County commissioner briefs Tigard council on budget cuts, MSTIP bonding and Clean Water Services review
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Washington County Commissioner Jason Snyder told Tigard leaders the county’s budget committee completed a tight budget that includes reductions in MSTIP and library funding, authorized bonding to advance MSTIP projects, and is pursuing a forensic review of Clean Water Services spending after concerns about executive travel and program culture.
Washington County Commissioner Jason Snyder updated the Tigard City Council on county priorities and budget actions on May 20, saying the county budget committee completed its work that day amid a broadly austere fiscal environment.
Snyder said both the county’s MSTIP (transportation) program and the Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) budget faced reductions roughly equivalent to general‑fund cuts; after accounting for a modest growth factor, he estimated net reductions in the range of about 13% in those programs. To keep priority MSTIP projects moving, the county authorized roughly $150 million in bonding to advance construction and service debt for the near term, he said.
Snyder addressed public questions about Clean Water Services (CWS), noting recent media coverage and board oversight actions. He said county commissioners are pursuing a forensic financial review and that the CWS CEO has resigned effective June 6. "What I'm really concerned about is what that says about the culture overall," Snyder said, and he urged forensic review of spending categories and executive practices.
On other county matters, Snyder said some Washington County child‑support enforcement functions that the county had been performing will revert to the state because the county can no longer absorb the cost. He said eight district‑attorney office staff roles were funded with one‑time money for a single year to bridge to a proposed public‑safety levy; if a future levy does not pass in subsequent years, those positions will be at risk.
Council members asked about courthouse funding and legislative requests; Snyder said local funds are ready for planning and the county is seeking the Oregon Judicial Department’s participation and state support. He also discussed supportive housing services (SHS) regional coordination, saying he did not expect a meaningful ballot measure ready for November and emphasized the need for clearer problem framing before pursuing a regional tax.
Snyder said he will continue visiting city councils in his district and offered to return to Tigard periodically to provide updates.