AOC September COVID-19 Update

Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has been dedicated to providing critical member services during the pandemic to help Oregon’s 36 counties navigate the complexities involved with health, testing, regulatory changes, economic impact, resource management, advocacy, and critical information. Below are critical areas AOC has been focused on.

Advocacy

AOC has been working with the State to ensure critical funding reaches the state’s front-line service providers, Oregon’s counties.

As the local public health authority and the broad safety net providers in Oregon’s communities small and large, counties need the State’s support to continue to uplift our most vulnerable populations and continue to deliver crucial services to meet the needs of our unique communities.

With the majority of Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) allocated and with less than a third of the dollars the federal government intended for counties and local government distributed to local government, AOC conducted a county needs assessment to illustrate 1. the critical role counties play in response efforts, and 2. the existing financial needs counties project through the end of the year- including expenditures and lost revenue.

Overall, during the identified timeframe, counties are expecting a total of $395 million in expenditures to cover public health and behavioral health needs; economic supports such as grants and infrastructure; community supports including child care and food assistance; additional personnel and equipment across departments; and many others that could be covered by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF).

The identified revenue loss for counties in this short timeframe assessed is $80.6 million, with a direct loss of $10.5 million from the State Highway Fund (SHF).

Click here to see the 2020 COVID-19 County Needs Report.

This report was distributed to the governor and legislative leadership. Click here to view the accompanying letter.

Regulatory Relief

AOC successfully worked with the State in the early stages of the pandemic to provide flexibilities around budgets, clarity and access for public meetings in a now virtual world, and flexibilities for counties to continue to provide services for Oregonians.

Communications

Over the course of the pandemic, AOC has communicated on a number of issues related to the pandemic, including providing regular updates to county officials on federal, State, and regulatory action, as well as funding opportunities that impact Oregonians. Since March, AOC has distributed 87 special COVID-19 briefings and news alerts to county commissioners, judges, chairs, and administrators. AOC has additionally created a combined briefing for members that encompasses information on COVID-19 and other emergent situations, such as the recent wildfires.

Information Sharing

AOC has and continues to work with State and federal partners, including the National Association of Counties (NACo) to ensure counties have been able to ask questions and provide input on regulations and mitigation efforts.

Key information sharing options AOC has coordinated:

  • Weekly agency partners call (25 have been held since March).
  • District listening posts for regional information sharing.
  • Regular calls with the governor’s office.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate

2020-09-30T12:40:58-07:00September 29th, 2020|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: |
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