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Political scientists might one day recall the first half of 2023 for many things. Likely high on that list will be the financially focused fighting and historical headaches highlighting the legislative sessions at many levels of government.

At the federal level, the Congressional battle over the nation’s debt limit stretched on until the prospect of default and the potential consequences finally forced commitments and compromise to avert catastrophe.

Closer to home, the ongoing state legislative session has been overshadowed by the annual walkout of Republicans in the Oregon Senate, which finally ended Thursday.

By comparison, the budget season for Rogue Valley governments has been largely problem-free.

With little drama or fanfare, Jackson County commissioners unanimously passed a $611 million budget — which included new positions in Health and Human Services focused on mental health care, thanks to new funding available from the state — along with new positions and services in animal control, public health and environmental health.

The new county budget also makes investments in capital projects and facility improvements, including future work at the airport, a possible jail replacement, and a multi-use pandemic and emergency response community center at The Expo, tentatively set to open in 2026.

As Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan relayed to a capacity crowd at a Medford Chamber of Commerce event this week, on behalf of the county’s third-party auditors: “There’s nothing but good news in the budget.”

Meanwhile, the city of Medford’s preliminary budget of $480 million represents a slight increase over the $458 million of the previous biennial budget, which is typical and not unexpected in any new governmental budget cycle. The Medford budget proposal brought forward by City Manager Brian Sjothun smartly focused on the increasing demands and opportunities facing a community with a growing population.

Medford’s current estimated population of 88,357 represents 6% growth over the past two years, which has required new residential and commercial developments, along with increased fees for sewers, police and other services.

In addition to addressing the impacts of inflation, Medford’s new budget plans for the needs of a growing community with thoughtful plans and long-term goals around quality of life, public safety and public works infrastructure.

In Ashland, the City Council was nearly unanimous in approving a biennial budget of $387 million earlier this month. Although Ashland’s budget process included frustrations and discussions around affordable housing, climate change resilience and wildfire response, the budget includes increases in the city’s police, fire and emergency medical technician ranks.

As Ashland Mayor Tonya Graham said, “I’m pleased by the direction this is going.”

We are too.

And we’re pleased that in a season of budget drama and uncertainty at other levels of government, the local budget season has been mostly quiet and business as usual.