Yamhill County adopts unified statement to OHA, says proposed CFAA changes are unfunded mandates
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Summary
The board unanimously approved a statement to the Oregon Health Authority saying Yamhill County will continue community mental health services under ORS 430.640 but will only execute a new County Financial Assistance Agreement when mutually acceptable, funded terms are reached; commissioners characterized OHA’s proposed language as an unfunded-mand
The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a statement to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) about the County Financial Assistance Agreement (CFAA). The statement said the county will continue operating its community mental health program pursuant to ORS 430.640 and that it intends to execute a new CFAA only once mutually acceptable and funded terms are reached.
Multiple commissioners described OHA’s proposed contract language as an unfunded mandate that would require the county to provide services without adequate state funding. Commissioners said counties provide the services and OHA controls funding and therefore must provide resources to meet new obligations.
The board’s action aligns with positions other counties and county associations raised during recent meetings, and it directs county leadership to continue negotiations while signaling a unified county-level stance that contracts lacking funding cannot be signed.
The motion passed without recorded nay votes; commissioners said they expect further inter-county coordination and may return to the subject as negotiations progress.
