Clatsop County adopts 2025–26 budget, sets tax levies; board approves jail‑bed lease, ordinances and proclamations

Clatsop County officials approved the county’s 2025–26 budget and related tax levies during a hybrid session and handled several routine but consequential items including a two‑year jail‑bed lease with Benton County, an F Street vacation, adoption of an ordinance with clear-and-objective housing standards, and proclamations observing National Maritime Day and Emergency Medical Services Week.

Budget committee and commission deliberations focused on revenue uncertainty from state and federal sources and program reorganizations in public health. Staff repeatedly warned that several federal and state funding streams remain uncertain and that some line items reflect one‑time grant carryovers rather than ongoing revenue. County staff said several grant-funded items — including housing assistance pass‑through funds and opioid settlement proceeds — have been moved into distinct funds for transparency and future reporting.

The committee approved the proposed budget and the associated tax levies in a recorded motion at the meeting. The motion as read at the meeting set a local option (fairgrounds) rate of 0.07 per $1,000 and recorded a total levy for bonded indebtedness of $1,605,426; the full combined property tax rate figure is recorded in the adopted budget document. The motion passed by voice vote; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Other formal…