Who Picks Up the Slack When Counties Dissolve?

"Is it possible that one of Oregon's 36 counties could disappear? And if so, would anyone step in to provide basic services to its residents?"

"The answer to the first question, according to many in and out of government, is yes, and soon. At least two Oregon counties, Curry and Josephine, warn they may stop providing state-mandated programs as soon as a year from now."

"But no one is sure who would step in to take over services such as elections and law enforcement, which has county leaders concerned and the state scrambling to put together a system for saving counties in crisis."