Jan 28, 2026 | AOC Advocacy, AOC News
The Oregon State Legislature’s 35-day short session begins on Feb. 2 and must end no later than March 8. Legislators’ primary objectives during the 5-week sprint will be mitigating historic budget gaps in both the state general fund and at the Oregon Department of Transportation. The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legislative Affairs team is working closely with legislators and our colleagues in Salem to protect county budgets and services during this process. AOC expects to make incremental progress on our 2025-26 legislative priorities, setting the stage for a productive interim.
AOC steering committees and the Legislative Committee will meet on Feb. 6 and 9 to review and take positions on bills impacting county services, budgets, and governance. AOC staff, alongside our steering committee co-chairs and the AOC Executive Committee, strive to ensure the association’s resources and political capital are leveraged strategically and effectively. Our processes and advocacy are strongest when commissioners, judges, and chairs from all member counties engage.
Committee meeting information is posted on the AOC website on the calendar and on each committee page accessed by the Advocacy drop-down menu.
The AOC Legislative Affairs Department looks forward to a successful and productive month advocating in the State Capitol for counties and the services they provide.
Contributed by Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Jan 28, 2026 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Rachael Gangelhoff as its new Legislative Affairs Coordinator.
Rachael brings over 10 years of valuable experience in local government to the AOC team. She is highly skilled in meeting administration and support, data collection and research, and is a subject matter expert in public meetings and public records. Prior to joining AOC, she served as the Deputy City Recorder for the City of Salem and as the City Recorder for the City of Gresham.
“We are confident that Rachael’s attention to detail and strong organizational skills make her a great addition to our team,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Dec 12, 2025 | AOC News, Natural Resources
Approximately 40 county commissioners, judges, and supervisors from across the nation met in Wasco, Sherman, and Gilliam counties for the first Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange in early December. Hosted by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Mana Consulting Group, the peer exchange is designed for county leaders to learn about renewable energy projects and gather the necessary information needed to make educated decisions around renewables in their respective counties. The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) members in attendance included Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis, Crook County Commissioner Susan Hermreck, Gilliam County Judge Cris Patnode, and Wasco County Commissioner Phil Brady.
Program participants first visited Pachwáywit Fields, the largest operating solar project in Oregon. County leaders not only saw the massive footprint of the solar site but learned how large-scale solar projects are integrated and managed with stewardship practices like seasonal grazing of sheep.
Next, the group traveled to Leaning Juniper II Wind Farm where Avangrid presented a technical overview of their wind projects in the region. Avangrid covered the early project development, operations and decommissioning, and repowering practices. Attendees were able to ask questions not only to the developers but also to local Oregon officials in Wasco, Gilliam, and Sherman counties on how renewable projects benefit their counties.
The tour continued at Avangrid’s National Training Facility where attendees got an up-close view of tools, equipment, and the training environment used in utility-scale wind and solar operations. The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring regional county leaders and advocates. Panelists shared practical insights from their work with local governments, highlighted considerations that strengthen the county voice during major project discussions, and discussed lessons learned for the region. The panel included Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis, former Community Renewable Energy Association (CREA) Executive Director Mike McArthur, and AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Branden Pursinger.
The peer exchange wrapped up with a discussion on ways to support regional energy workforce and data centers.
“It was an honor that NACo chose Sherman County as the first location to launch their energy peer exchange,” said Judge Dabulskis. “It was very educational; I feel I learned as much as anybody that attended and more than anything the networking with peers around the country was priceless.”
Conversations have already begun on how to bring this peer exchange to more county elected officials and how to tailor the conversations to be state specific.
Contributed by: Legislative Affairs Manager Branden Pursinger
Dec 12, 2025 | AOC News, Events
The 2025 Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Annual Conference, held Nov. 19-22 in Eugene, Ore., brought together over 600 county officials, agency leaders, partners, and exhibitors for three days of focused networking, learning, and relationship building to better serve Oregon’s communities.
Kicking off the conference was a powerful message of hope and survival from Keynote Speaker Kevin Hines. Hines, who survived a suicide attempt off the Golden Gate Bridge, told the captivated audience to help those who may be in pain and commit to “be here tomorrow, and every day after that.”
Mental health was the focus of this year’s conference, serving as the presidential initiative of outgoing AOC President, Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer.
“The powerful keynote from Kevin Hines set a purposeful tone for the conference,” said President Shafer, “reinforcing the critical importance of mental health initiatives.”
This focus carried through the conference sessions, which featured critical discussions on empowering local mental health authorities, the local impact of federal health and human services policy changes, and addressing county-level challenges within healthcare systems.
On the second day, Governor Tina Kotek joined the conference, emphasizing the need for counties and the state to collaborate. “I will be a strong partner with our counties,” Kotek promised, “to make sure we help Oregonians and we move the state forward.”
The governor encouraged attendees to foster regional partnerships during the afternoon agency meet and greet, a valuable opportunity for engagement with state and federal agency leaders.
Beyond mental health, speakers addressed a range of critical issues facing Oregon’s counties and the essential services they provide, including road safety, public health modernization, county revenue, emergency management, and energy capacity.
A key moment of the conference was the graduation ceremony for AOC’s County College program. Designed for new commissioners, judges, chairs, and high-level staff, the program offers a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and authorities of a county and county elected officials. County leaders from twenty-one counties completed the six-month program.
For newly elected officials, the program is an invaluable resource. Baker County Commissioner Michelle Kaseberg credits her experience at County College with “helping me connect the information shared at the AOC Annual Conference to real-world county operations.”
In addition to educational sessions and networking opportunities, one of the highlights every year is Wander Oregon, an event that showcases the diverse offerings of Oregon’s counties. Nineteen counties shared their finest food, beverages, and artisanal products – from fry bread and seafood to lavender, cheeses and much more. We are grateful to all participating counties and their staff for making Wander Oregon a wonderful celebration of what Oregon has to offer.
“The 2025 AOC Annual Conference was an overwhelming success, bringing together dedicated county leaders and partners to focus on the most pressing issues facing Oregon’s communities,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “This event proved once again to be an indispensable forum for networking, collaboration, and building the partnerships necessary to effectively serve all Oregonians.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Dec 1, 2025 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) swore in its new executive committee for the upcoming year during the annual business meeting at the AOC Annual Conference in Eugene, Ore. Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar now serves as the AOC president. The executive team will work collaboratively throughout 2026 to lead the organization, ensuring that AOC meets its core mission of uniting Oregon’s 36 counties.
The full executive team:
- President: Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar
- First Vice President: Sherman County Judge Joe Dabulskis
- Second Vice President: Polk County Commissioner Jeremy Gordon
- Treasurer: Clatsop County Commissioner Lianne Thompson
- Immediate Past President: Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer
As AOC President, Skaar is responsible for appointing fellow county commissioners to serve as steering committee co-chairs during her tenure. AOC’s five steering committees, staffed and supported by the Legislative Affairs Department, consider positions on policy and legislative issues that unite counties and impact county services, functions, and budgets.
AOC steering committee co-chairs:
Governance, Revenue, and Economic Development Steering Committee
- Columbia County Commissioner Casey Garrett
- Benton County Commissioner Gabe Shepherd
Health And Human Services Steering Committee
- Wallowa County Commissioner Lisa Collier
- Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai
Natural Resources Steering Committee
- Wasco County Commissioner Scott Hege
- Polk County Commissioner Craig Pope
Public Safety and Veterans Steering Committee
- Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone
- Yamhill County Commissioner Bubba King
Transportation and Community Development Steering Committee
- Umatilla County Commissioner Dan Dorran
- Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Oct 30, 2025 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) wrapped up its annual district meetings in October. These meetings provided an opportunity for AOC staff and district chairs to gather member feedback and share organizational updates. In addition to AOC business and district chair elections, these meetings also hold time for a “hot-topics” discussion on key issues facing the region’s counties. This year, discussions focused on county revenue challenges to fund essential services, managing energy capacity and solid waste, and addressing shortages in mental health providers and affordable housing.
Executive Director Gina Nikkel presented an in-depth overview of the proposed budget for the upcoming year and reviewed proposed AOC bylaws amendments. Both items will be considered for adoption by the full membership at the AOC Annual Business Meeting during the 2025 Annual Conference in November.
AOC department directors also joined district meetings, providing updates on key accomplishments and outcomes for AOC member counties. Member Services Director Jill Rees highlighted the growth of the business partner program, County Road Program Director Brian Worley presented an update on county road revenue, and Legislative Affairs Director Mallorie Roberts presented an overview of the 2025 legislative session and provided a preview of what to expect in the 2026 legislative session.
These hybrid meetings are held every fall in AOC’s eight regional districts and are hosted by a member county within each district. District leaders, who serve on AOC’s Board of Directors and Legislative Committee, play a key role in ensuring regional representation in the major organizational decisions and policy positions for the association. AOC extends its gratitude to all who attended AOC district meetings for their valuable input — an essential component to the success and direction of the association.
Meeting information, recordings, and materials can be found here.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
