Washington County work session reviews Access and Opportunity resolution; consultants report widespread federal funding losses for local nonprofits

At a Washington County Board of Commissioners work session, commissioners and staff reviewed proposed edits to an "Access and Opportunity" resolution and heard consultant summaries showing local community-based organizations reporting delays or elimination of federal funding and county employees reporting anxiety and a desire for concrete next steps.

The consultants, Jonelle Bell and Lucy Hamer of Espousal Strategies, summarized results from community and staff listening sessions and an anonymous survey of community-based organizations (CBOs). Lucy Hamer said, "All respondents indicated that they have had federal funding that is delayed or eliminated." The consultants presented a breakdown of expected impacts: 23% of respondents reported minor impacts (cash-flow adjustments but programs likely continuing), about 31% reported moderate impacts (delays to program activities or staffing uncertainty), and 46% anticipated significant impacts, defined as inability to start programs or likely layoffs or furloughs.

The county's administrator described the packet item labeled "draft in form" as a placeholder so legal review and work-session edits could be completed and an updated resolution could be posted in time for the Board's evening meeting. Commissioners discussed a set of proposed editorial changes that staff and consultants had developed for the resolution. Among the edits summarized during the work session were: replacing the phrase "most vulnerable and underserved" with "individuals" in a whereas clause; changing the word "identity" to "characteristics" in the definitions section; changing a legal-phrasing clause to read "as amended"; and incorporating a citation referenced in discussion as "6 59 a." County counsel indicated the revised version could be placed in the packet for the public meeting.

Consultants also summarized staff listening sessions. They reported two staff sessions with 39 and 24 participants respectively and said staff described feeling committed to the county's mission but in need of clearer direction and support. Consultants said staff frequently asked "what next?" and emphasized that many employees view a resolution as a step, not the full solution.

A commissioner announced an intent to propose at the public meeting an additional whereas affirming Oregon sanctuary protections and limiting use of local resources for federal immigration enforcement. County counsel and other commissioners debated whether legal guidance had been received about that suggested language and whether related privileged legal analysis should be discussed in executive session. Board members agreed the proposed amendment had been circulated to staff and asked that it be added to the packet for the evening if possible.

The board also set public-comment logistics for the evening meeting. The chair said there would be a special public-comment period focused on item G‑2 (the Access and Opportunity resolution). Individual comment will be limited to two minutes; the chair proposed a threshold (30 speakers) at which the board would consider additional limits or alternative accommodations. Clerk Moss reported 19 people were signed up at the time of the work session.

The county administrator and commissioners thanked Espousal Strategies and community participants for ongoing engagement. The chair said a revised draft was expected to be published into an updated packet before the evening meeting, where the board planned to consider adoption of the guiding principles (item G‑1) and the Access and Opportunity resolution (item G‑2). No formal vote on the resolution occurred during the work session.