Lane County recognizes Greg Rickoff; officials highlight deflection program graduations and elections office award

The Lane County Board of Commissioners used part of Tuesday’s meeting to recognize staff accomplishments and programs tied to public safety and elections work, honoring Assistant County Administrator Greg Rickoff and the county elections team.

County leaders said Greg Rickoff, who also serves as director of Community Justice and Rehabilitation Services, was named the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) outstanding public employee and was surprised at an LCOG dinner in Cottage Grove. Rickoff spoke briefly and described the recognition as humbling. Commissioners praised his mediation and dispute-resolution background and his role in complex personnel and program work.

Rickoff and several commissioners highlighted the county’s ‘‘deflection’’ program, which they described as a post-Measure 110 initiative intended to connect people who commit lower-level offenses to services rather than traditional prosecution. Rickoff said seven individuals recently graduated from the program after participating for between ‘‘90 to 120 days,’’ and he described the program as a partnership that includes the district attorney’s office, court staff and law enforcement. He said the program was established by the legislature and funded by the state; he also told the board that other counties are exploring similar approaches while noting Lane County’s particular implementation.

Commissioners who spoke at the dais praised Rickoff’s role in those collaborative efforts. ‘‘He has this incredible ability to work with people particularly through really challenging situations and come out the other side even better,’’ one commissioner said, calling Rickoff a ‘‘go-to person’’ in the organization.

County staff also announced that the Lane County elections office received LCOG’s outstanding intergovernmental team award for its work on transparency, accountability and customer service during a challenging election year. Elections staff members present included Rebecca Baker, elections manager, and Lauren Blythe, director of operations; the board noted other staff and volunteers by name, and the packet listed Rebecca Baker, Julia Barth, Tasha Brown, Carrie Fountain, Ryan Lee, Elise Sindelar Hodges and former county clerk Dina Dawson as recognized.

Rebecca Baker told the board the team was participating remotely and thanked the county. Board members praised the elections office and noted an upcoming May election and the public resources for monitoring elections processes.

No formal action was required for the recognitions. Commissioners and staff said the items were intended to highlight internal achievements and to underscore the county’s work on programs designed to reduce recidivism and improve public trust in government services.