[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6132458,"mediaKeyId","5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd","parentId",5722172,"title","Commissioners authorize signings, send sanctuary clarification letter and direct recruitment for finance director","audioSeconds",2344,"startMs",3861735,"endMs",6206685,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd&start=3861&end=6206","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd/thumbnail_3861735.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6132458/Columbia-County/Oregon/Commissioners-authorize-signings-send-sanctuary-clarification-letter-and-direct-recruitment-for-finance-director","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132458-3c850d91c2d1b38c22433311153a14dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775326638&Signature=M6n1-RbJEeh64EOB1HJxrlQdEC~9iil3TliF5DeWYQcQgawgCeQGqwXdUWfBxXQi1KtfJyhvz1jnyjlzQNAfr8jgIOk-vCyXkRU9TOWrBxJI-CzaB3Ncde0ffyZlr2JpZgo6CaRcAAu05GeY-XvoOrfwJg7JKEqIbZpypzZHN5VtQBHiCz0xusHzMNXLVbOH0hAaQsLRN22Ox2qPgRNCd1gjswvCgF4B6PBQe4eg7111Z4bu-m1MGGm4oGjFKZN1D4laO0p9l6vd~ubJazlCj7mT80BdfRnc34zvcrCzkGEwxwu5ngXv055H6sF9PrzDQTzuNkVSbjEj6plMd8ARrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Columbia County, OR","date","2025-09-03T00:00:00Z","article","After an executive session held under Oregon public‑meeting law, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners returned to open session and recorded several administrative actions on Sept. 3.

The board approved authorizing Sarah Hansen to sign contract C126‑2025 (motion recorded and approved by voice). Commissioners also voted to authorize the county’s signing of a letter to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and the U.S. Attorney General (named in the meeting as Pam Bondi) concerning a sanctuary clarification; board members recorded agreement on the motion.

On personnel, the board directed staff to post the finance director position with a revised job description (the position was renamed to remove taxation language after tax functions moved to the assessor’s office), authorized advertising for the role and discussed paying out‑of‑class/interim compensation to cover additional duties during the vacancy. The board instructed staff to proceed with advertising the vacancy and to gather comparative vendor information on out‑of‑class compensation and recruitment services.

The meeting also included a lengthy executive session announced under ORS 192.660(2)(h) and (b) to consult with counsel about litigation and to receive labor‑negotiation deliberations; the chair noted no action was taken during executive session.

Why it matters: the board’s authorizations delegate signature authority for a county contract, formalize a county correspondence on sanctuary policy to state and federal officials, and initiate recruitment steps for a key finance position that will affect county fiscal management. Interim compensation and vendor review for recruitment were approved to support continuity while the position is filled.

Sources: motions and votes recorded in the Sept. 3 meeting; statutory citation for the executive session was made on the record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia County Commissioners Work Session - September 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Following an executive session, the board authorized a county contract (C126‑2025) to be signed by Sarah Hansen, directed staff to send a letter to Oregon and U.S. attorneys general on sanctuary clarification, and authorized advertising for a replacement finance director and interim pay arrangements.","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},6132463,"County accepts veterans supplemental award; board approves budget supplement and contract amendment with Community Action Team",173,3586911,3760720,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd&start=3586&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd/thumbnail_3586911.jpg","/articles/6132463/Columbia-County/Oregon/County-accepts-veterans-supplemental-award-board-approves-budget-supplement-and-contract-amendment-with-Community-Action-Team","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132463-9c5c03e8c8e5f6e32c973d787895bd06/orig.mp4?Expires=1775326638&Signature=NJQ5Qa6foESqFfr8lLlw1Dxg7MF07RzFm62kHo~ciBrhIl4X~zb4F9optPZfU4nF~VmBffRDRPO5RVZ4PSsY4mc7WGk-bxQ~pgcTDHHxfOjaSN3FxiVqvX9vUFLmJ1PYBXNM3CqbJ-ZqH1HULvHkf6jaN-KvTE2PAvigNawHffyNgJpCQ~ZI25XaUPIUf3Ol-BVWkFkiXu-UlMX2~fpFoEt9AmC68aszeLMmvU1FlnsHwHd0XWYhccaetP5M89aLnyXzL5qq9Ri9Om-QNPMA-dlrEwaXDM8pYH6-916u55yAxM9VOr8EjvLJ8zOCrAdMHgp1slCO2ryv8vg-NP9~LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 3 Columbia County committee meeting, Lindsay Elder, finance assistant director, briefed commissioners on the county’s veterans supplemental award and associated budget and contract actions.

Elder said the county received notice of an award of $120,482 that, combined with unspent funds from the prior year and the county match, results in $203,102 available for veteran services in the current fiscal year. The award is to be passed through to Community Action Team (CAT) less the county’s indirect costs.

Elder asked the board to approve three related actions: authorize the assistant finance director to sign the application; adopt a supplemental budget resolution to reallocate appropriations for veteran services (identified in the meeting as Resolution 57‑2025); and approve the 2025 amendment to the public‑services contract with Community Action Team (identified in the packet as C43‑2018‑B / 2025 amendment). Commissioners voted in favor of the application authorization, the supplemental budget resolution, and the contract amendment during the session.

Why it matters: the supplemental budget and contract amendment enable the county to accept and distribute state funding for veterans services this fiscal year. The funds are passed through to Community Action Team for service delivery, with county indirect costs deducted as described by finance staff.

Sources: presentation and motions recorded in the Sept. 3 committee meeting. The board voted to approve the three items; the recording does not include a detailed roll‑call tally, but chairs and commissioners voiced approval during the session.","Columbia County finance staff reported a veterans services award of $120,482; combined with prior carryover and the county match the total program revenue for the year is $203,102. The board approved the application, a supplemental budget resolution and an amendment to the public‑services contract with Community Action Team to pass funds through.",{"_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},6132468,"County, city discuss Halloween event permit, porta‑potty placement and parking rules",498,3061349,3560000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd&start=3061&end=3560","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd/thumbnail_3061349.jpg","/articles/6132468/Columbia-County/Oregon/County-city-discuss-Halloween-event-permit-portapotty-placement-and-parking-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132468-ca4dc7ffd7519709775ffbec89768dc1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775326638&Signature=iLu~6OsmKiVfiYvdwR8kC-1pEg6Ls4vbkbWJKfRqhhzMJnvQdsPu1SsRvCTGfuRM2NyM8L4keLaJPZjg5KZzB2b5lfdjWF1PbhUkktpbEZPYxhDWog3vMTeQRbOUOYbfhIwowaDhnCFyJwgQT~vSXQW~Eawrz4Njtb2fVkowqfeQwM1-B4C2gpeXhAM9ZtC~Rm6mU2rt1nrm7ADdqVoQhnpjqrU6Lj5TJRtXTr8avAGSRdQQ4VasTrFDvNj3jYlO3HVKuLkfMbIAHExNV-hGrU9N-pG~KZz6MZp8MQvDJmVXKgHq7Al~OpIVehJ3U~l3FKvWdGSbVF4OsJKe~2nYNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 3 committee meeting Columbia County staff presented a draft special‑event permit for upcoming Halloween activities that the city requested. The draft includes requirements on restroom availability and maintenance, hours that public access must remain open, and limits on reserved parking.

Ed, presenting the draft, said the permit is similar to last year’s with added provisions about restrooms: porta‑potties must be maintained in a clean, sanitary condition and be unlocked during events and for at least one hour before or after each event day. The draft originally prohibited locating porta‑potties on county property; after discussion Ed said he would remove that prohibition and revise the text to refer to the county facility and plaza areas more precisely.

Commissioners and staff discussed equivalently practical issues: if porta‑potties are not available near the courthouse, people may seek the courthouse restrooms during weekdays; visual impact for the main plaza and whether units should be placed out of prominent sightlines; and signage to direct event visitors to restrooms. The draft also requires the North Plaza Road and Strand Street corridor between Saint Helens Street and North Plaza Road to remain open for pedestrian and vehicular traffic Monday–Friday between 6 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., that crosswalks not be blocked, and that visitor and employee lot access remain open. The permit would allow no more than five reserved visitor‑lot spaces and would require all event materials be cleared from county lots by specified morning and by 11:59 p.m. on the final day of the permit.

Ed said he would make the requested edits and send the revised permit to the city for signature.

Why it matters: the permit governs public access, restroom availability and parking during a high‑use community event that draws people into the downtown/courthouse area. Clarifying where porta‑potties may be located and how restrooms are maintained was the principal issue discussed; staff will finalize location language with the city.

Sources: presentation and discussion by county staff at the Sept. 3 committee meeting. The board did not take final action to adopt a county policy change during the session.","County staff reviewed a draft Halloween event permit with the city that includes restroom maintenance and parking limits; staff will remove an absolute prohibition on placing porta‑potties on county property and will send the revised permit to the city for signature.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6132472,"County reports rise in dump‑site cases and expands sharps exchange with fire districts",688,1402015,2090385,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd&start=1402&end=2090","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd/thumbnail_1402015.jpg","/articles/6132472/Columbia-County/Oregon/County-reports-rise-in-dumpsite-cases-and-expands-sharps-exchange-with-fire-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132472-df4b5316c61e47e1687ce889f2597e47/orig.mp4?Expires=1775326638&Signature=o9hCo~EPLkPKpad2sj9UJzsbGb~9p5oOUjFAYCKVHzttEuXyqxPuXAdRQqANpXNRG5E6ybjnYbYSczMcS7jKNayi0iP7pUI4JkT-7ZdebNRfipmrR911sEuurPlUCFnBc9FQnF2ejjVoOaDA-u43ok-mR~fbPjYt8uynbbaxhptpzjngqZGGUbKw6m5lJe7sqLH0rLIknMBGCj0LFWvodjMnbv8MLGDuN~c8eHlGBVkIPbTD53yLoPo6f97dzIY8gA48LR3AdudjhESPmfhxAXrF0d2vxY-40dOI6IDW7Z1P-m-hpWwDnefM3sGOyNhRtxscsZSE2iBmwhH0FLq3fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Sept. 3 Columbia County committee meeting, Land Development Services staff told commissioners that code‑compliance and anti‑dumping work is increasingly active and that the department’s sharps container exchange program has expanded with local fire districts.

“ This year, we're at 64 dump stopper cases,” Land Development Services staff reported, noting that about half the dump‑site cases are initiated by county staff or other public‑works personnel who spot sites during routine work. Staff said their approach so far has emphasized field engagement—visiting properties, discussing cleanup with owners and offering short timelines rather than immediately issuing citations. “To date, I have not issued any citations for illegal dump sites,” a code compliance staff member said, describing repeated attempts to get cooperation before pursuing enforcement.

Staff described typical compliance outcomes: staff visit properties, sometimes find causes such as stolen garbage or family hardship, and often secure cleanup through voluntary agreements. For a subset of persistent properties (staff gave examples including a site on Cannon Road), staff said they have begun the public‑nuisance process and have coordinated with Public Works to remove debris using the solid‑waste fund.

On needles and public safety, code compliance staff described growing accumulations of used syringes along specific rural corridors (Pittsburgh Road between Robinette and Young was named as an example). The department runs a sharps container exchange program in partnership with several fire districts; one compliance staff member said he conducts “8 to 12 sharps container exchanges at the fire departments” annually and that exchanges are free to the public and fire personnel. Staff said some remote locations see very low volume and that new funding rules at the regional level may limit syringe distribution by public‑health programs.

Staff discussed operational precautions: investigators use puncture‑resistant gloves when sorting through dump bags and coordinate pickups with law enforcement and transfer‑station operations. Commissioners and staff discussed public outreach options to reduce expired approvals or abandoned sites, including a press release to remind property owners about expiring approvals and potential outreach on sharps disposal and container placement.

Why it matters: rising dump‑site reports and visible discarded needles create public‑safety and health concerns. Staff recommended continued partnerships with fire districts and sheriff’s deputies, and suggested exploring a dedicated cleanup account to avoid drawing on other operational funds.

Sources: Land Development Services staff briefing and exchange during the Sept. 3 committee meeting. No citations or fines were reported as issued during the period described.","Land Development Services told commissioners that ‘dumpstoppers’ complaints are rising (64 cases this year), staff are conducting field investigations without issuing fines in most cases, and the county’s sharps container exchange at fire stations is expanding though rural coverage remains limited.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6132476,"County hears Land Development Services update on aging code, permit volumes and staffing changes",2767,43245,2810760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd&start=43&end=2810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5722172-975a3cf741a1e7cdc458d57291b5f9bd/thumbnail_43245.jpg","/articles/6132476/Columbia-County/Oregon/County-hears-Land-Development-Services-update-on-aging-code-permit-volumes-and-staffing-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6132476-feef60ab4044a17281d34d372e8cd2c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775326638&Signature=BCh3s~0utnvLoelYLv7IuyRH8lYVhIHl~KH584g9KmCUxvDwBzxxVf2uKXfhRu2OFDwC3qIXO4QddXrz7FZg-0TxOyQDjwbxWq5TZ3Y4JLL2F~hN23YIFIv4NUdWfxBwZ8ImLur2QBu04qJJAHhijhvDxyYrMKKNwS0yrRNd9sEcyhmQs7f8n6vAKoqILSRLjEkUNFgiwZCsm4H4QrI8tELFx7eArePQPYpTMHfAty6RNABNTh1VVjaiuuRYj~mxZWeIW3sBE3n2DWUow5QihBKnE7OAyf7PbXjAI166eRDSon-WA2yCI2Ua3JtU4q2CYZcA6qO4d27hxfvuKfNBrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Sept. 3 Columbia County Board of Commissioners committee meeting, Land Development Services staff provided a consolidated department update covering planning and building activity, staffing and ongoing long‑range projects.

“ I gave you a little packet,” Land Development Services staff said, introducing four years of permit and application data compiled for the board. The staff briefing noted that the county’s zoning code dates to 1984 and that application of that code to contemporary development is a recurring challenge.

The presentation outlined several immediate and near‑term items: updating the zoning and subdivision/partition ordinances, modernizing outdated application forms (including making some forms fillable online), and continuing long‑range planning work tied to housing strategies. Staff said they intend to seek a technical assistance grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to support housekeeping updates to the county zoning ordinance and to compile a housing land inventory across the county’s cities.

On building operations, staff described changes from the State of Oregon Building Codes Division, which is releasing “state ready” plans stamped to current codes that can shorten local building plan reviews for simple projects (decks, shops, single‑family components). Staff also reported recent inspector certifications: one inspector earned special electrical inspector (SEI) credentials for small commercial projects and fire/life‑safety plan‑review qualifications; another gained residential electrical certification. The department said four staff now hold fire life‑safety and commercial plan‑review credentials.

Staff also described an operational change implemented in late May: a four‑day work week for building inspectors intended to consolidate site visits and reduce vehicle and complaint costs. “They love it. The contractors love it. The homeowners love it,” staff said, adding the schedule has reduced complaints and improved grouping of inspections.

Permit and application numbers were presented in multi‑year view: the building division issued 1,390 permits across the four‑year packet; planning applications this year were reported as 21 (compared with 215 in FY 2021–22, when a change in state rules prompted a surge in applications). Staff cautioned that counts vary by report type and that statutory timelines mean some active applications will be recorded in later fiscal summaries.

Staff also described procedural items in their work plan: updating intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with the cities of Scappoose and St. Helens, renewing a contract with Rogers Engineering for third‑party review services, continuing work on the county energy resilience plan, pursuing FEMA BIOC training for staff, and evaluating department fees against a 2018 fee study. The briefing noted continuing work on departmental forms, policies and procedures and a prospective departmental name change and consolidation of CPACs (citizen planning advisory committees) into a planning commission recommendation process.

Why it matters: staff emphasized that an antiquated code affects predictability and workload for applicants and reviewers; proposed housekeeping and code updates are presented as a way to reduce friction for housing‑related development and to align county practice with state standards.

Sources: remarks and slides from Land Development Services staff at the Sept. 3 committee meeting. No formal board action was taken on the code or grant items during this presentation.","At its Sept. 3 committee meeting, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners received a multi-part Land Development Services update on a 1984 zoning code, permit volumes, building‑plan changes, staffing certifications and long‑range projects including a DLCD technical assistance grant and housing-related zoning work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners authorize signings, send sanctuary clarification letter and direct recruitment for finance director

County accepts veterans supplemental award; board approves budget supplement and contract amendment with Community Action Team

County, city discuss Halloween event permit, porta‑potty placement and parking rules

County reports rise in dump‑site cases and expands sharps exchange with fire districts

County hears Land Development Services update on aging code, permit volumes and staffing changes