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County, city to split strategic-planning contract with COIC assistance; combined $50,000 set aside
Summary
Jefferson County and the city will pursue a joint strategic planning process with SSW Consulting and the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC). The county and city each tentatively committed $25,000 to the contract; COIC will provide staff time to reduce consulting costs.
Jefferson County commissioners and city councilors discussed and signaled support June 4 for a joint city–county strategic planning process to be carried out by SSW Consulting, with staff support from COIC (Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council).
County and city leaders said an initial SSW proposal was roughly $100,000. By coordinating outreach and using COIC staff for community engagement, officials reported they had pared the local cash contribution to a combined $50,000 — $25,000 from the county and $25,000 from the city.
Why it matters: Officials described the joint plan as a way to align geographic priorities and avoid contradictory policies at city and county levels while saving money through shared outreach. The contracted scope is intended to include large public outreach (senior centers, high‑schools, homeowners’ associations, large HOAs) and targeted stakeholder engagement. Commissioners said the product will identify items that both jurisdictions will implement together and items each will carry out independently.
Details from the meeting: - Partnership approach: COIC will provide staff labor to conduct many outreach elements (booths, senior-center visits, high‑school engagement) at no charge, reducing consultant hours and cost. - Funding: The city and county each have set aside $25,000 in their respective budgets; commissioners said they were comfortable with the $50,000 combined commitment after negotiating scope and COIC contributions. - Timeline & next steps: Staff said council and commission approval of an intergovernmental agreement will be needed; the next step is for county and city staff to finalize a contract to present for approval to each elected body.
No formal contract was signed at the June 4 meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue negotiating the scope and bring agreements forward for formal approval.
