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West Linn accepts $145,000 from Clackamas County for food pantry and emergency services fund
Summary
Council authorized the City Manager to sign a three‑year IGA with Clackamas County providing $100,000 to the West Linn Food Pantry and $45,000 for an emergency human services fund to be administered by behavioral health and community services staff.
The West Linn City Council authorized the City Manager Dec. 9 to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Clackamas County that will provide $145,000 over three years for local homelessness‑related initiatives: $100,000 for the West Linn Food Pantry and $45,000 for an emergency human services fund.
City staff explained that Clackamas County issued a notice of funding availability to support city‑led initiatives and that the county asked cities to allocate these regional funds rather than hold them in reserve. Under the proposal, the county‑allocated funds will be transferred and placed into accounts for use over three years ($33,000 per year approximately to the food pantry and $15,000 per year to the emergency fund), and the IGA specifies eligible purposes including food, staff wages, utilities, rent and other operational needs for the pantry.
Staff said the allocation replaces an earlier concept to build a camping facility because changes in state law or its interpretation removed the immediate legal need for such a facility; if the city needs to create a camping site in future, separate funding would be required. Staff also acknowledged community concerns that the funds might reduce private donations; they said the intent is to provide stability and expand services, and pledged to coordinate communications with neighborhood groups about how the funds will be used.
Councilors asked whether year‑one funding falls in the current fiscal year and how residents can access services that are currently routed through police response; staff said year‑one funding can move forward immediately and that staff will report back with information about service access points beyond police referrals. Councilor comments praised the county’s support and the proposed allocation.
A council member moved to authorize the City Manager to sign the IGA; the motion was seconded and passed by unanimous roll call.
What’s next: City staff will finalize accounting and reporting steps to make funds available to the food pantry and set up the emergency human services fund, and will work with the county to clarify timing and public communications.
