Votes at a glance: Washington County adopts ordinances, annexation, Clean Water measures and Highway 6 emergency
Loading...
Summary
At its Jan. 6 business meeting the Washington County Board of Commissioners approved multiple ordinances and resolutions — including a housing tax-exemption code change, an annexation into THPRD, comprehensive-plan boundary updates, Clean Water Services settlement authority and a declaration of emergency for Highway 6 — and set a schedule for other hearings.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners recorded a string of formal actions on Jan. 6, 2026, adopting several ordinances and resolutions and scheduling follow-up hearings.
Key votes and outcomes
- Consent agenda: The board approved a 13-item consent agenda covering minutes and routine departmental items, unanimously 5–0.
- Behavioral Health Council bylaws: The board adopted revisions to the Behavioral Health Council bylaws (unanimous 5–0) after noting the item had been reviewed in a prior work session.
- Ordinance 913 (housing tax exemption): The board read Ordinance 913 by title, which amends Washington County Code section 3.48.002(c) to conform nonprofit low-income housing tax exemption language to ORS 307.541, and adopted it by roll call vote (5–0).
- Annexation into Tualatin Hills Park & Rec District (Item 25-008 LR P/BC): Staff reported the petition and review of criteria for a 1.86-acre tax lot at 5375 NW 137th Ave; the board adopted the resolution approving annexation effective Jan. 6, 2026 (5–0).
- Engrossed Ordinance 908 (comprehensive framework plan boundaries): The board adopted engrossed Ordinance 908 (Raleigh Hills Town Center, Sunset Town Center and Washington Square Regional Center boundary updates) and associated findings unanimously (5–0).
- Ordinance 909 (Cornelius UPAA): After staff presentation and noting planning commission recommendations, the board ordered engrossment and directed staff to mail required notice; the board continued the hearing to Feb. 3 and Feb. 24, 2026 for final action.
- Ordinance 910 (Forest Grove UPAA): The board adopted Ordinance 910 and its findings (5–0) to update the Forest Grove UPAA and adjust the map consistent with recent annexations.
- Clean Water Services governance and finance: The board, sitting as Clean Water Services board directors, approved increasing the CEO/GM settlement authority from $15,000 to $100,000 to allow the GM to settle routine property-damage claims; they also adopted a resolution setting retroactive compensation for interim CEO/general manager Rick Shanley (both motions carried 5–0).
- Vice chair designation: The board designated Commissioner Jerry Willey as vice chair for 2026, following rules for rotation (5–0).
- Highway 6 emergency: The board declared a state of emergency related to damage on Oregon Highway 6 caused by severe winter weather; the declaration expires April 6, 2026 (5–0).
What was continued or deferred
- Ordinance 909 (Cornelius UPAA) was ordered for engrossment and continued to Feb. 3 and Feb. 24, 2026 to allow further review and public notice.
- A major decision on the CPO/CCI restructuring (Item F7) was postponed to the Jan. 27 evening meeting following substantial public comment and commissioner requests for more review.
Next steps
Staff were directed to correct scrivener's errors in the materials (citations to prior R&Os) where indicated, to mail notices required by charter for engrossed items and to return continued items on the dates set. Several actions were unanimous; where items were continued or postponed the board set future dates for final action.
