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County agrees to short‑term share for High Rocks river rescue program; officials call it a one‑year Band‑Aid
Summary
The board advanced an intergovernmental agreement for $11,630.45 (county share) to help fund AMR river rescue coverage at High Rocks for five months this summer; several commissioners called the arrangement a temporary, unsustainable "Band‑Aid."
The board previewed and advanced an intergovernmental agreement with the cities of Oregon City and Gladstone to fund a modified High Rocks River Rescue program this summer. Mary Rumbaugh, director of Health, Housing & Human Services, said Clackamas County's share is $11,630.45 for five months and will be paid from the county's public health fee revenue; no county general funds are involved.
Rumbaugh said the modified program would emphasize AMR presence on holiday weekends and days with a heat index of 90'F or hotter. "The focus would really be on AMR being present there... on holiday weekends and high heat index days, which is defined as 90 degrees, or hotter," she said.
Several commissioners described the arrangement as a short‑term fix. "I agree this is a Band Aid, a 1 year Band Aid," one commissioner said, and others urged the cities to identify sustainable funding and noted county public safety resources (sheriff's marine unit) also respond on the river. Commissioners asked staff to gather historical response and coverage data to evaluate effectiveness after this trial season.
Rumbaugh emphasized the county's contribution is intended to keep the program running for the coming summer but is not a long‑term solution; staff said continued regional partnership with AMR and the two cities will be necessary to find sustainable funding.
