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Washington County, Beaverton and Tigard launch technical study of urban services in unincorporated areas
Summary
The county and partner cities described a year-long technical Urban Services Framework study focused on urban unincorporated areas, fiscal and service analyses, and three scenario types (status quo, boundary changes, alternative funding). Staff cautioned that the exercise is technical and not a final policy action.
Washington County and the cities of Beaverton and Tigard presented the scope and timeline on April 22 for a technical Urban Services Framework study examining how urban services are provided in the county’s urban unincorporated areas.
Erin Wardell, assistant director of the Department of Land Use and Transportation (LUT), introduced the project and noted the study is a technical exercise intended to produce findings for elected officials and service providers to consider. Consultants Echo Northwest and Kimley‑Horn will analyze existing infrastructure and service assets, fiscal and legal implications, and produce case-study analyses for selected subareas.
Consultant leads Becky Hewitt and James Kim outlined the project scope, which will inventory assets and services, compare costs and revenues, and test three scenario types: (1) status quo (no change), (2) boundary changes (adjust who provides services), and (3) alternative funding (new taxes/fees or service districts without boundary changes). The study will use a set of six case-study areas (selected with the cities) to examine differences in infrastructure age, typology and redevelopment potential; Beaverton’s chosen case studies include Bethany, Cedar Hills West and Garden Home, and the county added Raleigh Hills for county interest.
Consultants said they will analyze one-time capital and ongoing maintenance costs, revenue options, statutory and policy constraints, and how findings could inform updates to urban planning area agreements or urban service area agreements. Staff emphasized that the study does not itself change boundaries or service responsibilities; any changes would require future policy decisions by elected bodies.
Board members and staff discussed whether the study should use common asset-condition metrics so city and county comparisons are apples-to-apples. Consultants confirmed they plan to use comparable metrics such as pavement condition indices and to align targets where feasible.
Staff said the study is largely a technical exercise and will not include formal public open houses during the data-analysis period, though staff can provide briefings to elected bodies and community groups and will return to the board with findings in spring–summer 2026 and a final report in summer 2026.
Outlook: Staff will proceed with the technical analysis and periodic briefings to elected bodies; any policy or governance changes would require subsequent steps and public engagement directed by elected officials.
