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Washington County narrows capital requests and supports transportation grant effort; seeks state funding for Forest Grove inflow and infiltration project
Summary
County government relations staff said Washington County is finalizing capital construction requests to the legislature, prioritizing the courthouse and submitting full requests with subprojects for items like the Walnut Street Fire station. Staff also described a coalition push for $50 million in state funding for the Tualatin Valley Highway pro
Washington County government relations staff told the Board of Commissioners on April 1 they are finalizing capital construction funding requests to the state and coordinating with regional partners on transportation funding.
Erin Doyle and county staff said the county is finalizing its capital ask with members of the Washington County delegation and, given state budget constraints and federal uncertainties, is keeping requests structured so subprojects can be funded if the full project is not. As an example, the Walnut Street Fire project would be submitted at the full request amount but staff also supplied subitem information—such as an HVAC replacement or roof rebuild—so partial funding could be applied.
The county emphasized the courthouse as the top capital priority and said staff will prioritize securing funding for courthouse needs by any available means.
Transportation: County staff reported a coalition effort seeking $50 million from the state for the Tualatin Valley Highway project. Presenters said the coalition hopes a state contribution would allow the project to draw down an estimated $150 million in federal Capital Investment Grant funds but acknowledged state priorities will make the request a difficult lift.
Forest Grove inflow and infiltration: Clean Water Services staff noted a submitted request for a Western Washington County inflow and infiltration project that serves Forest Grove, Gaston, and Cornelius. The total project cost was cited as $6,000,000; the county said it previously received nearly $1,000,000 in federal community grant funding via Congresswoman Bonamici’s office and is seeking $3,000,000 in state funding to cover the local share the city would otherwise need to provide.
Why it matters: Staff said designing requests with subproject options increases the chance of partial funding under constrained state budgets. Successful state funding for the Tualatin Valley Highway or Forest Grove project would unlock additional federal dollars and unlock stalled local projects.
Next steps: Staff said they will continue to work with delegation members, legislative fiscal staff and regional coalition partners as Ways and Means and budget negotiations proceed.
Ending: Commissioners thanked staff and the presenters for the update and for ongoing coordination with local and federal partners.
