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Yamhill County commissioners approve DEQ wastewater agreement, health funding amendments, opioid settlement participation and CAFFA grant application
Summary
The Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to manage onsite wastewater through 2035, amended Oregon Health Authority contracts including a $3,060,900 BHRN award (reduced by $359,000), authorized participation in remaining opioid settlement parties, and approved a revised CAFFA grant application.
Yamhill County commissioners Mary Starrett and David “Bubba” King approved a series of administrative agreements and grant actions during their May 21 formal session, including a multiyear intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to oversee onsite wastewater systems.
The DEQ intergovernmental agreement (B.O. 26-133) authorizes the county to administer permitting, inspection and enforcement of onsite wastewater treatment systems in Yamhill County under ORS 190.010, ORS 190.110 and ORS Chapter 454, and extends through December 31, 2035. Commissioner David “Bubba” King moved approval; Commissioners Mary Starrett and King voted aye, and the motion passed.
In related health contract actions, the board approved Amendment #1 to Agreement #4430000043099 with the Oregon Health Authority for Problem Gambling (B.O. 26-134) and Amendment #1 to Agreement #44300-00051389 reducing Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) funding to $3,060,900 effective July 1, 2026 (B.O. 26-135). Commissioner Mary Starrett said the proposed reduction totals $359,000 and attributed the decrease to reduced marijuana tax revenue. Both amendments were moved and approved by the board.
The board also authorized the county administrator to sign final participation forms to include Yamhill County in the remaining national opioid settlement agreements with the so-called “Remnant Defendants,” identifying the companies named in the agenda (B.O. 26-136). Commissioner Starrett clarified that the item covered all remaining settlement parties; Commissioner King moved approval and the motion passed.
Finally, the board approved a revised CAFFA grant application for 2026–2027 (B.O. 26-137). Commissioner King moved approval; Commissioners Starrett and King voted aye.
Votes at a glance: For each of the above items the motion was moved by Commissioner David “Bubba” King (except where noted), and the recorded votes on the floor were Commissioner Mary Starrett — aye; Commissioner David “Bubba” King — aye; Commissioner Kit Johnston — absent. No votes against or abstentions were recorded in the minutes.
Why it matters: The DEQ agreement shifts local responsibilities for onsite wastewater oversight and sets a multiyear framework through 2035; the reduction to BHRN funding reflects declining marijuana tax revenue that affects local behavioral-health allocations; joining the remaining opioid settlement parties finalizes Yamhill County’s participation in federal multidistrict litigation settlements; the CAFFA application moves the county forward in seeking community funding for the coming fiscal year.
Next steps: The DEQ agreement, OHA amendments, opioid settlement participation and CAFFA application were authorized at the meeting and will proceed to implementation steps identified in the respective agreements and administrative processes (effective dates and contract execution as stated in the approved items).
