Mar 25, 2025 | AOC News, NACo
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) invites Oregon counties to join us as we celebrate National County Government Month (NCGM) during the month of April to showcase how counties achieve healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. Highlight your effective or innovative county programs and raise public awareness of services provided to the community through news stories, outreach events, and on your social media. Show your community why counties matter and remember to use the hashtag #NCGM and tag AOC (@OregonCounties) in your social posts.
Every Oregonian lives in a county and benefits from their county government services. Use AOC’s Shared Services Chart to show the wide range of public services Oregon counties provide, such as:
- Counties own and maintain the most road miles in the state
- County public works, building, and planning departments are critical components of community and housing development
- Counties are the local mental health and public health authorities
- The county assessor and tax collector functions support every taxing district
- County clerks run all elections
- Counties house the district attorney, sheriff, and circuit courts
Since 1991, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents. NACo offers many tools to help tell the county story, inspire civic engagement and educate a wide range of audiences about county government. View NACo’s NCGM toolkit for ideas, sample social posts, county fact sheets, and many more resources to help your county celebrate.
Contributed by: Communication Coordinator Erin Good
Jul 29, 2024 | AOC News, NACo
AOC members from eleven counties attended the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference and Exposition in Hillsborough County, Fla. in July. The nation’s largest meeting of county leaders drew nearly 3,000 attendees to discuss a wide range of policy issues, exchange best practices, and connect with national leaders.
“It was a great experience,” said AOC President Danielle Bethell. “The opportunity to work alongside my fellow Oregon commissioners on policy topics important to us was invigorating. The energy we have as a team, speaking to our uniqueness as individual counties and as a state resonated with our peers in other states.”
Apart from attending NACo steering committees and breakout sessions, personal connections were strengthened through shared lunches and walks down Ybor Avenue (the 7th most popular street in the U.S.). Bethell encourages members to attend future conferences to help achieve better outcomes for Oregon counties. “This was my first year in attendance and I left knowing I’ll continue to attend.”
The conference provided attendees with resources to help address key issues, including mental health, housing affordability, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, disaster preparedness, effective governance and operations, federal public lands management, workforce and economic development, and civic engagement.
Clackamas County was recognized during the conference with a NACo Achievement Award for its innovative housing program. The Clackamas County Coordinated Housing Access Improvement Program (CHA) provides a single door that assesses and refers people in need to all of the county’s housing resources. People in a housing crisis connect with a trained, compassionate CHA assessor who listens intently to their story, pinpointing immediate needs while drawing upon local resources to find the right program fit. People are also guided to problem solve, and may receive other social services referrals including to physical and mental health programs. As part of Clackamas County’s housing services programs, CHA has contributed to a 65% decrease in homelessness from 2019 to 2023, during a period when homelessness increased nationally. View all the award recipients on the NACo website.
The NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing unveiled its policy priorities to improve mental health in its final report on Saturday, July 13, at the annual conference. Members of the commission, including AOC Executive Director Gina Nikkel, who had been meeting and examining the issue over the past 18 months, discussed the report during the opening general session. The commission’s policy priorities include amending exclusionary policies under Medicaid, enhancing local crisis response systems, strengthening the mental health workforce, and enforcing mental health parity. “Counties play an integral part in addressing our nation’s mental health and wellbeing crisis,” said Nikkel. “I’m excited about having enough dollars and support across the federal, state, and local governments to build the full continuum of care so people have access to it.”
James Gore, NACo’s new president, announced presidential appointments during the conference. Several Oregon leaders were among those appointed to key roles in national policy making. Their involvement ensures that the unique perspectives and needs of Oregon counties are represented in solving problems that impact communities across the nation.
The following members were appointed to leadership positions in NACo committees for the 2024-2025 presidential year:
Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas
- Transportation Steering Committee
Clackamas County Commissioner Martha Schrader
- Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee
- International Economic Development Task Force
- Membership Standing Committee
Crook County Commissioner Susan Hermreck
- Public Lands Steering Committee, Land Management Subcommittee
Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang
- Public Lands Steering Committee, Payments Subcommittee
Multnomah County Commissioner Lori Stegmann
- Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee
Umatilla County Commissioner John Shafer
- Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee, Law Enforcement Subcommittee
Union County Commissioner Paul Anderes
- Public Lands Steering Committee, Land Management Subcommittee
Washington County Commissioner Nafisa Fai
- Transportation Steering Committee
Contributed by: Erin Good | Communications Coordinator
Jul 25, 2024 | Health & Human Services
NACo commission’s federal-county call to action
The NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing unveiled its final report at the annual conference in Tampa, Fla. Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Executive Director Gina Nikkel served as a member of the commission. The report’s four federal policy priorities (plus two) align with AOC’s 2025 state legislative priorities and would increase access to quality local behavioral health services in every Oregon county. The report concludes with a matching call to action for county policy makers, outlining steps to lay the necessary groundwork in anticipation of successful advocacy in Washington, D.C.
Polk County Public Health Director Dr. Naomi Adeline-Biggs named new state public health division director
Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Director Sejal Hathi announced her appointment of Dr. Naomi Adeline-Biggs as OHA’s Public Health Division Director, effective Aug. 19. Along with an impressive history of practice and leadership abroad, Adeline-Biggs is the sitting chair of the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials. She was also a dynamic local public health presenter at the most recent AOC County College held in 2023.
The Oregon Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) publishes summary of county deflection program applications
In July, the CJC released a comprehensive summary of county deflection program applications. Twenty-seven Oregon counties will be standing up a new program, either individually or in partnership with a neighboring county. Marion County will use the new funds to bolster its deflection program which began in 2018. The new programs will go live on different schedules, starting in July and going through January 2025. Additional CJC materials on the deflection program, including a FAQ, can be found on the program webpage.
Contributed by: Jessica Pratt | Legislative Affairs Manager
May 24, 2024 | AOC Business Partner, NACo
Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: National Association of Counties
We would like to acknowledge and congratulate the January NACo Leadership Academy graduates from Oregon. This is the largest cohort of Oregon counties to date – 37 graduates! 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.
Aaron Hartman, Director, Klamath County
Alisa Zastoupil, Health Program Supervisor-EH and PHEP, Marion County
Alisha Lundgren, Assistant Director of Public Health, Umatilla County
Amy Pearson, DD Supervisor, Umatilla County
Anne Oscilia, Clinical Supervisor, Marion County
Ben Weaver, Detective Sergeant, Jackson County
Bill Lee, IT Director, Baker County (CLA)
Brooke Skidmore, Rural Section Supervisor, Marion County
Bryan Robb, Senior Planner, Washington County
Chrissy Zaugg, Chief Deputy Clerk, Wasco County
Debbie Wells, Division Director, Marion County
Erin Good, Communications Coordinator, Association of Oregon Counties
Fiona Ferguson, HR Director, Wasco County
Haley Huffman, Administrative Manager, Klamath County
Heidi Gaither, Director, Klamath County
Jaime Preston, Deputy Director, Wasco County
Jesus Murillo, IMET Sergeant, Jackson County
John Kubasak, Community Relations Coordinator, Marion County
Kerry Savage, Assessor, Baker County
Krista Appleby, Assistant Building Official, Deschutes County
Linda Miller, Director of Human Resources, Wasco County
Lola Lopez, Veterans Service Coordinator, Umatilla County
McKenzie Bowey, GIS Cartographer, Umatilla County
Naomi Hudkins, Clinical Supervisor, Marion County
Nina Fox, Technology Services Manager – Business Services Division, Lane County
Paula Davis, Administration Services Manager, Lane County
Robb Witters, Residential Appraisal Section Supervisor, Marion County
Robert Hughes, Facilities Manager, Wasco County
Robert Sayler, Building Inspector III, Klamath County
Ryan Dickerson, Division Chief – Training, Jackson County
Sandra Cox, Administrative Manager, Klamath County
Shannon Deutschman, Data Systems Specialist, Jackson County
Shayla Maki, Finance Manager, Wasco County
Stacie Smith, Accounting Analyst, Lane County
Steve Dennison, Deschutes County Clerk, Deschutes County
William Tester, Quality Improvement Facilitator, Marion County
Zach Evans, Administrative & Finance Manager, Lane County
(Note: CLA = Cybersecurity Leadership Academy graduate)
Invest in your team with Leadership Training!
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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.
Feb 29, 2024 | AOC News
Over thirty Oregon county officials and representatives of the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) joined approximately 2,000 attendees from across the country in February at the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.
President Joe Biden headlined the conference, along with cabinet secretaries, leads of federal agencies, representatives from Capitol Hill, private sector partners and senior administration staff. Conference attendees shaped NACo’s legislative agenda, received updates on key federal policies, and advocated for county priorities on Capitol Hill.
President Danielle Bethell commented, “this conference is a great opportunity for commissioners to network, not just with our Oregon peers, but our peers across the nation, and develop intergovernmental partnerships with federal officials on issues important to Oregon counties. This year’s conference offered what felt like more of an opportunity to really dig into important issues to Oregon, together. I really enjoyed the time spent with those who attended and look forward to next year.”
During the conference, the Oregon delegation engaged in NACo policy discussions through NACo’s policy steering committee process, as well as breakout sessions, and general sessions, hearing from a range of speakers in the federal government. Issues covered included disaster preparedness and management, administering the 2024 election, artificial intelligence (AI), housing affordability, behavioral health and justice, and more.
“Federal policies often have direct and long-lasting impacts on county governments and our residents,” said NACo President Mary Jo McGuire. “NACo’s Legislative Conference is an essential opportunity to advocate for county priorities and strengthen intergovernmental partnerships that help our communities move forward together.”
AOC members also met with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden to advocate for AOC policy priorities. Executive Director Gina Nikkel expressed appreciation for Wyden’s partnership and engagement with counties. “I am grateful for Wyden’s openness and availability to connect with AOC membership on a variety of county issues.”
County officials across Oregon found meaning in the program content, as well as the networking opportunities. First Vice President John Shafer encourages commissioners and other county leaders to attend the conference. “So many incredible things happened. From seeing a sitting president to discussing rural issues to visiting the Capitol, the conference offers opportunities to effect change at the federal level that benefits every county.”
For more details about the 2024 NACo Legislative Conference, click here.
Contributed by: Erin Good | communications coordinator
