[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6138210,"mediaKeyId","5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4","parentId",5592610,"title","Columbia County adopts C-PACE ordinance to enable third‑party clean‑energy loans","audioSeconds",158,"startMs",144000,"endMs",302000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4&start=144&end=302","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4/thumbnail_144000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138210/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-adopts-C-PACE-ordinance-to-enable-thirdparty-cleanenergy-loans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138210-eff3cf1698061afe383b4870b3594220/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391085&Signature=O62kH5TLA-HdSPvgPWkcV~dxUlD5MyB716-YOlDmBnmadxXLAdktcKh0XCyoWN2pi5ECaR0~28lG67U7V7gRGMeAYCQaXgpQ1HkQYqsQYKTFW5VRwhhQ93mz8Y~DrzIhxt2GnQ-YlzhU7PJUV7ywqd5h4VoVgG4~KKKJGIdAFuGPphjlVnLvXrwNsZ4PbvxAYTVMmbL4Nke0RMgNSTSgDLxsvSlL87zHn2qZ7nxaTtefhnBjCs80HN1PVguAaHmeFj21IJ8Pm1271vtZtAM2eRBdL42DZ7QmJ5phMqwSMxpcfWRsB~XHxIVpcDnT3v3T737JlD5I9gOY26oCpp5exg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia County, OR","date","2025-08-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2025‑3 on second reading Wednesday, allowing the county to opt into a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C‑PACE) loan program that will enable financing for energy efficiency, utility upgrades and seismic improvements on eligible commercial, multifamily and industrial properties.

Assistant County Counsel Edward McGlone explained the ordinance’s purpose before the vote: “The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a commercial property assessed clean energy loan program that would provide funding for multi family housing, commercial and industrial properties for utility improvements as well as seismic improvements.”

The ordinance, described in the reading as the “Columbia County C‑PACE ordinance,” does not create a county‑funded loan pool. McGlone told the board the county intends to “choose the option of operating it by facilitating loans from third parties rather than using the County loan funds,” and that staff are exchanging drafts of an intergovernmental agreement to govern program administration. He said a separate resolution setting out operational details will be presented to the board after the ordinance takes effect.

Commissioners moved and seconded adoption after the required second reading. There was no public testimony recorded during the ordinance portion of the meeting; the board voted in favor and the chair called the motion adopted. McGlone said the ordinance will not take effect for 90 days, giving staff time to finalize administrative documents; that 90‑day window would make the effective date Nov. 11, 2025.

By adopting the ordinance, Columbia County has authorized the local legal framework needed to participate in a C‑PACE program. McGlone noted the county will seek contractual or intergovernmental arrangements with a third‑party administrator (referred to in the hearing transcript as an IGA with “Colback”) to operate the program; the board will consider implementing documents and a resolution describing program mechanics before loans would begin.

Next steps recorded at the meeting: staff will continue to negotiate and finalize the IGA/administrative materials and present a resolution to the board with details about enrollment, eligible improvements and administrator responsibilities.

The ordinance was read by title on Aug. 13 and adopted on second reading; its effective date is 90 days after adoption unless otherwise amended by subsequent board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 2025‑3 on Wednesday to opt the county into a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program that will allow third‑party loans for energy and seismic upgrades on commercial, multifamily and industrial properties.","taxTitle","Columbia County, Oregon","taxId",52787,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138205,"Columbia County holds hearing on fee increases; staff to return corrected order for consent",257,291000,548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4&start=291&end=548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6138205/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-holds-hearing-on-fee-increases-staff-to-return-corrected-order-for-consent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138205-b82bcc3995059697ee78be2f5760577f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391085&Signature=DaDuuzeVaH0-jLqbbWJbT3baUiOOS0FeGN9xv7AErkvYlfTTKLe8KWLzsXIfPfsoO32-Ko~cogA7THA3RsJcyPWQMmAxoXWr6~mn6KwC8YSj9DJIaqG-JRX0bz9SsnYRAhUYzmw2V6yCN6Otei4H2Lacvw5i9NpEYwmECFio2iprAM~ZJaqAIxWufDK4CUBLYUJ8n2SbTgtL9NYAOph~2HyHPIsjdzWnS5JjVhSekPSNPDJlEnHWDM5uBWTG6vWz1KG2883s1qWAFW9TsIQftit-6BQnE9kgGEOtuPhyUKrr~EftY1bsK4~PUdj76PuV3Z4DlHuVm2D-K7FTgW7uHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners opened a public hearing Wednesday on Board Order 53‑2025, a staff proposal to adjust building‑inspection, planning and on‑site wastewater fees using the U.S. Consumer Price Index to account for inflation, with changes slated to take effect Sept. 1, 2025.

Susie Dahl, Land Development Services director in the Building Codes Division, summarized the proposal: “Today we have a hearing, is board order 53 Dash2025 with attached exhibit a, amending our decarbonization annual proposed fee increase as determined by the CPI US to account for inflation on all building, planning, and on‑site fee. Staff is recommending approval of board order 53 dash 20 25 in the matter of amending fee schedules for building structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, grading, and other miscellaneous permits under the building inspection program, on‑site wastewater program, and planning program fees effective 09/01/2025.”

No members of the public offered testimony during the hearing. County counsel noted one small correction to the order after the hearing and asked that staff be allowed to place the corrected order on next week’s consent agenda so the board could adopt it without returning to a full hearing.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about which fees were unchanged. Dahl said staff intentionally did not raise fees for home bakeries, Type‑1 home occupations and hardship home applications “so the people of the county” would have minimal impact and to help home bakery operators come into compliance. She also explained that some administrative and planning commission fees, and certain on‑site fees, are set by statute or by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and therefore could not be increased at the county’s discretion.

With no public testimony and the requested administrative correction noted on the record, the board closed the hearing and authorized staff (per counsel’s request) to return the corrected order on the consent agenda for formal approval.

If adopted as proposed, the fee changes would become effective Sept. 1, 2025; staff will present the corrected order for final approval on the consent agenda at a subsequent board meeting.","Columbia County held a public hearing Wednesday on Board Order 53‑2025, a CPI‑based adjustment to building, planning and on‑site wastewater fees scheduled to take effect Sept. 1, 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6138200,"Columbia County Transit to recruit part‑time driver after retirement",73,677000,750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4&start=677&end=750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5592610-07d9d8d9c66ff579037e9f04ceb78ac4/thumbnail_677000.jpg","/articles/6138200/Columbia-County/Oregon/Columbia-County-Transit-to-recruit-parttime-driver-after-retirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138200-791f90461b2014a0e74529c96da693e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775391085&Signature=g1eRgWH0f8UDXb29Tum6sp7vPPRHSsVxjkmrkoF~yHk7Gft9imRWdrD0sWvBY3~C6erakS7sYZNnI6K~WQKU6SHf-sn1sZZZbAbq7IrQXURgJSLpsVEDUjvGM1S-6adof2-dX18IEPktbA4~mTt5PN~Nvs0ccokU8vuPPgr05gjAVFy6D8au7eGcIvFaKHxUH7DtAX88Cg68amyCLrgVIDotYEvVJ27As9bmCI1iw5qtZMtM4x7En4YrmGRlS~x1hnkNZmzD2Qv3hYabb7mfOOCoNe4Tmn83YGLAblYcWt6nyn-dmpjquw3VPXBGSSh7dGEzUZcKvVn5iNpGn-qaoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia County Board of Commissioners approved a request Wednesday to open recruitment for a part‑time transit driver to replace an employee who retired.

Chris Wheatley, Transit Director, told the board: “I'm here to request open recruitment for part time driver.” He explained the vacancy followed a planned retirement that accelerated when the employee determined he could no longer continue working; the part‑time role is roughly 15–20 hours per week and covers medical trips including out‑of‑county trips to Portland and Longview.

Wheatley said the position is funded in the transit budget and not supported by the county general fund: “It's already there. Nothing's changing. It's not on the general fund.” He said the department is temporarily using a bus washer to cover the shifts but needs to hire to avoid pulling staff from other duties.

A commissioner moved to open recruitment, a second was recorded, and the board voted in favor. The action authorizes Human Resources to post the vacancy and begin hiring; Wheatley indicated he has applicants in mind who have expressed interest.

The board’s approval was limited to opening recruitment; no specific candidate was named and final hire will follow normal county hiring procedures and background checks. The position is budgeted at current appropriations and is expected to provide routine medical‑trip and regional service coverage once filled.","The Board approved opening recruitment for a part‑time transit driver position to replace a driver who retired; the position is budgeted and funded outside the general fund, and transit director Chris Wheatley said current staffing is temporarily covering duties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia County adopts C-PACE ordinance to enable third‑party clean‑energy loans

Columbia County holds hearing on fee increases; staff to return corrected order for consent

Columbia County Transit to recruit part‑time driver after retirement