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Hood River County authorizes legislative request for courthouse replacement, cites $85M court portion
Summary
The Hood River County Board authorized a legislative placeholder to pursue funding for a courthouse replacement, noting consultants estimated the court portion at roughly $85 million and the project is not seismically compliant.
Hood River County commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 21 to authorize a legislative request for a courthouse replacement after reviewing a rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate prepared by consultants.
County Administrator Allison Williams and Commissioner Arthur Babitz said the ROM includes all departments and site work, and indicated the court portion alone is estimated at $85 million, with the state program currently funding approximately 50 percent of court construction costs. The county cited a $325,000 planning cost (50 percent eligible under the state program) and consultant estimates of about $1,300 per square foot for courthouse construction.
Commissioner Babitz reviewed mechanisms other Oregon counties have used to finance courthouse projects, noting differences in per-capita assessed value and prior examples of state and local funding partnerships. He said Hood River County’s total assessed market value is roughly $88 billion, referenced the 2 percent statutory debt-limit guidance (a $176 million illustrative ceiling), and warned that local property-tax increases at the scale needed would be a heavy burden for residents.
Administrators and commissioners agreed the county will pursue a legislative placeholder to make the case for state assistance while also planning for long-term property acquisition and facility needs. The Board authorized Chair Euwer to sign the legislative request.
Next steps identified in the discussion included continued consultant work to refine costs, coordination with the Oregon Judicial Department as recommended by the consultants, and tracking funding opportunities during the legislative session.
