Yamhill County adopts FY2026-27 budget, approves C-PACE program and several contracts

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners adopted the county's fiscal year 2026-27 budget and passed a package of ordinances and agreements at a formal session on June 18, 2026. Commissioner Kit Johnston moved approval on multiple items; Commissioners Mary Starrett and David 'Bubba' King voted aye on each recorded motion.

The board approved Resolution 26-06-18-1 to adopt the FY2026-27 budget, set appropriations and levy taxes. County Administrator Ken Huffer told the board there were two vacancies on the Budget Committee and directed staff to post the openings online with an application period closing July 9, 2026.

The board also moved forward with a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program. The commissioners approved an ordinance to implement a C-PACE program under ORS 233.680'233.685 and an agreement for the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) to administer the program. Patty Hertzog, executive director of MEDP, said seismic retrofits are an eligible project and that MEDP will run information sessions and share program details through its website and newsletter. Deputy County Administrator Kevin Perkins told commissioners the County Assessor did not expect a significant workload impact.

Other approved actions included:

' B.O. 26-165 (consent): approval of a leave without pay request for employee #6156. ' B.O. 26-166: upholding the Planning Director's decision approving a principal farm dwelling (Planning Docket FD-01-26) for Tax Lot R4523 0203. ' B.O. 26-170: amendments to the Tax Foreclosed Property Management and Disposition Policy to align with statute, including a requirement that properties be auctioned twice before private sale unless sold at the first auction. ' B.O. 26-171: Amendment #8 to the Oregon Health Authority agreement, increasing funds by $329,974 to fund two Family Health Navigator positions for Sheridan and Dayton School Districts. ' B.O. 26-172: Amendment #2 to the Summit Food Services agreement, establishing a 3% increase effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031. ' B.O. 26-173: Board Order limiting certain claims arising from recreational use of public trails pursuant to ORS 105.668. ' B.O. 26-174: intergovernmental agreement with Marion County for Yamhill County to pay 24% of specified ferry operations, maintenance and capital costs effective July 1, 2026. ' B.O. 26-175: transfer of appropriation authority from the Discretionary Fund to the Jail Maintenance Fund to cover expenses from a jail kitchen fire; County Administrator Ken Huffer stated the insurance claim is being reimbursed. ' B.O. 26-176: ratification of a collective bargaining agreement with Yamhill County Sergeants/Teamsters Local 223 through June 30, 2027.

Votes at a glance

All motions recorded in the minutes for the June 18 meeting passed with Commissioners Kit Johnston, Mary Starrett and David "Bubba" King voting aye unless otherwise noted in the public record.

Why it matters

The adopted budget sets county spending and tax levies for the coming fiscal year and funds critical services. The C-PACE ordinance creates a financing mechanism intended to help commercial property owners undertake energy efficiency and seismic retrofit projects; MEDP will handle outreach and initial administration. Approvals to amend service contracts and intergovernmental agreements clarify funding and operations for county functions from food services to ferry costs.

What's next

Staff were directed to post Budget Committee vacancies with an application deadline of July 9, 2026. MEDP plans to schedule C-PACE information sessions and post program details to its website; the ordinance and administration agreement will take effect as provided in the Board Order.