County leaders from across Oregon came together in May for the fourth session of County College, a program by the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) designed to equip new county leaders with training on governance, roles, and responsibilities.
Held at the AOC office in Salem, the three-day training focused on the county’s role in public safety and natural resources. Earlier sessions covered topics such as health and human services, veterans’ services, community development, and county governance.
“The work counties do in public safety and natural resources is foundational to the well-being of our communities,” said AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel. “From protecting our communities through law enforcement and emergency services to stewarding Oregon’s abundant natural resources like forests and water, counties are on the front lines, ensuring a safe and sustainable future for all Oregonians.”
Participants received a comprehensive look into Oregon’s criminal justice system, beginning with an overview of the state’s judicial department and its interactions with county governments. They learned about the role of district attorney offices, the responsibilities of county sheriffs, and the importance of community corrections in maintaining public safety. A highlight of the session was a visit to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, where attendees toured the Emergency Coordination Center and learned about grant programs, disaster response, recovery operations, and support services for county emergency managers.
“County College is immensely valuable,” said Hood River County Administrator Allison Williams. “As a new county leader, the sessions are packed with information that is critical for understanding our statutory responsibilities. Combined with the learning that happens across those participating, partnerships have been created which advance the cause of counties on the local, state and federal level. The latest session focused on courts, the office of the Sheriff, natural resources, and emergency management which are everyday topics in our county. I am so pleased to be attending.”
AOC Legislative Affairs Manager Branden Pursinger led a discussion on the role of the Council of Forest Trust Land Counties, which helps uphold the trust and contractual relationships tied to county forest trust lands. Attendees also heard from the Oregon Department of Forestry on timber protection and ecosystem management strategies, and learned some fun facts about Oregon — nearly half of Oregon is forestland, and Oregon is the top producer in the U.S. of softwood lumber and plywood.
The session also covered state policy development regarding water and public lands, and featured a presentation from the Oregon State Fire Marshal on wildfire response coordination through the Fire and Conflagration Act. Additionally, participants learned about the state’s commitment to protecting fish, wildlife, and their habitats, and ensuring sustainable water supplies for future generations.
To round out the training, AOC Legislative Director Mallorie Roberts presented an overview of statutory duties required of counties under Oregon law. These include establishing emergency management agencies, conducting elections, regulating solid waste collection, and creating county juvenile departments, among others.
Special thanks to OSU Extension Services and CIS Oregon for their financial support that helps make County College possible, and to all our guest speakers for sharing their time and expertise.
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator