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 actions taken during the meeting included: approval of the Westport Sewer District budget by the budget committee; a two‑year agreement to lease up to 12 jail beds to Benton County (contract C9014); acceptance of deeds and vacation of a portion of F Street in John Day; adoption of Ordinance 25‑02 to add clear and objective housing standards to the county code; and proclamations recognizing National Maritime Day and Emergency Medical Services Week.

Sheriff Paul Williams outlined the jail‑bed agreement in the meeting and characterized it as revenue positive for the county: “Law enforcement is not a profit center, but this time, we get to be a profit center,” he said, explaining the county will bill Benton County for prescriptions and outside medical costs separately. County Manager Joe Gullen thanked staff and the board for navigating a budget under “considerable uncertainty” while preserving contingency and reserve policies.

Several members of the budget committee and board pressed staff for clearer labels on grant funding so future budgets and public discussions will distinguish one‑time grant carryover from ongoing program funding. Staff described a planned reorganization that will convert the public health director role into a health and human services director and combine public health with juvenile services, social services and behavioral health to capture efficiencies while maintaining service levels.

During public comment segments and staff presentations, emergency medical services providers urged sustained investment in prehospital care. Paramedic Amazing Rain told commissioners that rural operating conditions make long ground transports and weather disruptions common on the North Coast and called attention to “the critical underfunding of 911 ambulance services,” calling for recognition of EMS as an essential public‑safety service.

The meeting record shows the budget committee and board advancing an agenda that both preserves structural reserves and separates new or one‑time revenue streams into dedicated funds to improve tracking and reporting. The board directed staff to return with midyear updates and to continue monitoring state and federal funding shifts.

Votes at a glance - Westport Sewer District budgets: approved by the budget committee (motion moved/seconded; voice vote). - Sheriff salary and district attorney stipend: approved (motion passed by voice vote during the countywide budget session). - Board of County Commissioners stipends: approved (motion passed by voice vote). - 2025–26 county budget and tax levies: approved by the budget committee (motion passed by voice vote). The meeting transcript records a local option (fairgrounds) rate of 0.07 per $1,000 and a total levy for bonded indebtedness of $1,605,426; the adopted budget document contains the consolidated tax rate figure. - Contract C9014: Two‑year jail‑bed lease with Benton County (up to 12 beds): approved; contract amount and annual rate recorded in contract file (motion passed by voice vote). - Vacation of a portion of F Street (John Day area): approved; deeds of dedication were signed by petitioners and accepted by the county (motion passed by voice vote). - Ordinance 25‑02 (clear-and-objective housing standards): adopted on second reading (motion passed by voice vote). - Proclamations: National Maritime Day (05/22/2025) and Emergency Medical Services Week (05/18–05/24/2025) were proclaimed (motions passed by voice votes).

What’s next Staff will implement the budget and continue to return to the board with required midyear updates, grant reconciliations, and any necessary supplemental budget requests if state or federal funding amounts change. The Benton County jail arrangement will be implemented under the executed contract, and land‑use staff will finalize the F Street vacation by recording the accepted deeds.

Officials stressed that while the budget preserves contingency and reserves, staff and board members remain focused on the impact of external revenue volatility on key programs — notably public health, behavioral health, housing assistance and emergency services.