1:5. For youth referred tothe juvenile justice system approximately 15% will have had a finding of child maltreatmentbefore they come to the juvenile justice system. Our Marion County partnership hasdeveloped policy and protocol by which we serve crossover youth that recognizes the impacts

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    of abuse and neglect, and coordinates planning and service delivery to reduce the penetrationinto the juvenile justice system.

    LEGAL COUNSEL

    1. Litigated twenty-one (21) tax cases with nine cases pending.

    2. Organizers and promoters of an unpermitted rave gathering were sued by the county resultingin nearly $12,000 in fines and prohibitions on future unpermitted events; obtained civilforfeiture judgments for $8,214 in currency and other personal property; obtained courtassistance on a public health communicable disease measure.

    3. Presented trainings at the Health Department, the Sheriffs Office, the Oregon SheriffsAssociation, and the Oregon County Counsels Association; reviewed and edited Americanswith Disabilities (ADA) training for Human Resources; and, assisted with a power pointpresentation on Health Care Transformation.

    4. Assisted and advised the board, administration and departments on several complex contracts,

    such as the Courthouse Square remediation project, solid waste disposal, coordinated careorganizations, the Oregon Gardens, and on revisions to many ordinances, policies and otherdocuments including but not limited to the Ambulance Service Area Plan and franchiserenewals, committee by-laws, transfer of Santana Park to a non-profit neighborhoodassociation, rural zone code, nuisance abatement ordinance, and protected leave policy.

    5. Participated in cooperative internal and external initiatives like consolidation of regional 911call centers, law libraries, departmental certifications and accreditation, and new statelegislation.

    PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT (PW)

    1. Environmental Services

    a. Achieved a 60.8% recovery rate for 2011 as reported by the Oregon Department ofEnvironmental Quality (DEQ), the first time the county has exceeded a rate of 60%.

    b. Continued the full-scale removal of metals for recycling from the ash at the North MarionDisposal Facility near Woodburn. Received final approval from DEQ for the use of screenedash for the beneficial use as alternate daily cover at the Coffin Butte Landfill. This will allowMarion County to not need to develop any more ash landfill cells in the future, and to reducethe size of the one that already exists.

    c. Transferred ownership of Santana Park in the southeast Salem area to the local non-

    profit Santana Village Park Association in July. This was celebrated by a large dedicationevent on Neighborhood Night Out.

    d. Received grant funding for the second and third phases of campground construction at BearCreek Park, located along the Little North Fork of the Santiam River. A water well wasinstalled,and power extended into the park, and the campsites were cleared in preparation forfurther development.

    e. The Board of Commissioners adopted a post-construction runoff ordinance in February, whichwill help to maintain the water quality near construction sites.

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    2. Engineering & Operations

    a. 2012 Resurfacing program

    Asphalt overlay contracts: 11 miles $1,682,000

    Chip seals by PW crews: 26 miles $1,050,000

    Slurry seal contracts: 4.9 miles $ 137,000Totals 41.9 miles $2,869,000

    Other capital improvement projects:Completed miscellaneous drainage repairs resulting from Turner / Salem and other winterstorms.

    Performed various routine maintenance and stormresponse on countys 1,119-mile road system.Maintenance activities include: street sweeping, culvert and catch basin repair and

    cleaning de-icing application and snow and ice removal dead animal and litter pickup 30,000+ signs 2,000 lane miles of pavement striping and markings 145 bridges 1,600 lane miles of gravel road and shoulder

    maintenance cleaning 36 miles of ditches 2,600 lane miles of mowing and brush cutting, and various pavement preservation treatments.

    3. Ferries

    a. Hauled Wheatland Ferry out for 5-year hull inspection, repairs, and painting.b. Extensive dredging at both ferry sites to remove gravel deposited by January floods.

    4. Building & Planning

    a. Issued 5,700 building permits for total project value $77m total (2011: 6,000 permits for$116m total project value).

    b. Processed 127 planning cases (2011: 141 cases)

    5. Emergency Management

    a. Turner flood response, damage assessment, and reporting to and cost recovery from,Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and Federal HighwayAdministration (FHWA).

    b. Worked to add depth to Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) staffing by naming

    people to vacant positions and bringing basic training up to date. Other departments helpwith ECC staffing is always appreciated.

    c. Expanded Public Outreach program for preparedness, meeting and training citizensgroups; Like us on Facebook: Marion County Emergency Management

    6. First Public Works Fair

    Several hundred people attended to look at some of our equipment and talk with the peoplewho do our various jobs. We rated it a big success and may do it again in 2013.

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    7. Other

    a. Four employees received American Public Works Association Everyday Heroes Award,nominated by Tillamook County for their pavement striping work.

    b. PW recognized several employees, Life Flight, and St. Paul Fire & Rescue for theirresponse to an employees near-fatal heart attack (hes doing fine now).

    MARION COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE (MCSO)

    1. Enforcement Division

    a. Patch Contest-Sublimity

    Through our partnership with the City of Sublimity and in keeping with our core values, theSheriffs Office felt it was important to give the citizens a real sense of ownership.

    In the fall of 2011 we partnered with school children between the first and eighth grades todesign the patch you see here to be worn on both the deputies uniforms assigned to Sublimity,as well as donned on our patrol vehicles. The children were given parameters to work withinwhile creating their designs and asked to submit what they felt best represented theirexperience living in and growing up around the Sublimity

    community. We chose five finalists and implemented elements fromeach into the final design you see to the left of this page.

    Our seven point star is the sun rising behind the foothills to the CascadeMountains. The blue water reflects both Beaver Creek and the SantiamRiver and the pine trees show the vast forest areas the surround Sublimity.

    b. Patch Contest Jefferson

    Together with the City of Jefferson, the Marion County Sheriff's Office invited all studentsfrom the 6th to the 12th grade to participate in a competition to design a new uniform shoulderpatch to be worn by our deputies patrolling the City of Jefferson.

    Our office has provided contracted police services to the city since about 1995. Sheriff JasonMyers was actually one of the first deputies assigned to work the City of Jefferson contract.Currently, two deputies, Aaron West and Cliff Self, collectively spend about 80 hours a weekpatrolling the city.

    The strategy behind the branding program is to strengthen the already-positive relationship weshare with the residents of the city. Wearing the shoulder patches designed by Jeffersonstudents and marking the patrol vehicles further provides them some autonomy and improvesthe partnership with our office. The patch contest ended November 20th, when the winningdesign was selected by representatives from the city and the Sheriff's Office.

    c. City of AuroraThis summer the Enforcement Division wasafforded an opportunity to submit a bid forcontract police services to the City of Aurora.By late November the Sheriffs Office and theCity of Aurora agreed on a proposal that willprovide one full time deputy to the city. Thecity in collaboration with Sgt. Cornforth hasconducted their interviews and will select the

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    full time deputy by the end of the year. In keeping with the Sublimity and Jefferson contracts,the patrol car assigned to Aurora will be marked to reflect the community.

    2. Parole and Probation Division

    Overall, 2012 saw a continuing trend of declining recidivism from the previous year in both ourpost-prison (24.2 to 22.0%) and probation (21.2 to 19.9) populations. This reduction in criminalactivity directly translates into a safer community, substantial savings within the criminal justice

    system, and fewer victims.a. In conjunction with the University of Cincinnati and Multnomah County Department of

    Community Justice, the Marion County Sheriff's Office now has 3 sworn staff in the process ofbecoming certified trainers of the Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS)curriculum. This 5 month training program offered by the University of Cincinnati will allowMarion County to provide training in the EPICS model both locally and throughout the State ofOregon for adult community corrections staff. As a result, we have provided EPICS training toUmatilla and Klamath Counties, as well as some additional in-house personnel. This trainingand ongoing effort will allow us to apply the most effective supervision model available byaddressing key "risk" factors within our offender population to reduce the likelihood of futurecriminal behavior as well as maintain the highest level of accountability and community safety.

    b. In January 2012, our division developed a new partnership with the Mid Valley LiteracyCenter and Executive Director Vivian Ang. As a result, we trained four of our division staff toteach English skills and/or help adult clients prepare for taking their General EducationalDevelopment (GED) tests. The classes started in February of 2012 with a total of 9 clients. Thetarget population started with clients assigned to Day Reporting and individuals working withour Employment Services Unit. Since February, the target population has expanded to includeindividual Probation Officer Referrals and clients from the Work Center. Since March, theteam has served 52 clients and of those served, 24 individuals have been assessed as "ready totest". Clients are assessed and tested with the help of community support money raised duringthe Marion County Reentry Initiative (MCRI) annual breakfasts.

    c. In July 2012, we were notified by the Bureau of Justice Assistance that the Marion County

    Reentry Initiative received renewed Second Chance Act funding. This grant award was due toour performance from the initial 2009 grant award. Marion County was one of only eightagencies in the nation selected for funding, and we are currently part of a national researchstudy. These monies help fund several MCRI services including the Student Opportunity forAchieving Results (SOAR) transitional reentry program, Quest for Change transitionalhousing, and the DeMuniz Resource Center. Overall, MCRI has served over 1,500 peoplesince inception.

    d. Throughout the 2012 year we have continued operation of SOAR transitional reentry program.This is an intensive and collaborative 12 week cognitive based treatment and employmentprogram designed for drug addicted offenders returning to the community from incarcerationwith high criminogenic needs. This program is delivered at the Chemeketa Community

    College Campus and offers a variety of services including enhanced supervision, cognitiveprogramming, parenting classes, mentoring, housing, employment services, and addictiontreatment. The latest evaluation utilizing the Correctional Program Checklist (CPC) ratedSOAR as "Very Satisfactory". To date, 64% of all referrals graduate. Of that, only 11% ofSOAR graduates have committed a new felony crime. Additionally, 57.5% are enrolled inschool and/or maintaining full-time employment.

    e. Throughout the 2012 year, our Transitional Services Unit (TSU) continued to have the highestamount of DOC reach-in contacts than any other community corrections agency in the state.This effort, which consists of assessment of risk, pre-release planning, and resource referral,

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    has contributed to a "no-show" rate (people absconding immediately upon release from prison)to less than 3%. Historically, this number had been as high as 30%.

    f. In July 2012, the Parole & Probation Division of the Sheriffs office entered into acollaborative agreement with several criminal justice partners after being awarded a grant fromthe Criminal Justice Commission. The Senate Bill 416 (SB416) grant award is shared betweenthe Marion County Sheriff's Office-Parole and Probation Division, the District Attorney'soffice, and Bridgeway Recovery Services. The project goal is to develop and implement

    evidence-based strategies to improve the supervision of probationers and reduce recidivism.Five objectives frame the project including: 1) Develop an evidence-based sentencing programutilizing risk and needs assessments; 2) Develop partnerships with the District Attorney'sOffice and the Courts; 3) Provide evidence-based cognitive, motivation, substance abusetreatment and mentoring services; 4) Provide appropriate level of case management thatensures coordinated delivery of client services; and 5) Collect and analyze project data andrelated outcome measures. Marion County's SB416 project will free up prison beds for high-risk offenders who present the greatest threat to the community and allow for communitysupervision to safely manage and hold offenders accountable in the community by providingservices that will reduce the likelihood of future criminal behavior.

    3. Operations Divisiona. Community Relations

    The MCSO Volunteer program has completed its fifth year of operation and as of this date wehave a total of 33 volunteers. Total hours for the year will be over 2400 and under OregonVolunteers value formula this equals over $43,000 in working dollars.

    b. Code Enforcement Transition

    Starting in the spring of 2012, Commander Kevin Schultz and Lieutenant Tad Larson starteda complex process of transitioning Marion Countys Code Enforcement Services to include 3staff members from Public Works to the Sheriffs Office. This transition process wascompleted by July 1st 2013. The Sheriffs Office has had this program now for 6 months andwe are optimistic about the current and future success. Our office as well as the community

    will benefit from the re-organization.c. Summer 2012 Jefferson Rave Incident:

    In July 2012, a music gathering / rave event took place just outside the City of Jefferson.Specific activities related to the event put the safety of attendees and community members atrisk. Other livability issues regarding traffic, noise, and potential criminal activities werereported to the Sheriffs Office. Due to size of the event, responding and addressing allconcerns over the weekend of the event was a challenge. The Sheriffs Office collaboratedwith city officials, residents, and County Legal Counsel to address the community concerns ina manner which held the organizers and vendors responsible for code violations, potentialcrimes, and nuisance issues.

    d. FBI LEDS Audit

    This past year the FBI completed a Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) audit. We were infull compliance. Considering the total calls for service, the amount of warrants we enter andclear each year, that was a huge success and complement to our records staff.

    4. Institutions Divisiona. Worked with the Courts and District Attorney's office to implement the "no contact orders"

    while in custody for domestic and sexual chargesb. Added five additional jail beds to accommodate the SB416 inmatesc. Increased the supervision and staffing at the work center due to increase in populationd. After the City of Salem donated the equipment and water we were able to grow a garden on

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    the 12 acres between the work center and dog control and donated over 46,000 pounds offood to the Marion/Polk County Food Share program

    e. The Work Center work crews and crew leaders completed over 100,000 hours of work in thecommunity

    TREASURERS OFFICE

    1. In 2012 the Treasurer's Office issued an RFP for Treasury Management services and Lockboxservices. Four banks were interviewed for the Treasury Management services and a new bankwas selected. Significant work was done in advance of the implementation to review MarionCounty's current business process. New and existing technologies were reviewed, as wellas best practice so as to implement a banking solution that is the most cost effective andefficient service available for Marion County. Implementation of the new relationship hasbegun, with anticipated completion in March of 2013.

    Interviews for the Lockbox services have been scheduled and two banks will beinterviewed in January of 2013.

    2. The Treasurer's Office also began work on an RFP for Merchant Services. This is a servicethat has frequent regulatory and technological changes. Much research has been done todevelop an RFP that will assist Marion County in identifying a merchant processor that willpartner with Marion County and provide not only cost effective processing, but assistance inthe area of compliance. The RFP will be ready for release early in 2013.

    The Treasurer's Office worked with Finance and I.T. on the Oracle Release 12 upgrade,scheduled for completion in May of 2013, and with the Tax and Assessor's office in theconversion to a new Assessment and Taxation software scheduled for completion inFebruary of 2014.

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