Aug 28, 2023 | AOC News
With the governor’s signing of Senate Bill 80 (2023) in July, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) began to put in motion a month-long statewide outreach effort to incorporate county input and expertise into a new Wildfire Hazard Map.
AOC successfully advocated for this increased county involvement and representation in the mapping process during the 2023 legislative session and hopes these efforts will result in a well-received and accurate final product.
Pursuant to statute, ODF and AOC will host eight regional Wildfire Hazard Map meetings throughout the state beginning the first week of September, in conjunction with AOC’s eight annual district meetings.
Two weeks prior to their scheduled meeting each region will be provided a draft map for review by county technical staff – planning directors, emergency managers, and administrators.
During the meetings, ODF and state agency representatives will walk through identified areas of concern with county representatives. ODF will provide reasoning for any areas of concern that are unable to be alleviated.
These Wildfire Mapping County Meetings are broken down in the following way.
- AOC District 5: Benton, Lane, and Linn County
- Friday, September 8 in Eugene (Lane County).
- AOC District 7: Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, and Tillamook County
- Friday, September 15 in Tillamook (Tillamook County).
- AOC District 4: Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine County
- Monday, September 18 in Grants Pass (Josephine County).
- AOC District 2: Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, and Lake County
- Thursday, September 21 in Klamath Falls (Klamath County).
- AOC District 3: Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler County
- Thursday, September 28 in Moro (Sherman County)
- AOC District 1: Baker, Grant, Malheur, Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa County
- Friday, September 29 in Pendleton (Umatilla County)
- AOC District 8: Washington, Multnomah, and Clackamas County
- Wednesday, October 4, in Hillsboro (Washington County)
- AOC District 6: Marion, Polk, and Yamhill County
- Friday, October 6, in Dallas (Polk County)
Governor Kotek has directed all the necessary and appropriate individuals from the executive branch to travel to each regional meeting to participate in person and ensure a thorough and productive process. AOC expects the following state partners to join county commissioners and staff:
Oregon Department of Forestry:
- Cal Mukumoto; State Forester (Availability limited)
- Derrick Wheeler; Legislative Coordinator
- Tim Holschbach; Deputy Chief, Policy and Planning
- Derek Gasperini; Public Affairs Officer
Oregon State University:
- Chris Dunn; Research Associate, Department of Forest Engineering
- Andy McEvoy; Research Assistant
Oregon State Fire Marshal:
- Mariana Riuz-Temple; State Fire Marshal
- Claire McGrew; Fire Protection Risk Administrator
- Chad Hawkins; Fire Protection Risk Manager
Department of Consumer and Business Services:
- Andrew Stolfi, Director and Chief Insurance Officer, DCBS
- Alex Chang; Deputy Administrator DCBS
- Eric Cutler; Section Manager, DCBS
- Alana Cox; Building Codes Division Administrator
- Eric McMullen; Senior Building Code Specialist
Contributed by: Branden Pursinger | Legislative Affairs Manager
Aug 28, 2023 | AOC News
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) unveils the County Profiles data dashboard, a tool that provides key data about housing dynamics in the state. The County Profiles aims to tell a comprehensive story about housing in Oregon while addressing questions frequently posed to the agency regarding affordable housing, home purchasing costs, and homelessness.
OHCS uses data to inform policy solutions. The agency created these profiles to provide information about various topics connected to housing, such as the race and gender of people living in poverty or the population of a specific county.
Each County Profile has five data sections:
- Population
- Poverty
- Homeownership
- Rental Housing
- Homelessness
The data is primarily sourced from the US Census Bureau’s annual surveys. The dashboard presents many of these statistics by race, ethnicity, and gender when the data is available.
The dashboard will be updated annually and continue to evolve to improve transparency. Individuals, organizations, and policymakers are urged to explore the County Profiles and email feedback, questions, or recommendations to hcs_research@hcs.oregon.gov.
Contributed by: Jessica Pratt | Legislative Affairs Manager
Aug 21, 2023 | AOC News
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) has hired Jennifer Lewis-Goff as a legislative affairs manager. Her portfolio will cover issues related to public safety, veterans services, and community development.
Lewis-Goff comes to AOC with nearly 15 years of diverse experience in policy analysis, advocacy, and member association management. She brings established relationships and demonstrated success in coalition building in the Oregon State Legislature and will be an asset to the association.
“AOC is excited to have Jen on the county team. I know she will be a great fit for our organization and will effectively elevate the county voice with our partner agencies and organizations,” said Gina Firman Nikkel, AOC executive director, of the hire.
Lewis-Goff will complete AOC’s Legislative Affairs team, joining Mallorie Roberts, who serves as the association’s legislative director (covering transportation policy); and legislative affairs managers: Michael Burdick (governance, revenue, and economic development), Branden Pursinger (natural resources and land use), and Jessica Pratt (health and human services).
Lewis-Goff’s first day is September 1, 2023.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Aug 17, 2023 | AOC Advocacy, AOC News
The 2023 AOC Legislative Summary is a comprehensive report that describes the outcomes of the Association of Oregon Counties’ top legislative priorities and provides a detailed overview of each piece of legislation on which the AOC Legislative Committee took a position during Oregon’s 82nd Legislative Assembly.
Over 2000 bills were introduced this session and 697 were passed into law. The AOC Legislative Affairs Team lobbied for/against 189 concepts and submitted fiscal impact statements on over 500 proposals with potential impact to county budgets.
The strategic input, lobbying efforts, and technical expertise from commissioners, chairs, judges, and county staff this session was critical to AOC’s ability to advocate successfully on behalf of all of Oregon’s counties in the State Capitol. Together we secured significant policy and budgetary wins, built meaningful relationships with key state leaders, and advanced the state-county partnership.
The AOC Legislative Summary was emailed to the membership in PDF form, a hard copy was mailed to each county, and it can be found at www.orgeoncounties.org.
Click here to view the 2023 AOC Legislative Summary.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Director
Aug 15, 2023 | AOC News
Each year, the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) holds eight district meetings where AOC’s member counties gather with regional partners for collaboration and knowledge sharing on the most important issues facing their communities. These meetings are typically held in-person, and hosted by a member county within the district.
District counties and meeting details are as follows:
District 1
- Baker, Grant, Malheur, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa
- Date: September 29; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 2
- Crook, Deschutes, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake
- Date: September 21; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 3
- Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler
- Date: September 28; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 4
- Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine
- Date: September 18; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 5
- Benton, Lane, Linn
- Date: September 8; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 6
- Marion, Polk, Yamhill
- Date: October 6; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 7
- Clatsop, Columbia, Lincoln, Tillamook
- Date: September 15; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
District 8
- Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington
- Date: October 4; Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Additional meeting information can be found here.
Contributed by: Mckenzie Farrell | Operations Director
Aug 10, 2023 | AOC Business Partner
A new messaging campaign is raising awareness and encouraging applicants to join Eastern Oregon’s behavioral health workforce.
Since May 15, Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. (GOBHI) and a network of its providers have launched this campaign. The message is: “Come Care With Us.”
The campaign was funded by GOBHI and developed in partnership with providers and community stakeholders. This partnership is called the GOBHI Network. Staff collaborated with the firm CFM Advocates and subcontractors ZPP Productions and Birdee Media to create these high quality products. The launch of the campaign also coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month, which is recognized in May each year.
The GOBHI Network encourages all partners and community members to spread the word that Eastern Oregon is a great place to live and work.
The campaign includes:
- A website with job listings from Community Mental Health Providers and other network providers in the region, information about Eastern Oregon attractions, and details about the GOBHI network.
- Five short videos featuring powerful interviews with behavioral health professionals in Eastern Oregon.
- Social media messaging across multiple platforms. Partners are encouraged to share these posts and tag the campaign on social media.
Radio spots
- In-person recruitment events and outreach to community colleges, universities and high schools serving the region.
- Open letter to all high school students in Eastern Oregon.
The GOBHI Network is thankful for these partnerships and help in disseminating this messaging throughout the community. If you would like more information about the campaign, please contact info@bhcareers.org.
Contributed by: Kristen Paul | Public Affairs Associate
*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.
Aug 1, 2023 | AOC Business Partner
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the April NACo Leadership Academy graduates from Oregon. They join over 10,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 12-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential.
- Aiyana Bankston, IT Business Analyst, Washington County
- Al O’Quinn, ITS Project Manager, Washington County
- Angela Dolan, Management Analyst II, Washington County
- Brian Hanes, GIS Coordinator, Washington County
- Bryan MacDonald, Configuration Management Supervisor, Washington County
- Charlene Bosell, Senior Database Administrator, Washington County
- Christina Pomrenke, Project Manager, Multnomah County
- Dan Spraker, Network Administration Supervisor, Washington County
- Darren Nichols, Community Development Director, Benton County
- Destiny Fogarty-Olivas, ITS Project Manager, Washington County
- Diane Lee-Kuneer, Administrative Specialist II, Washington County
- John Williams, Facilities Operations Manager, Washington County
- Judy Williams, Strategy and Integration Manager, Lane County
- Justin Ramsdill, Systems Administration Supervisor, Washington County
- Kea Sundberg, Senior Management Analyst, Washington County
- Kevin Babbitt, Advanced Technology Manager, Washington County
- Luke Ross, Technical Services Manager, Washington County
- Mitchell Hernandez, Appraisal Supervisor, Umatilla County
- Nada Mohamoud, IT Business Analyst, Washington County
- Nikki Underwood, Helpdesk Supervisor, Washington County
- Rebekah Bishop, Sr Information System Analyst, Washington County
- Sam Kim, Interim CIO, Washington County
- Savannah Lane, Assistant Director of Budget and Finance, Umatilla County
- Shane Boyle, Systems Administration Supervisor, Washington County
- Suzie Dahl, Director of Land Development Services, Columbia County
- Theme Grenz, Project Management Office Manager, Washington County
- Wayne Flynn, Advanced Technology Manager, Washington County
Invest in Your Team with Leadership Training!
Our September cohort is just around the corner. Prioritize leadership development today and deliver results for your team and county. Scholarships are available.
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Developed by General Colin Powell, the Professional Development Academy and NACo, the High Performance Leadership Academy is an online 12-week program that helps your workforce develop fundamental, practical leadership skills to deliver results for counties and residents.
Contributed by: Kristen Paul | Public Affairs Associate
*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.
Jun 27, 2023 | AOC News
National Association of Counties Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing Amplifies Message at White House, on Capitol Hill
As a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, Gina Firman Nikkel, Ph.D, advocated last month in Washington, D.C. for policy priorities around mental and behavioral health. The commission also released new research highlighting county perspectives on this national crisis.
Part of Mental Health Awareness Month efforts, on May 10, the group joined the White House State and Local Partners Forum on Mental Health and Wellbeing, and on May 11, the commission met on Capitol Hill with the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and the Bipartisan Addiction Task Force. The commission shared crucial county perspectives geared towards strengthening the intergovernmental partnership and urging action to achieve shared goals.
“Counties in Oregon are the boots on the ground – and by law – the local mental health authority. We must continue to present the whole story of what is needed to coordinate and deliver an effective local continuum of care. This care should be driven by science not profit. It should be driven by people experiencing mental health challenges and addiction not commercialization. And, it should be driven by compassion not apathy,” stated Nikkel.
The commission released new data based on a survey of over 200 U.S. counties, with findings focused on the mental health landscape in counties and the areas of greatest need. Key takeaways from the research include:
- The nation is facing an acute escalation of the mental and behavioral health crisis.
- Seventy-five percent of counties reported an increase in incidence of behavioral health conditions in the last year, and 89 percent reported an increase compared to five years ago.
- Youth behavioral health needs are at the forefront of the crisis.
- Two-thirds (67 percent) of counties reported that youth behavioral health conditions are “definitely a problem” or “very prevalent and/or severe.”
- Limited access to services inhibits county residents from receiving the help they need.
- Seventy-four percent of counties cited financial costs as a barrier to expanding access to behavioral health services, and 71 percent cited lack of direct service providers.
- The crisis is exacerbated by a lack of behavioral health workers.
- Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of counties consider the shortage of behavioral health workers in their county to be “definitely a problem” or “a severe problem.”
- The financial and human costs of behavioral health are compounding across all county systems.
- Eighty percent of counties indicated that they incurred associated costs in the legal system (courts and jails), 77 percent indicated associated costs in law enforcement, and 54 percent indicated associated costs in the health system and hospitals.
“This data released on behavioral health conditions by the NACo Mental Health Commission is significant and supports what our counties are experiencing on the ground in their communities. We must tackle the workforce shortages, unfair policies, and the risks of profit over personalized care,” stated Nikkel.
The new research pairs key findings with associated policy objectives, including:
- Amending detrimental policies under Medicaid, like the Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Policy (MIEP) and the Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMD) exclusion
- Obtaining direct and flexible resources to support the recruitment, training and retention of a sufficient behavioral health workforce
- Enhancing the intergovernmental partnership for the development and modernization of local crisis response systems and infrastructure, and
- Enforcing policies that ensure equitable coverage for treatment of mental illness and addiction.
The events last month marked the first in-person meeting of NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing since it was announced in February. The group is focused on building urgency, awareness, and crucial partnerships around the mental health crisis in America, with plans to release in-depth policy and programmatic recommendations in early 2024.
For more information about NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, click here.
Jun 26, 2023 | AOC Advocacy, AOC News
The 82nd Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on June 25, 2023 after a whirlwind of productivity during the initial four months followed by an historic six week stalemate. Under leadership from AOC policy steering committees and AOC Legislative Committee, members and staff spent the last six months advocating for AOC’s 2023 legislative priorities, negotiating away threats to county budgets and services, and securing significant policy wins and funding for counties.
This year saw a newly elected governor and administration, new leadership in both the House and Senate, and a large majority of freshmen legislators. Recognizing this as both an opportunity and a challenge, AOC prioritized meaningful relationship development this session. AOC President Derrick DeGroot and AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel spent time over the last six months with Governor Kotek and staff, House Speaker, House and Senate Majority and Minority Leader offices, and key committee leadership.
“Politics is a person-to-person business,” said President DeGroot. For AOC and counties to achieve more influence and impact in Salem, we have to spend time developing long-term relationships and implementing thoughtful, productive strategy.”
Notable AOC wins this session include:
- HB 2101A – Surface Transportation Block Grant Fund Exchange Program stability
- HB 3201 – Critical updates to broadband statutes to secure nearly $900M in federal funding
- SB 80A – Improved Dept of Forestry/county engagement process on wildfire hazard map
- HB 2010A – Place based water planning and drought resources
- Interim work group on aid and assist liability mitigation and a risk fund
- SB 344A – Reauthorization of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative
The AOC legislative affairs team lobbied for/against over 180 bills this session, analyzed and submitted fiscal impact statements on over 500 bills, and secured interim legislative workgroup commitments for priorities that did not pass this session.
Details on every bill on which the AOC Legislative Committee took a position will be included in the AOC Legislative Session Report, published in the coming weeks. Please join the upcoming virtual meetings of the AOC Steering Committees for a deeper dive into policy and budget outcomes.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts, AOC legislative affairs director
Jun 26, 2023 | Natural Resources
Counties have until July 12th, 2023 to submit allocation elections between SRS and USFS 1908 payments – and elections between SRS Title I, II, and III – to AOC.
Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (County FY 2024) Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program payments are projected to be greater than United States Forest Services (USFS) 1908 Act 25 percent timber harvest (USFS 1908) payments for all Oregon counties.
Please send the “Oregon Election Form FY24” for your county to Branden Pursinger at AOC to ensure all forms are submitted to DAS by the deadline.
Contributed by: Branden Pursinger, AOC legislative affairs manager
