Washington County commissioners press Metro for clarity on SHS reform; seek delay, warning on allocations and reporting burdens

Washington County commissioners used a work-session briefing to press Metro Council'drafters of a proposed reform to the Supportive Housing Services (SHS) measure for clearer language, more time for review and assurances about fiscal impacts and administrative burdens.

Erin Doyers, Washington County government relations manager, presented a section-by-section summary of two draft Metro ordinances that would (1) refer a reform measure to voters and (2) establish transition rules if voters approve the referral. The drafts, Doyers said, would allow SHS revenues to be used for a wider set of "affordable housing" activities, extend the authorized collection through tax year 2050, create a new regional advisory body (referred to in the drafts as an H2PAC or HPAC), and add new annual reporting, monitoring and audit requirements for counties and service providers.

Why it matters: commissioners said the changes could affect how much revenue counties receive, how local contracts are funded and the administrative workload for county staff and service providers. Several commissioners warned the draft leaves open a path for Metro to lower the tax rate in future years and for Metro-level allocation decisions that could disrupt long-term contracts and the county'run "essential system" of services. Commissioners also raised concerns that new reporting and data-sharing requirements would duplicate existing federal and state reporting and add substantial staff time.

Key points from the briefing

- Affordable housing uses and carryforward: Doyers said the referral would…