FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Megan Chuinard
PHONE: 503-585-8351
EMAIL: news@oregoncounties.org
WEBSITE: www.oregoncounties.org
Salem, Ore. (August 21, 2020) — During a press conference today, Oregon Governor Kate Brown called on counties and local officials to: 1. lead by example; 2. educate first; and 3. enforce her executive orders in order to reduce COVID-19 transmission rates for schools to safely reopen during the fall. Governor Brown cautioned further restrictions for the State if rates are not reduced.
The announcement came as a surprise for counties as they have been leading the way, acting in their capacity as the local public health authority and first responders in their communities and taking measures necessary to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Oregonians.
Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Executive Director, Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D. said of the governor’s statement, “Oregon counties are committed to doing their part in protecting public health during this pandemic and are already encouraging Oregonians to be safe and take precautions. We are partners with the State, delivering critical services to Oregonians on their behalf. Today, we ask the governor and State officials to support counties. These increased expectations the governor announced require additional resources that the State has yet to distribute.”
The association issued the following list of challenges and solutions related to her request, and ask the governor for her partnership in working toward collaborative solutions to fighting the pandemic:
- Lead by Example – Counties are actively working in their communities to reduce transmission of the virus and ensure Oregonians are safe during this pandemic. While they support the sentiment of the governor to reduce the spread, counties are calling on the governor to provide critical financial and other resources directly to counties to continue to fight the virus and save the lives of Oregonians.
- Educate First – Counties are communicating mitigation measures with Oregonians. Counties ask the governor and the Oregon Health Authority to provide clarity on metrics being used to address the community response. The State has continued to waver on State versus county metrics on economic and community reopening status. COVID-19 varies widely from county-to-county. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work as well as community-based responses. Unfortunately, with continued changes in standards, it becomes challenging to “educate” related to enforcement measures.
- Enforce – Counties have limited enforcement staff. The primary enforcement arm of counties are sheriffs, independent elected officials. Counties ask the governor to reach out to sheriffs for support on enforcement and provide resources for enforcement bodies to safely support mitigation measures.
Additionally, the primary source of COVID-19 outbreaks in many Oregon communities has not been a failure of businesses to follow mandates and guidance. The primary source is family and other social gatherings that are not capable of being prevented by enforcement. Retail businesses should not be penalized in an already economically devastating time, when they are not the source of spread.
Counties implore the governor to work with counties and local governments for community based solutions, provide transparency in decision making, identify innovative solutions for community needs such as school reopenings, and provide the resources intended for counties to continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The State received $1.389 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) resources for COVID-19 related expenses. Federal guidance clarifies the State should provide 45 percent, or $624.8 million, to counties and local governments. However, the State chose to only distribute $200 million to local governments, and only on a reimbursement basis, further exacerbating the challenge of limited resources. Counties are poised to make the best decisions and investments for addressing the impact of the pandemic and reducing outbreak at the community level. The decision of the State to withhold, and ultimately spend resources intended for counties and local government response efforts makes it even more difficult for counties to effectively respond to the governor’s call for more assistance from counties.
“Counties want to make it clear that our focus is on preventing community spread, and we stand with the governor with regard to this work, but counties need the State’s help with resources, such as funding for public safety support, quarantine and isolation locations, testing, creative solutions for further mitigation, and economic stability,” said Nikkel.
AOC will soon issue a list of county resource needs for consideration of the governor and legislative leadership to support their work in reducing COVID-19 transmission, standing up crippled businesses, and providing infrastructure and critical supports for educational, business, and other community needs.
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About AOC
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) unites Oregon’s 36 county governments. Founded in 1906, AOC brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on statewide and national policy, exchange ideas, build new leadership skills, and exercise exemplary leadership in public service, while enriching the public’s understanding of county government.