Sep 25, 2025 | AOC News, Events
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) will hold its annual conference Nov. 18-20, 2025, bringing together elected officials, community partners, county staff, and state and federal partners to collaborate, learn, and grow. County officials and staff from across the state participate in the three-day event aimed at networking and education to improve delivery of county services and the efficiency of county government.
This year’s conference will center on critical issues affecting counties, focusing on policy and legislation related to county budgets, services, and governance. Concurrent educational sessions will cover timely topics such as road safety, public health modernization, county revenue, emergency management, and energy capacity.
A key focus of the conference will be the county’s role as the local mental health authority. This theme reflects the year-long presidential initiative of AOC President and Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer, who encouraged members to engage in strengthening their local mental health authority.
“Strengthening mental health services is a top priority,” Shafer said. “This year’s conference is an opportunity for us to come together, share solutions, and build collaborative partnerships that will help us better serve our communities.”
This initiative will be highlighted through concurrent sessions on county health and human services; a keynote presentation by Kevin Hines, a survivor, storyteller, filmmaker, and mental health champion; and a special session devoted to Shafer’s initiative. During the presidential initiative session, a panel of local partners will discuss how collaboration between peer support leaders, criminal justice officials, and other local mental health authorities strengthens mental health services and meets community needs.
Beyond the formal sessions, the conference also features valuable opportunities for networking and fun. This includes the Federal and State Agency Meet and Greet, and Wander Oregon, where counties will showcase their finest food, beverages, and artisanal products from across the state.
Online registration closes Saturday, Nov. 1. Find the full agenda and registration information on AOC’s conference webpage.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Sep 25, 2025 | AOC Business Partner
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Covenant Global
Counties are under constant pressure to keep sensitive data secure, yet the question many leaders ask is: “Where do we start?” The good news is there are simple, proven steps to get a clear picture of your current security posture and reduce your risk.
- Email Domain Health
Your email system is one of the most common entry points for attackers. Ensuring that SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance) are properly configured protects your organization from email spoofing and phishing attacks. These checks are quick and can reveal whether your email is fully protected—or leaving the door open.
- Dark Web Credential Scan
Compromised logins and passwords are regularly traded on the dark web. A periodic scan can identify if your staff credentials have been exposed. If so, the solution is straightforward: change the password on the compromised site and enable multifactor authentication (MFA) for added protection.
- Security Score Assessment: https://covenant.global/services/whats-your-security-score/
Microsoft’s Secure Score tool benchmarks your security posture against regulatory frameworks such as CJIS, HIPAA, and NIST. This gives you a baseline measurement and a prioritized list of improvements to harden your environment:
Recommended Next Steps
- Request an Email Health Check
- Run a Dark Web Credential Scan
- Get your Secure Score and Action Plan
- Remediate vulnerabilities with qualified support
This proactive approach offers peace of mind and a roadmap for continuous improvement. With high-profile cyber incidents regularly in the news, now is the time to act so your county stays protected—and out of the headlines.
For more information, call (503) 496-4431 or email tellmemore@covenant.global
Sep 2, 2025 | AOC Advocacy, Transportation
Following the Legislature’s failure to pass a transportation package during the 2025 regular legislative session, Governor Kotek called a special legislative session which started Aug. 29. House Bill 3991, the special session transportation bill, moved out of the House on Monday, Sept. 1, and is expected to move to the governor’s desk for signature after a vote of the Senate on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) was in regular conversations with the governor’s office as this special session proposal was developed, to ensure that it met our adopted principles and longstanding priority to stabilize the State Highway Fund (SHF) and maintain the counties’ 30% share, and included a continuation of the Small County Allotment, which supports the lowest population counties.
HB 3991 would generate approximately $700 million a biennium in the SHF revenue (split 50/30/20), primarily through a $0.06 per gallon increase to the gas tax; a $42 increase to all registration fees, an additional $30 for electric vehicles and 40+ mpg vehicles; and a $139 increase to title fees. The proposal also includes a phased-in mandatory road user charge program for electric and hybrid vehicles beginning July 2027, updates to heavy truck and diesel taxes, and accountability measures at the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Initial revenue projections show that counties will benefit from a nearly 30% increase in funding over four years from HB 3991. This will allow most counties to maintain current services and operations and keep our roads and bridges open and safe.
One of AOC’s top policy priorities this year was the passage of a comprehensive transportation funding package prioritizing investments in operations, maintenance, and safety; incorporating diverse and modern funding mechanisms to ensure the growth and stabilization of the SHF; maintaining the 30% county share of SHF revenues; and reducing barriers to local revenue sources. Throughout the 18+ months of legislative discussions about a 2025 transportation package, AOC, the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES), and counties have shown up strong at every turn and consistently communicated the message that counties are the state’s partner in maintaining a safe and seamless transportation system, and shared SHF revenues support this partnership.
AOC supported HB 3991 in consideration of the critical new funding it will provide to counties and the inclusion of both the 50/30/20 funding distribution and the Small County Allotment. It is a compromise stopgap measure, not a comprehensive transportation package, will not meet long-term revenue needs, and does not fund progress on mega-projects from House Bill 2017 (2017). AOC will continue to advocate for a collaborative, meaningful process involving all partners and stakeholders and bipartisan legislators to craft a long-term transportation package that can lift our shared system into the future.
Photo credit: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
