Board adopts Transit Development Plan to secure STIF funds for local transit priorities

Washington County commissioners unanimously adopted a two‑year Transit Development Plan on Dec. 3, a required step to be eligible for STIF (Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund) funding generated by the payroll tax established in House Bill 2017.

Diame Valentine, principal transportation planner, told the board the plan outlines two years of transportation priorities, documents community engagement and sets program elements for distributing STIF dollars to local providers. "House Bill 2017 established the statewide transit tax...this is a tenth of one percent employee payroll tax," Valentine said, explaining the plan's role in making the county eligible for funds.

Staff described collaboration with TriMet, SMART and Ride Connection as well as a local transit advisory committee that includes jurisdictional representatives from cities such as Banks, Gaston and North Plains and ex officio members from transit agencies. Commissioner Rogers, who chaired the advisory committee, praised the committee's work and said the heavy lifting for 2024 is complete.

Commissioners discussed outreach, safety and targeted services for rural and Western Washington County. The board approved the resolution adopting the Transit Development Plan by a unanimous 5–0 vote. Staff said the plan will guide the county's distribution of STIF funds and priorities for service frequency, connections to essential destinations and support for small shuttle operators that serve employment hubs and geographic areas with different transit needs.

Implications Adopting the plan makes the county eligible to receive and program STIF dollars and formalizes priorities that will be evaluated in biennial budgets and grant decisions. Staff emphasized the plan is built around local advisory input and that additional community engagement informed priorities for rural transit service.