Feb 21, 2023 | Transportation
One of the most innovative and successful programs offered through the state department of transportation in partnership with counties and cities is the now 40-year-old Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Fund Exchange Program, which efficiently leverages infrastructure funding in order to preserve and maintain Oregon’s transportation infrastructure system in the most cost-effective manner for Oregon taxpayers.
This program allows local agencies to exchange federal dollars for state dollars. Federal funds come with burdensome federal requirements, which local governments often cannot afford, slowing, or ultimately stopping critical infrastructure projects.
“Delays often equate to increased cost as resources, labor, and general compliance measure costs have increased significantly,” said Association of Oregon Counties County Road Program Director, Brian Worley.
Now, under the heavy impacts of inflation, depleting revenue sources, and high need to repair, replace, and add new infrastructure, the fund exchange program, a critical resource for counties, is under threat. Like the other 10 states with fund exchange programs, and Oregon’s county governments, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has felt the diminishing budgetary impacts of the pandemic and widespread economic and compliance concerns for all transportation infrastructure stakeholders.
ODOT is no stranger to constricting budgets with spending limitations in its Operations and Maintenance (OM) budget and long-term deficits in the State Highway Fund, ODOT has proposed reducing and eliminating the fund exchange program. Under current statute, the OM budget is the budget in which local governments exchange their federal funds. Under the exchange, ODOT receives 10 cents for every dollar to recoup administrative costs. This share has increased in recent years due to ongoing budgetary shortfalls.
To remedy this issue, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) proposed HB 2101 as one of its priority bills in the 2023 Legislative Session. HB 2101 allows ODOT the flexibility to exchange State Highway Fund dollars with counties and cities – opening up a secondary option to fund the program and alleviate the department’s concerns regarding their OM budget to cost-effectively manage federal funding. AOC and 16 of its member counties submitted testimony during the January 31 public hearing in the Joint Committee on Transportation of the Oregon State Legislature.
In their joint testimony, AOC President and Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot and Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors President, Tom Fellows said, “Everyone wins with this arrangement; the state alleviates the burden of administering local federal-aid projects and counties alleviate the burden of federal requirements. Due to a favorable exchange rate, the STBG Fund Exchange Program is also a revenue generator for ODOT when functioning with full state resources.”
On average, the funding from this program is the third largest source for county governments – and for some counties, equates to over 10 percent of their annual operating budget. This means any hit to this program could collapse or delay crucial infrastructure projects across the state, a discussion that has been ongoing between counties and the department since 2020.
During the public hearing, members of the committee, and the department took well to the concept and indicated the bill is likely to advance during the session.
A follow up informational meeting was held, Tuesday, February 14, before the Joint Committee on Transportation to discuss the partnership between the state, counties, and cities. AOC presented before the committee.
Staff at AOC, as well as member counties are continuing to work with stakeholders to pass this long-term, sustainable funding solution for the fund exchange program.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 21, 2023 | Transportation
SB 635, a bill that allows counties to recoup costs related to right of way permitting, is one of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) top priorities for the 2023 Legislative Session.
Pre-session filed by Senator Lew Frederick (D-Portland), the bill is a reintroduction of HB 3049 from the 2021 Legislative Session, and a critical resource for counties as they engage in costly permitting processes without the ability to recoup costs. Cities can currently recoup similar costs in statute. The bill is aimed to provide equitable options across jurisdictions and help counties continue to deliver access to services.
AOC staff has worked with stakeholders over the past few years to identify solutions for this funding issue. A workgroup has been formed to allow additional dialogue between utility providers, legislators, and counties before the bill advances.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 14, 2023 | AOC News
The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced the appointment of AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D. to the newly created NACo Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, during its annual legislative conference held in Washington D.C.
The 14-member commission, created to drive change in the nation’s mental health system and policies, is composed of county leaders with mental health-centered expertise.
Nikkel, who has served as AOC’s Executive Director since 2020, brings to the commission many years experience as a therapist and program manager in rural county mental health and crisis work; 11 years as the Association of Oregon County Mental Health Program Director, eight years as a county commissioner, and nine years as the President and CEO of the international Foundation for Excellence in Mental Care (FEMHC) which she helped create. Dr. Nikkel holds a master’s degree in counseling and a Ph.D. in Social Public Policy and Leadership.
“I’m honored to have been appointed to this commission,” commented Dr. Nikkel. “The work of this body is critical in meeting the urgent needs of Americans in the mental health crisis we are currently facing.”
The commission’s charter is:
- Stimulate national sense of urgency, through an intergovernmental partnership framework, for addressing our nation’s crisis with mental health and wellbeing of residents, especially our most vulnerable.
- Elevate the national awareness of the roles, innovations, and pain-points facing county governments in addressing this escalating crisis.
- Achieve NACo’s public policy agenda, such as the full implementation of Mental Health Parity standards, modernize the unequal coverage of mental health care through the “institutions for mental disease” (IMD) prohibition, repeal the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy for people held in jail pre-trial, and build the mental health workforce and continuum of care for the future.
- Align a cohesive national and intergovernmental strategy to improve and enhance the mental health and wellbeing of all Americans, with a special focus on our most vulnerable populations.
Issues that the committee will tackle are broad ranging, including the need for mental health professionals and increased need for service. Currently, one-third of the U.S. population lives in a county designated as a mental health professional shortage area.
“In 2021, nearly one in four U.S. adults and one in five adolescents experienced a mental illness,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “This commission understands the urgency of the moment. It’s made up of people who, in their own communities, are seeing the effects of the mental health crisis, and have an idea of where we need to start in order to address it.”
“The gap in service and continued increase in demand exacerbated by the pandemic has elevated the need for us to roll up our sleeves with coalition partners across a continuum of care, and drive real change through investments and policy,” said Nikkel. NACo is working with the White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Council of State Chief Justices, and many more coalition partners on this initiative.
Counties are well-positioned to lead action on the mental health crisis because counties play an integral role in local health, justice and human services systems. Direct mental health service delivery responsibilities are falling increasingly to America’s counties, which serve as the nation’s safety net for residents in need, act as first responders, operate crisis lines, and manage public hospitals and detention centers.
Between April 2023 and February of 2024 the commission will meet and convene sub-groups to develop a final report and recommendations at the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference.
For more information about NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, click here.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 10, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is a 23-member staff of professional employees with broad duties and skill-sets. Each team member helps make AOC the success it is today. Here is an opportunity to meet a member of your AOC team.
Meet AOC Legislative Affairs Manager, Branden Pursinger
Branden Pursinger joined the AOC team in August of 2022 as legislative affairs manager. In his role, Branden advocates for Oregon counties’ priorities at the State Legislature and with state agencies, covering the natural resources policy portfolio. That work includes staffing the AOC Federal Lands Subcommittee and the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties.
Prior to joining AOC, Branden served as the Senate Republican Caucus administrator addressing key policies and priorities during several legislative sessions. He also worked with Senator Bill Hansell for many years managing policy, constituent relations, bringing to AOC a deep understanding of the political process.
Branden holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science (Constitutional law focus) from Lewis & Clark College.
AOC Legislative Affairs Department
Branden’s role is housed in the AOC Legislative Affairs Department. The Legislative Affairs Department is a five-member team that advocates for counties at the State Capitol, within state agencies, and with federal partners to pursue a policy agenda set by AOC members.
Why Branden Loves AOC
“AOC brings the local leaders together to discuss and find solutions to the problems facing every corner of our state. AOC provides the collaboration and cooperation to find solutions to the shared problems all counties are facing. Also, the team at AOC is hardworking and have been unbelievably helpful as I have joined the AOC family. I am very appreciative of everyone I have met and have worked with thus far.”
What Interests Branden in His Work
“I have been working in politics for the past 10 years and have loved every minute of it. Growing up on the edge of a city that boarded a wilderness area, I saw the impacts the natural resources had and continue to have on the people. I saw how the decisions in Salem impacted the farmers, the river, and the forest. I am very excited to work on these issues and provide a voice in this area. Every county has trees, animals, and water issues. Helping to solve these issues is something I am very much looking forward to.”
What Branden Wants to See in the Future for AOC
“Counties are not stakeholders, we are partners. We represent the same constituents as the legislators. I want to see AOC be the partner it should be on all aspects of government. Local governments should be the first phone call for individuals in Salem when there are conversations happening, and I would love to see AOC and counties move into that type of a relationship with the state.”
Outside of AOC
Outside of AOC, Branden enjoys fly fishing the many rivers in Oregon, spending time with his family, teaching his six-year-old daughter about the joys of nature and astronomy, listening to music, and Saturday morning cartoon time with his daughter.
Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate
Feb 6, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Robert Yde as IT Trainer and Communications Specialist for the County Road Program.
Yde comes to AOC having most recently served as a middle school educator where he taught social studies. Prior to this, Yde worked in the public relations field as a writer, editor, and content creator. “Robert will be a great addition to the team and I have no doubt that he will advance understanding and education initiatives surrounding the County Road Program and the Integrated Road Information System,” said Gina Nikkel, AOC executive director.
Yde’s first day is February 6, 2023.
