Sep 30, 2024 | AOC News, Events
AOC’s Annual Conference, held in Lane County, Nov. 19-21, draws together a cross section of elected officials, county staff, partners, and other participants for educational opportunities, leadership development, and networking.
AOC President and Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell was instrumental in shaping the programming for this year’s conference. Her focus as president — fostering engagement and collaboration — will be evident through numerous opportunities, including an expanded attendee lounge to enhance connections.
“This year’s conference will embody our motto — United Counties, United Oregon,” said Bethell, “and serve as a powerful reflection of the critical work counties do for Oregon and the collective impact that comes from collaboration.”
The opening general session keynote speaker will present on conquering fear. In addition, a dynamic lineup of educational workshops will provide an in-depth exploration of critical issues impacting the future of our communities:
- 2025 transportation package
- Oregon’s land use system
- County deflection programs
- Wildfires
- County assessment and taxation
- Communicable diseases
- Homelessness
- Community corrections
Attendees from rural and urban counties, large and small, participate in the three-day event aimed at improving residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government.
“AOC’s Annual Conference is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’ve made and strengthen the partnerships that allow us to deliver even better outcomes for the people of Oregon,” said Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “I look forward to connecting with our members, partners, and county staff from across the state.”
Online registration closes Friday, Nov. 1. Find more information and view the agenda on AOC’s conference webpage.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Sep 24, 2024 | Events, Transportation
The Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) program is a bi-state effort between Oregon and Washington to replace the aging Interstate Bridge with a safer, earthquake resilient multimodal corridor. It will reconstruct seven interchanges in Portland and Vancouver, create thousands of jobs, improve mobility along the interstate, and provide a new light rail link between Portland Vancouver.
The program published its Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on Sept. 20, 2024, kicking off a 60-day public comment process under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) that will run through Nov.18, 2024.
Program Administrator Greg Johnson will be joining the Association of Counties (AOC) and League of Oregon Cities (LOC) on Oct. 25, from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a virtual presentation to talk about the IBR program, highlight the key findings of the Draft SEIS, and outline how to participate in the public comment process.
Join the webinar here. (New link)
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Aug 29, 2024 | AOC News, Events
The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD), the League of Oregon Cities (LOC), and the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) are co-hosting a webinar on Sept. 18, 12-1 p.m., to provide a forum for city and county representatives to learn more about DLCD’s Goal 5 Cultural Areas rulemaking process. The Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) initiated this rulemaking in November 2023.
Register for the webinar here.
DLCD staff also will hold office hours for informal discussion in September and October. Please sign up to receive additional information on the rulemaking and implementation processes by signing up for emails here. Staff anticipate the first hearing on the draft rules to be held during LCDC’s September meeting on Sept. 25. The period for formal written comment on the draft rules will be Sept. 1 to Oct. 16. DLCD staff are recommending an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.
Background: while statewide land use planning Goal 5 includes reference to the inventory and associated strategies to protect cultural resources, the goal does not define or operationalize protections for these areas. In 1996, the LCDC adopted rules for inventorying and protecting other resources in OAR Chapter 660 Division 23. Developing similar guidelines for cultural areas was postponed at this time until statewide government-to-government relationships were better established.
Additional materials are online here.
DLCD encourages comments submitted to dlcd.goal5CA@dlcd.oregon.gov. Questions are also welcome to Amanda.Punton@dlcd.oregon.gov.
Oct 27, 2023 | Events
Online registration closes Monday, Oct. 30, for AOC’s Annual Conference, held in Lane County, Nov. 14-16. The annual conference draws together a cross section of elected officials, county staff, partners, and other participants for educational opportunities, leadership development, and networking. Attendees from rural and urban counties, large and small, participate in the three-day event aimed at improving residents’ lives and the efficiency of county government.
AOC President and Klamath County Commissioner Derrick DeGroot played an integral part in developing this year’s educational programming and finding ways to unite county officials and connect throughout the event. “My focus as AOC president during the 2023 legislative session was to improve the status of counties in the state capitol,” said DeGroot. “Spending six months in Salem reaffirmed my belief that building meaningful relationships is critical to strengthening the state-county partnership and achieving policy solutions that result in efficient and effective delivery of services to the public.”
Concurrent sessions will cover topics ranging from preventing wildfires and cyberattacks to exploring solutions for homelessness, the opioid epidemic, and the mental health crisis.
Also during the conference, Oregon’s U.S. Senators Wyden and Merkley will both step off of the Senate floor for a “couch session” live from Washington D.C., and Brian Miller, a magician turned international speaker on human connection, perspectives, and understanding, will talk on “Connecting with Purpose: How to Magically Connect with Anyone.”
“AOC’s Annual Conference has continued to provide education and networking opportunities for counties for over a century,” commented AOC Executive Director Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D. “This unique gathering offers commissioners, judges, chairs, county staff, and partners across the state to come together and explore innovative solutions to county issues, learn from their peers, and develop key relationships. I look forward to this year’s programming lineup which will focus on preventing and solving the top issues that impact counties.”
Online registration closes Monday, Oct. 30.
Please register before Oct. 30, to secure the reduced rate. After Oct. 30, prices will go up, and registration will have to be done on site. Find registration fees and more information on AOC’s conference webpage.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
