The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) released its 2019 Annual Report Friday, highlighting its successes over the year. The report reflects on member engagement, financial health, key programs, and various aspects of the organization contributing to progress. 

While many successes are named, 2019 AOC President and Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader commented on the strength of the membership’s participation, “our members were more active this year than any other year in recent history, regularly attending legislative steering committee meetings to help shape our policy positions on issues that benefit all members.” Significant call outs for member engagement are listed throughout the report. Topline stats include:

  • Membership of 100 percent of counties in the state.
  • 84 member meetings.
  • Over 500 attendees at the AOC Annual Conference with 100 percent of Oregon counties represented.
  • 209 total graduates in AOC’s County College.
  • 60 legislator-county official meetings during the 2019 Legislative Session.
  • Over 23,000 user impressions through Facebook.

AOC’s provides a number of services to members including advocacy and education and serves to unite and advance county issues, foster trust in county government, and develop programs and services that support the success of counties into the future. Over the last 11 years, AOC has seen 209 county officials graduate from its education program “County College,” where in a one-year course, officials join together for informational sessions that cover anything from legal provisions of county government, to leadership and management skills, to the many services delivered by counties. Lake County Commissioner Mark Albertson said of the program, “County College was an invaluable experience. As a new commissioner, it provided not only an opportunity to take a deep dive into important issues, it also built life-long relationships, bridging our differences and uniting us as one Oregon.”

An additional success for the organization includes wins on legislative priorities during the 2019 Legislative Session provided in detail in a supplemental “Legislative Wins” document, the first ever produced by AOC.

The organization also points to secure financial health, with AOC Treasurer and Columbia County Treasurer calling out, “our numbers are steady and we have taken a thoughtful approach to fiscal policy to ensure a positive future for AOC.” The organization was able to save 20 overall on the 2019 budget and put three months of expenses into a reserve account, reversing the trend from previous fiscal years.

To learn more about AOC’s activities in 2019 and review commentary from AOC members, click here.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate.