Roundup: Liberty House and Sable House report service changes; commission approves minutes and hears public-safety staffing updates

Liberty House reported it canceled a costly spring auction and moved to a model of community-based meetings and local outreach. "We're doing a series of community based meetings," the representative said, and added that insurance billings are down and services to Polk County are up about 6 percent year over year.

Sable House said it is renovating its shelter to better accommodate pets so that families will accept placements. The organization said it served 10 families through emergency shelter last quarter, has 15 families in its housing-assistance program and helped five families avoid eviction with newly available funding.

During routine business, commissioners approved the minutes from February 2026 by voice vote. The chair called for objections and members responded "Aye"; no opposition was recorded during the meeting's call for objections.

Oregon State Police told the commission it is short-staffed but expects recruits from Salem and McMinnville to come online in the next months and that it is prioritizing at least one trooper on day and swing shifts in Polk County.

Commissioners also heard administrative updates about pending retirements, internal reassignments and a planned memorandum of understanding with a contractor to clean Wall Street Park. Staff said a press release and mass communication will be issued about security changes in courts and other contact changes.