Assessor Department

• Locate & identify all taxable property;
• Inventory all property including quality, quantity, & important characteristics;
• Estimate the market value of each taxable property;
• Defend the determination through the appeals process;
• Administer all Special Assessment Statutes that pertain to certain classes of property;
• Final preparation of the assessment roll;
• Calculate the tax rate;
• Prepare & maintain all county maps including subdivision, partitioning and code identification.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS:

The Commissioners serve as the Executive Branch and perform legislative and quasi-judicial functions of the County. Commissioners are responsible for the planning, formation and implementation of the annual budget. In addition, Commissioners serve on other federal, state and local mandated governmental panels, boards and commissions with fiscal duties and authority over publc monies. Commissioners also serve the ceremonial functions of the County in representations to the public for the public good and betterment of Jospehine County.

Staff attends and prepares minutes for public meetings. Prepares Commissioners' Journal and Proceedings. Updates and distributes the County Charter. Schedules appointments for the Board. Supervises the mail/copy room. Serves as a liason between the Board, other Elected Officials, Department Heads and citizens in resolving county issues.

Weekly Business Session Agendas are typically available online on the Friday before the scheduled meeting.
Meet your Josephine County Commissioners

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BUILDING & SAFETY:

Issues Building Permits, performs inspections of structures during construction and ensures all appropriate building and safety codes are followed.
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COUNTY CLERK:

The Department administers all elections, voter registration and political filings. Also handles all recording, filing and retrieval of documents relating to real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, maps, plats, easements and contracts. Handles all recording, filing and retrieval of documents relating to Commissioner's Journal, affidavits, powers of attorney, military discharges, marriages and death certificates. The County Clerk may perform marriage ceremonies.
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COMMISSION ON CHILDREN & FAMILIES:

The Commission is mandated by State Law with a mandated volunteer board that plans for services for children and families and allocates State and Federal funds for needed programs.
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COMMUNITY SERVICES:

COMMUNITY SERVICES: Provides services and assistance to senior citizens, adult disabled, and eligible low income persons. Provides the following programs:

• Information & Referral
• Nutrition program
• Energy Assistance
• Food & Shelter Program
• Transportation Services
• Outreach
• Special Programs
• Guardian program
• Community Dispute Resolution Program

CORRECTIONS:

Administers community based sanctions for convicted criminal offenders in Josephine County consistent with the maintenance of balance within the Criminal Justice System. Provides the following services:

• Presentence investigation and reports
• Criminal records checks for sentencing purposes
• Supervision of offenders
• Monitors all cases for compliance with court orders
• Works on crime prevention
• Works on DUII programs
• Administers the Community Service/work alternatives program
• Administers the electronic home detention program

DISTRICT ATTORNEY:

Operates five programs:

1. PROSECUTION SERVICES PROGRAM: evaluate and prosecute all criminal and quasi-criminal matters including crimes and ordinance violations;
2. CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM: Establish paternity, and enforce and collect child support obligations;
3. VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Designed to assist victims of a crime, witnesses to criminal activity and determine restitution to victims of a crime;
4. MEDICAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM: Investigate deaths in the County;
5. CONSUMER AFFAIRS PROGRAM: Assists consumers in resolving civil complaints. Uses RSVP volunteers.

EXTENSION OFFICE:

Offers problem-solving education to help make effective use of natural resources and skill-building to enhance human resources. Maintains programs in the following areas: agriculture including gardening, crops, and livestock; home economics; 4-H and youth programs; energy programs; and community resource development.
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FAIRGROUNDS:

The Fair Board has exclusive management of the grounds and is entrusted and charged with the entire business management, financial and other affairs.
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FINANCE:

Provides all financial, accounting and budgetary support including compilation of the budget, prepares annual financial reports, assists independent auditors, processes all claims for payment, and processes payroll for county employees.
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FORESTRY:

Manage the County's 30,000 acres of forest land for timber production, minerals, watershed enhancement and protection, wildlife, and recreation. Involves reforestation, wetland reclamation, mine site reclamation, timber harvest, and other related activities.
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HUMAN RESOURCES/PERSONNEL:

Coordinates the recruitment, selection, classification, compensation of County employees and employee relations. Ensures compliance with all state and federal employment laws. The Director is the Affirmative Action Officer for Josephine County. Responsible for Risk Management for County which includes safety, workers compensation, liability and managing the self-insurance program. Check out the Jobs Available listing and job descriptions online.
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INFORMATION SYSTEMS:

Mission & Goals Of The Josephine County Information Systems Department

• To assist in reducing the cost, and increasing the efficiency and responsiveness of County government through the appropriate and effective application of information systems and telecommunications technology.
• To assist the Board of County Commissioners in improving the educational, vocational, and health opportunities, and the standard of living, of the citizens of Josephine County through the appropriate and effective application of information systems and telecommunications technology.
• To provide quality service and maximum customer satisfaction, to both the Operating Departments and other agencies of the County government, and to the citizens of Josephine County as directed by the Board of County Commissioners.

JUVENILE:

Provides the following services for Juvenile Court:

• Investigation
• Evaluation
• Courtroom case presentation
• Supervision
• Counseling
• Custody resources for children who are before the court for crime and status offenses, and who are victims of abuse and/or neglect.

LEGAL COUNSEL:

Provides legal information, advice and representation to county departments on a wide variety of matters including land use, employment matters, ballot titles and many other issues.
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LIBRARY:

Provides library resources for a main branch library located in Grants Pass and branch libraries located in Wolf Creek, Williams, and the Illinois Valley. Staffs and maintains the law library.
Josephine County Library System Home Page
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PARKS & AIRPORTS:

Read a short description about each of the Josephine County parks. Find out about some terrific recreational opportunities.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT:

Learn more about the Planning Department. Also read recent Planning Commission Minutes and Agendas.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

Provides services and information on public health concerns and administers the following programs:

• Air Quality Monitoring
• Animal Control Services
• Communicable, Preventable Disease Program
• Dental Clinic
• Drinking Water Protection
• Emergency Services
• Food Services Inspections
• Hazardous Investigations
• Parent and Child Health Programs
• Perinatal Program
• Solid Waste Programs
• Vital Records
• Women, Infant & Children Nutritional Program

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:

Learn more about the Public Works Department.

SHERIFF:

Responsible for law enforcement in Josephine County. Have substations in the Illinois Valley, Murphy, and Merlin. Run the jail. Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in Josephine County.
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SURVEYOR:

Checks, records and files copies of all surveys done in Josephine County. Performs survey work to remonument original corners and proportional corners. 1995 Aerial Photos available at the Surveyor's Office for $5.00 each.
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TREASURER:

Two Divisions:

1. TREASURY DIVISION:
   • Collects, distributes and invests County funds and the funds of sixty plus Trust and Agency Funds
   • Makes the payments for all bonded indebtedness for the various taxing districts.
2. TAX DIVISION: Collects and distributes all taxes.