Clackamas County splits $210,000 in arts lottery grants after tense debate over metrics and priorities

The board spent substantial time debating how to allocate limited non‑competitive lottery dollars among local cultural organizations before voting 3–2 to direct staff to allocate the recommended amounts.

Dan Johnson, director of transportation and development, told the commissioners the Office of Economic Development had requests for 2026‑27 from the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, the Museum of the Oregon Territory (MOOT), and the Willamette Falls Locks Authority. Johnson said staff had budgeted approximately $210,000 for these non‑competitive grants and recommended splitting those dollars into $70,000 apiece.

Commissioner Martha Savis moved to "direct staff to allocate the lottery dollars grants as presented" and Commissioner Shrader seconded. "I move direct staff to allocate the lottery dollars grants as presented," Savis said when restating her motion.

Several commissioners supported the institutions but pushed for more accountability. Commissioner Shrader asked, "What are they delivering based on what we're giving them?" and urged requiring follow‑up reporting and measurable outcomes if the county is providing taxpayer support. Commissioner Helm, Commissioner West and others pressed for more financial detail from MOOT and asked whether a matching requirement or conditional disbursement would encourage fundraising and reduce ongoing county reliance.

Commissioner West, who voted against the motion, said he was sympathetic but not ready to allocate $70,000 to MOOT without answers about operating budgets and visitor numbers. Several board members suggested scheduling presentations from the organizations and working with tourism staff to identify partnership funding.

Supporters of the motion emphasized that the recommended amounts were within the proposed 2026‑27 budget and that splitting available funding would at least sustain programming across the three entities in the short term.

The board approved the motion on a 3–2 vote (Shrader, Savis and Chair Roberts in favor; Helm and West opposed). Staff will prepare formal funding agreements and report back on any conditions or performance measures the board sets.

Context and amounts: staff listed the original requests as roughly $110,000 for the Arts Alliance, $100,000 for the Museum of the Oregon Territory, and $120,000 for the Willamette Falls Locks Authority; staff proposed the three‑way split to match the available $210,000 programmed in the 2026‑27 budget. Commissioners also noted the county has previously provided funding to the locks authority (staff cited roughly $500,000 over 10–15 years in cash and in‑kind services). One commissioner referenced sizable state support to tribal or coalition efforts on Willamette Falls; staff clarified the larger state allocation went to a different tribal coalition and that the locks authority is a separate entity that would use county funds for internal operations and fundraising efforts.

Next steps: staff will draft intergovernmental/funding agreements and bring back recommended performance measures and timelines as the board directs.