When President George W. Bush made a campaign visit to Jackson County two weeks ago, local agencies provided much of the protection and footed all of the more than $200,000 bill.

"It was very expensive," said Randy Schoen, deputy chief of operations for the Medford Police Department.

The city of Medford — police, fire and public works departments — calculates the cost at $68,740 for its share of the presidential visit Oct. 14-15.

"At one point, the city of Medford had over 100 people assigned to this," Schoen said.

Almost 300 law enforcement, fire and other personnel pitched in to make sure the president had a safe visit to Jackson County.

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In addition, law enforcement officers were called in from neighboring Siskiyou County.

The cost for the president’s visit far outpaces the $19,000 spent by local agencies for Sen. John Kerry’s August campaign stop, or the $30,000 for Vice President Dick Cheney in July.

Schoen, who said the presidential stay was a strain on police manpower, said city officials discussed sending the Bush campaign a bill for their troubles.

"We talked about it," he said. "But we decided they probably wouldn’t pay for it."

In the end, Schoen said city officials decided the visit was in the best interest of the community.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for this county to participate in the democratic process," he said.

Schoen said the police department racked up 506 hours of overtime; with personnel, vehicles and managers’ time, the total cost added up to $40,480.

Medford fire officials calculated their costs at $11,260, and public works came to $17,000.

Schoen, like many agencies contacted, said the cost will be absorbed by the police department’s budget, which sets aside enough to account for overtime hours.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Jeff Proulx said 80 officers from throughout the state were called in, including troopers from Coos Bay, Gold Beach, Eugene/Springfield, Roseburg, Grants Pass and Klamath Falls.

A motorcycle unit that was part of the president’s motorcade also came down from the Portland/Salem area, said Proulx.

"We don’t have enough resources in the county to do it all," he said.

He estimated the cost to the OSP to be $50,000.

Proulx said it isn’t the OSP’s policy to send a bill to anyone for these sorts of high-level campaign visits.

"It’s nice to have them here, but give us a few years before they come back," he said.

Sheriff Mike Winters estimated his department’s cost to protect the president at $50,000 to $60,000, but said it was probably the higher number once the meals, helicopters and other vehicles are calculated. He said 40 deputies were assigned to provide security for the president.

Winters said he will likely dip into contingency funds, saying there’s really no way to budget for such visits.

"There is no way to plan for these events," he said. "They only tell you a week in advance."

However, considering the millions of dollars in federal money that flows into local law enforcement, Winters said a campaign visit is just part of the cost of doing business.

"It would be nice if the campaigns would pay for them, but it’s not going to happen," he said.

Even the Oregon Department of Transportation played a significant role in the presidential visit, blocking roadways and placing signs.

ODOT officials estimate their cost was $15,123, which includes $11,386.40 for maintenance crews and equipment, $3,400 for manager hours and $336.60 for printing "No Parking" signs.

Jacksonville Police Chief David Towe estimated it cost $2,000 for the entire week, requiring most of his four officers’ time.

"It took up my entire week," he said. "I didn’t do anything else."

Jacksonville Fire Chief Tracy Shaw estimates it cost $1,770 for the visit. "I was here 24 hours," he said.

The Jacksonville Public Works Department estimates it cost their department another $500-$1,000.

Brenda Messmer, division chief at Fire District 3, estimated it cost $3,300 for the Bush visit, requiring 15 personnel.

Comparing the president and vice presidential visits, she said, "There was a whole different set of rules. Everything was just more robust."

Messmer said 125 people required some medical attention at the bush rally at the Expo in Central Point, where temperatures nudged 90 degrees. "It was mostly heat-related problems," she said.

Mercy Flights General Manager Ken Parsons said he had to call in six additional personnel to cover the president’s visit, costing the nonprofit ambulance service $2,400.

While the president was in Jacksonville to eat dinner and spend the night, Parsons said, "We had an extra ambulance on at night that was parked with him."

The Ashland Police Department sent eight officers and its police chief, costing about $3,000.

The Phoenix Police Department assigned five officers, costing $500.

Medford airport director Bern Case estimated the Bush visit cost between $5,000 and $6,000, but he figures the airport made much of that back in car rentals and increased use of the parking areas.

"What amazed me is that I may break even on it," he said.

Case said the hardship to local agencies is offset by a local boost from increased hotel use, rental cars and meals.

Expo Director Chris Borovansky said the Bush campaign spent $5,000 to rent the space for the rally, plus another $3,000 for staff and supplies.

Edwards’ price tag nearly $12,000

Almost all the local security was provided by the Medford Police Department.

Randy Schoen, deputy chief of operations for Medford police, said it cost $9,280 to cover Edwards, who is Sen. John Kerry’s running mate. He said 29 officers were assigned for the visit.

The Medford Fire Department also spent about $662.29 for additional support.

Medford airport director Bern Case estimates the Edward’s visit cost about $2,000.

Oregon State Police Sgt. Jeff Proulx said his officers were only needed for a brief period to provide two slowdowns on the freeway for Edwards’ motorcade. "It was nothing much," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail dmann@mailtribune.com