Senate Concurrent Resolution 204, a measure honoring the role of counties and the 120th anniversary of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), has successfully passed both chambers unanimously and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Introduced at the request of AOC by Senate President Rob Wagner, SCR 204 was chief-sponsored by House Speaker Julie Fahey, Sens. Janeen Sollman, Todd Nash, David Brock Smith, and Jeff Golden, and Rep. Court Boice. The resolution’s regular sponsors included twenty-two bipartisan and bicameral legislators.
AOC’s vital role and the essential services provided by counties were highlighted for legislators through public hearings in the Senate and House Committees on Rules. AOC President Erin Skaar and Executive Director Gina Nikkel spoke to the unique perspective and process that AOC brings to our advocacy and the importance of a strong, collaborative state-county partnership.
“We believe that when commissioners from the metro area and the farthest corners of Eastern Oregon advocate on issues of importance to county governments with a shared voice – when we sit together before you in this building with a shared message – the Legislature ought to take notice,” said Skaar in her public hearing testimony. “In fact we believe it is critical to well-functioning government in our state and critical to the efficient and effective delivery of county services to our shared constituents, that you do.”
During public hearings and a special event on County Day in the Capitol, where 30 AOC members were present in the Senate gallery, several legislators offered testimony in support of SCR 204. Sollman, Brock Smith, Golden, and Nash testified about the value and importance of AOC before the resolution passed through the chamber.
Nash spoke about AOC’s role of unifying counties from urban, rural, and remote areas to create a stronger voice. “It was so inspiring; we were non-partisan,” Nash said. “We worked on issues together [to] have a voice here in this state building. From Wallowa County, 7,400 people but a large land mass, and Harney County — we all had a voice.”
Sollman’s testimony focused on the range of county services. “From public works and land use to behavioral health and public safety, our partners at the county level deliver essential infrastructure and services that keep our state thriving,” testified Sollman.
Brock Smith emphasized that while counties share responsibility with the state for many services — as illustrated by AOC’s Shared Services Chart — counties remain the sole providers of numerous other services such as elections, building codes, and solid waste management. A recording of the Senate floor session is available for viewing.
AOC was founded 120 years ago, in 1906, with the same purpose and mission that we still carry today – to bring county officials together to advocate with a collective voice, to exchange ideas and build relationships with peers statewide, to support county elected officials in exercising exemplary leadership in public service, and to enrich the public’s understanding of county government.
“I know I can speak for our entire staff at AOC when I say that we are honored to serve county governments, and through them, all Oregonians, in our work at AOC,” said Nikkel. “We look forward to many more years of working together, uplifting our mission – uniting counties to advocate, communicate, and educate.”
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator