Board approves lease modification to add caretaker housing at Port of Tillamook Bay for canine rescue

The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners approved Modification No. 4 to Personal Services Agreement No. 4558 on June 25 to add a structure at the Port of Tillamook Bay Industrial Park that will be used as on‑site, part‑time caretaker housing for the county’s K‑9 rescue shelter.

Isabelle Gilder, administrative assistant, said the modification amends a five‑year lease that allows the canine rescue group to operate a temporary shelter on roughly one acre near the Officers Mess Hall at the industrial park. The new structure is a purchased 12‑by‑40 unit from Yamhill County that the shelter plans to relocate to the port and convert for caretaker use.

Gilder said K‑9 Rescue secured funding from a foundation (transcript: “Lauren e Parks Foundation”) to purchase the structure and that the organization is working with veterans’ care services to identify a suitable caretaker. The board noted that housing as part of compensation would help recruitment and retention for the part‑time position; county staff said a separate, formal lease for the caretaker would be negotiated separately and is not part of this modification.

Commissioners described the arrangement as similar to park‑host housing and said on‑site staffing would benefit operations and convenience for officers dropping off animals. The motion to approve the modification passed by voice vote with no recorded dissent.