Yamhill County agrees to bring dog control back under sheriff’s office, approves $102,000 transfer

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners reached consensus March 26 to bring the county’s dog control program back under the Sheriff’s Office and to transfer $102,000 from discretionary funds to support the program’s start-up needs.

County Administrator Ken Huffer told the Board the FY 2026–27 proposal includes one full-time dog control officer and possibly a 0.5 full-time-equivalent clerical support position, and that returning the program to county management would require amendments to county ordinances. Sheriff Sam Elliott said the county currently contracts with Homeward Bound and Newberg Animal Shelter for kenneling and that those contracts — and the cost of kenneling — will affect near-term funding needs.

Sheriff Elliott reported there are 2,125 licensed dogs in the county but said licensing compliance overall is low, and staff discussed an online licensing system as a potential tool to improve compliance. Huffer noted that historically licensing revenue could make the program self-sufficient, but startup costs may require general-fund support initially.

By consensus the Board agreed to transfer $102,000 from the discretionary fund to the dog control program to address start-up and kennel costs. No formal ordinance amendments were enacted at the meeting; staff were directed to return with any necessary ordinance language and budget adjustments.

The Board’s direction was procedural: no formal ballot measure or final ordinance adoption took place at the meeting. Next steps identified by staff include drafting ordinance changes, estimating ongoing operating costs, and reporting back to the Board with a budget plan.