Wasco County opts out of regional dispute-resolution grant process; University of Oregon to manage

The Wasco County Board of Commissioners reached a unanimous consensus to opt out of administering the biennial state dispute-resolution grant for the five-county region and asked the University of Oregon's law school to manage the application and award process on the county's behalf.

County staff explained that Wasco County had historically managed the regional RFP for the five-county region (Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Hood River and Wheeler) and bore most administrative costs. Staff reported that in 2023 the county opted out and the University of Oregon took over management, selecting 6 Rivers Mediation as the regional provider. County staff recommended repeating that approach for the current biennial cycle because no other providers have emerged in the region and Wasco County would again shoulder disproportionate administrative time.

Commissioners asked whether Wasco County would still have input if multiple applicants emerged; staff said the university would manage the RFP and review but that the county would provide a recommendation if local competition existed. Staff also clarified funding flows were uncertain'it might be a direct state payment to 6 Rivers or routed through the county; finance staff said they would verify the accounting treatment. The county's decision does not preclude the county from later opting back in if more providers appear.

The board recorded unanimous consensus to opt out and to use the University of Oregon to run the RFP and award process for the dispute-resolution grant in this cycle.