Dustin Calvo for Josephine County Treasurer

10/22/2026

10/20/2026

TREASURY TUESDAY #6

What Happens After an Investment Is Made?

The Tuesday before last, I talked about diversification: considering how each investment fits with the rest of the county’s funds and when that money will be needed.

The work doesn’t stop when an investment is purchased. The Treasurer must continue tracking what the county holds, when investments mature, how they are performing and whether enough money will be available to meet the county’s obligations.

That work also needs to be reported. Each month a report is sent to the Board of County Commissioners. This report details each investment, its current return, and other important details to ensure the BCC is well informed.

Accountability means being able to show the decisions made with public money, explain the results and make adjustments when circumstances change. A return may look good on paper, but it has to be considered alongside safety and the county’s need for cash.

Because you shouldn’t need to be an accountant to understand how your money is being managed.

— Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer

10/18/2026

A mailer arriving in Josephine County homes says “nobody elected Dustin Calvo” and claims that “nearly 60%” of voters chose someone else in May. Here is the context it leaves out.

I was appointed Treasurer after serving as Chief Deputy Treasurer. The May election had three candidates, and I received the most votes: 9,961, compared with 8,881 for Simon Hare. Neither of us won a majority, so voters will decide between us in November. By the mailer’s own logic, more than 62% voted for someone other than Hare.

The mailer also turns short pieces of my remarks about county accounts and a stopped payment into accusations. The Board and the Treasurer have different responsibilities. My job is to safeguard public money, account for it, and make sure payments receive proper scrutiny. I take that responsibility seriously, even when a decision is unpopular.

I am honored to be endorsed by Eve Arce, who served as Josephine County Treasurer from 2013 through 2025. She served alongside Simon Hare during his years as a county commissioner. She knows the Treasurer’s job and has seen his work in county government. Her decision to support me should speak volumes to those in our community.

I welcome questions about my work and my record. Voters deserve the full context, not a mailer built around clipped quotes and a selective reading of a three-candidate election.

I’m Dustin Calvo, and I’m asking for your vote for Josephine County Treasurer on November 3.

10/18/2026

I’m just finishing up at an event at the Dome School in Cave Junction and I need to take a moment to say a few things.

Today my opponent’s Mike on Mic interview showed up on my feed. In addition a smear mailer from “Concerned Taxpayers of Josephine County” is showing up in mailboxes.

Those things were definitely frustrating. But after seeing the support of the amazing citizens of this county I am feeling so blessed and encouraged.

To these amazing people, thank you for all your support and your willingness to show up and let your voices be heard that this county deserves competent, hardworking, and trustworthy public leaders.

To my opponent and “Concerned Taxpayers of Josephine County” hear this…your continued misinformation and attacks prove only one thing, I have the support of our wonderful citizens and it knows no party lines.

- Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer

10/17/2026

As you fill out your ballot, I hope you’ll think about the long-term financial health of Josephine County. The decisions made in the Treasurer’s Office affect how public funds are protected and how residents are served, today and for years to come.

Josephine County is my home. When I was appointed Treasurer during a time of transition, I took that responsibility seriously. I’ve worked to strengthen financial oversight while making everyday services easier to use. Residents can now reach a live person when paying property taxes by phone, choose a monthly payment option at no added cost, and have card payments posted the next day instead of three days later. I also advocated for improvements to the Treasury and Tax Office that make it safer for the public and staff and help protect public funds.

There is more work to do. I believe you deserve a Treasurer who is accountable, responsive, and focused on the county’s financial stability for the long haul.

I would be grateful for your vote to continue serving as Josephine County Treasurer.

-Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer

10/16/2026

Ballots are beginning to arrive, and I’m asking for your vote for Josephine County Treasurer.

I’m Dustin Calvo. Before becoming treasurer, I served as the county’s chief deputy treasurer. I know the work because I do it every day: safeguarding public funds, managing cash and investments, and making sure property tax collections are accurately distributed to the schools, cities, and other districts that depend on them.

My approach is straightforward. Protect the principal. Keep enough money available to meet the county’s obligations. Earn a responsible return within the rules. And give the public clear, regular reports so you can see how your money is being managed.

This office calls for steady judgment and attention to detail. I would be grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Josephine County.

When you fill out your ballot, please vote Dustin Calvo for County Treasurer. Thank you for your consideration and your support.

10/15/2026

“Calvo served as chief deputy treasurer before his appointment and now carries out both treasury and tax collection responsibilities. The Tribune requested the same questions from Calvo and his opponent, Simon Hare, with an October 9 deadline. Calvo’s responses address his qualifications, governmental accounting, investment decisions, property taxes, economic conditions and safeguards against fraud.”

The Grants Pass Tribune sits down with Dustin Calvo, Josephine County’s appointed treasurer and a candidate seeking election to continue in the office, to

10/07/2026

Last night’s forum in Merlin gave voters a chance to hear us answer questions about the actual work of the Josephine County Treasurer: protecting public money, keeping it available when it’s needed, investing it responsibly, and making sure tax dollars reach the right districts.

I’m grateful for those questions, because this is the work I do every day.

I explained how I stagger investments so funds become available as obligations come due. I compare investment opportunities with the state’s Local Government Investment Pool while putting protection of principal and liquidity first. I also explained the difference between collecting property taxes and accounting for and distributing that money. I currently serve as both treasurer and tax collector, and getting those details right matters to every taxing district we serve.

Transparency matters, too. Our quarterly reports are available on the county website, and I want to keep making this office’s work easier for residents to understand. The Board of Commissioners adopts the investment policy. My responsibility is to carry it out and safeguard the funds entrusted to this office.

My opponent has eight years of experience as a county commissioner. I respect public service, but serving as a commissioner and doing the daily work of the treasurer are different jobs. He suggested moving tax collection to the assessor’s office. Before anyone calls that a savings, voters deserve a detailed answer: What would it cost? What would it save? How would staffing and accountability work?

He also claimed that local banks now place holds on Josephine County checks because of a payment I stopped. When an audience member asked which banks, when their policies changed, and whether he had written confirmation, he did not provide it. No bank, employee, or vendor has brought a pattern of such holds to my attention. That is a serious claim, and the public deserves evidence before it is repeated as fact.

I have had to make decisions that created conflict. I will continue to put the protection of public funds ahead of my political comfort.

I want the Treasurer’s Office to be steady enough to seem boring: protect the principal, keep money available, earn responsible returns, distribute it accurately, and show people the numbers.

That is the job I am doing. It is the job I am asking you to let me continue.

— Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer

10/06/2026

I’m excited to share something new we’ve been working on in the Josephine County Treasurer’s Office.

Josephine County is the first county in Oregon to sign with Easy Smart Pay, giving property owners the option to make monthly property tax payments.

One of the things I’ve heard from taxpayers is how difficult it can be to budget for a large property tax payment all at once. I wanted to find a practical option that could make that process a little easier.

With Easy Smart Pay, property owners who choose to participate can spread their property tax obligation into scheduled monthly payments. Easy Smart Pay collects those payments throughout the year and then submits the property tax payment to the County before the applicable deadline.

Participation is completely voluntary. If you prefer the traditional property tax payment options, nothing changes.

There is also no cost to Josephine County to offer the program. There are no fees for payments made using an ACH bank account. For debit or credit card payments, a small 1.99% transaction fee applies.

This may seem like a small change, but I believe good government is often about finding practical ways to make things a little simpler and more manageable for the people we serve.

I’m proud that Josephine County is leading the way in Oregon by bringing this option to our community, and I look forward to continuing to find ways to improve the services provided by the Treasurer’s Office.

- Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer

10/06/2026

Merlin, the candidates forum is tonight!

I’ll be at the Merlin Community Center at 6 p.m. to answer your questions and share why I’m asking for your vote to continue serving as Josephine County Treasurer. Candidates for both county commissioner positions are also scheduled to participate.

If you live in Merlin or the North Valley, I hope you’ll come out, meet the candidates, and hear directly from us.

Merlin Community Center, 100 Acorn Street
Tonight, Tuesday, October 6, at 6 p.m.

See you there!

— Dustin Calvo
Josephine County Treasurer