2024-34-Minutes for Meeting January 19,2024 Recorded 2/2/2024DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Friday, January 19, 2024 8:00 am
This meeting will be held virtually.
Members of the public may access the meeting
using this link: https://bit.ly/3WDZYOx
Or call (253) 205-0468
Webinar ID: 879 4809 6174
Passcode: 156736
1. Introductions - Patti Adair, Chair
2. Commissioner Updates
3. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
4. Department Updates on Priority Bills
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2024-34
Steve Dennison, County Clerk 02/02/2024 4:45:15 PM
Commissioners' Journal
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DESCHUTES COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
8:00 AM FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024
ZOOM MEETING
A legislative work session was held on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom Virtual
Meeting Platform.
Deschutes County Attendance:
x
Commissioner Patti Adair, Chair
x
Nick Lelack, County Administrator
x
Commissioner Anthony DeBone, Vice Chair
x
Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
x
Commissioner Phil Chang
x
Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
x
Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
x
Tim Brownell, Director Solid Waste
x
Sara Crosswhite, Director 9-1-1
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
x
Chris Doty, Director Road Department
x
David Doyle, Legal Counsel
Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace
x
Janice Garceau, Director Health Services
Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
x
Peter Gutowsky, Director Community
Development
x
Geoff Hinds, Director Fair & Expo
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Kathleen Hinman, Director Human
Resources
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Deevy Holcomb, Director Community
Justice
Bill Kuhn, Treasurer
Scot Langton, Assessor
Keith MacNamara, Manager Veteran's
Services
Tania Mahood, Director Information
Technology
x
Kevin Moriarty, Forester
Shane Nelson, Sheriff
x
Elizabeth Pape, Internal Auditor
x
Lee Randall, Director Facilities
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Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 19, 2024
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x
Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program
Manager
Holly Harris, Director Behavioral Health
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Heather Kaisner,
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Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
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Angie Powers, Administrative Assistant
Others Present:
x
Doug Riggs, Director NW Policy Advocates
1. Introductions
Chair Adair called the meeting to order at 8:01 a.m.
2. Commissioner Updates
Commissioner DeBone shared that he may travel to Salem next Friday. His top
priorities this legislative session are Ballot Measure 110 reform and housing
production.
Commissioner Chang shared that legislative concepts related to ODF wildfire
suppression funding are rapidly evolving. He recently met online with Commissioner
Perkins (Hood River County) and Sen. Golden and learned that Sen Lieber's $10/tax
lot statewide proposal has been dropped. This would have brought in close to $20
million. Sen. Golden expressed concern that large out of state real estate investors
would get a tax break from Sen. Lieber's proposal and feels this needs to be
addressed prior to moving forward with determining revenue mechanisms.
3. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs shared that we are 17 days away from the start of the short 35-day
session which begins on February 5. He anticipates there to be 320 to 350 bills in
total. During Legislative Days, many Legislative Concepts (LCs) are published with an
LC number but no bill number. Significant leadership changes will likely take place
but not until the end of the session or after the session. Two significant themes of
this session are BM110 reform and housing/homelessness. There will be significant
investments in housing/homelessness and funding for continuing operations.
Another theme of this session includes individual budget items. Despite the record
revenue forecast, the Ways and Means committee advocates putting money into the
rainy -day fund and not spending. The session will move very quickly.
4. Department Updates on Priorities
Chair Adair asked Doug if there will be any funding towards juniper removal
projects. Doug responded that soil and water conservation districts have received
2024 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
JANUARY 19, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 5
their allocations from last year, and we won't likely see any additional funding, aside
from funding for monitoring.
Erik Kropp shared that Rick Russell with Mountain View Community Development
has a conceptual design for an RV park. He is asking the state for $4 million and is
asking the County to support his request. He has met with the local delegation and
is pitching his concept. Responding to Chair Adair, Erik said that Rick is asking for
$3.98 million for Phase I (RV sites - operational) and an additional $2.5 million for
Phase II (completion of community spaces), but he will get clarification from Rick on
funding requests for Phases I and II and get back to Chair Adair.
Commissioner Chang voiced his support for Rick's project, and asked Doug if there
might be opportunities within the housing and homelessness package for funding
his project. Doug said that there are three separate housing/homelessness
packages:
• LC19 is the Governor's package and is a $400 million catchall bill.
Funding for shelter operations and opportunities for housing
infrastructure are included in this package.
• LC40 is a Senate Housing Committee bill focused on middle income
housing.
• A third is a House package sponsored by Rep. Dexter.
Commissioner DeBone shared his frustrations with the limitations in the County's
ability to build housing infrastructure due to restrictions from the land use system.
He shared that the City of Redmond's CORE3 and Oasis village are in support of Rick
Russell's proposal. The City of Redmond is asking the state for $1.8 million to
complete 21' street. In addition, the Heart of Oregon Corp has a capital funding
request for its campus.
Tom Kuhn shared some of his department's priorities, both of which are related to
Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The first is LC15, Oregon EMS Modernization.
The state EMS system is disorganized and not uniform. Over a period of 5 to 6 years,
the hope is to improve the structure of the organization. This may have impacts on
our local Ambulance Service Area standards and may address EMS workforce
issues. The second item he's watching closely is Lane County's BM110 Improvement
Proposal which provides Public Health (PH) and Behavioral Health (BH) timely access
to ambulance transport data, including alerts to county staff for suspected
overdoses. Janice shared that our County already collaborates with EMS and the
local hospital through its toxicology reports, but she supports statewide legislation.
Heather Kaisner said that real time data will assist with targeted outreach and
prevention strategies.
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JANUARY 19, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 5
Chair Adair thanked Chris Doty and the Road Department for their excellent work in
taking care of the roads during this latest weather event.
Janice is tracking LC115 (HB4092), sponsored by Rep. Nosse. This bill addresses the
administrative burden affecting the BH workforce and costs of the BH workforce
and system. Another bill, sponsored by Rep. Nosse and AOCHP is a $7.5 million
package to fund Aid and Assist at a level necessary to cover the cost. Currently, the
hospital system is clogged with the Aid and Assist population. Another important
topic is BM110 reform, and ensuring there are meaningful resources attached to do
the work if they recriminalize low level possession.
Related to BM110 reform, Doug shared that Republicans have put forth a detailed
plan. There is some alignment with the addiction committee's plan, such as
investment in treatment and resources for treatment service's, and expungement
after completion of treatment. An area of disagreement lies in what level of
misdemeanor is provided. Republicans advocate for misdemeanor A and the
addiction committee advocates for a misdemeanor C. He added that the original
BM110 advocates are an active coalition who are aggressively lobbying for no
changes whatsoever to BM 110. This group is well -organized and well -funded.
The Republican proposal eliminates the OHA public advisory body and gives all
authority to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission. This body is a research and
reporting organization rather than an action organization. Annaliese Dolph leads
this commission and knows the subject matter well. Janice expressed confidence in
her leadership, and hopes they find meaningful ways to include input from those
with lived experience in the discussion.
Heather Kaisner asked Doug if funding for prevention will be in the BM110 reform
packages. He responded there are three unallocated pots of money available for BH
programs. It is predicted that the governor will announce BH funding packages for
"shovel -ready" packages in early February. He added there is a lack of funding for
substance abuse treatment for youth and adolescents. Commissioner Adair
referenced a recent OPB article by Emily Green, which states that youth drug
prevention programs are inadequate and not backed by science.
Responding to Chair Adair, Sara Crosswhite shared that 911 is receiving fewer calls,
but the type of calls coming in are more challenging. Additional behavioral health
resources are needed.
Kristie Bollinger shared that a bill sponsored by Sen. Conrad relates to outlining new
procedures for counties to process surplus proceeds from tax foreclosed
properties. She testified last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee on current
procedures. Doug has this on his watch list.
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JANUARY 19, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 5
Tim Brownell provided a brief update on siting for the new landfill. He anticipates
the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to deliberate and determine the new site in
March or April.
Chris Doty briefly discussed two bills related to permit fee authority for road
departments to charge utility companies fees for plan review and inspection when
locating utilities in the road rights of way. These are gaining some momentum.
Deevy Holcomb is closely watching BM110 repeal/reform. Juvenile Community
Justice is watching for any prevention and intervention as part of BM110 reform.
Doug shared that an AOC youth behavioral health summit takes place today in
Salem. He again highlighted the quick turnaround time, in that bills have only eight
days to be heard, have a work session, and pass out of the committee of origin. He
urged department heads and commissioners to reach out to himself, Jen Patterson
and County Administration as LCs are assigned bill numbers so that they may add
these to the bill tracker.
Jen Patterson provided the dates for which legislators are invited to attend weekly
legislative updates: January 26, February 9 and February 23.
Nick advised that various County departments and offices are operating under
variable hours due to the current weather conditions.
Next Meeting: The next virtual legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, January
26 at 8:00 a.m.
Adjourn: Chair Adair adjourned the meeting at 8:57 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by:
SIG i �U�Ji/1 1•
Angie veers dministrative Assistant
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