The Hood River County Commission has settled on a rate of 78 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value for a five-year public safety levy that will be put before voters on the May ballot.  County Commissioners had been somewhat split on a rate between 78 and 83 cents during recent worksessions, trying to balance the desire to allow the Sheriff’s Department to be able to staff 24-hour coverage with concerns about asking for too high a rate from voters as the County desperately tries to dig out of a budget shortfall.  Commission Chair Mike Oates indicated a week ago he wanted the 83 cent rate, but decided to move to 78 cents, saying passage is more important than the exact number.  He added the final decision was unanimous.  Oates said the 78 cent rate would allow for two additional deputies to be added in the Sheriff’s Department over the life of the levy.  Commissioners will hold a worksession on Monday, February 3 at 1 p.m. in the County Administration Building to work on the final wording for the ballot measure, which will be the subject of a public hearing on February 18 during the Commissioners’ regular meeting at 6 p.m.