Washington County commissioners hear three nominees for Aging and Veteran Services advisory council

Mira Symantel, director of Health and Human Services, and Rebecca Miller, manager for Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, presented three recommended nominees to the Washington County Board of Commissioners for appointment to the Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council.

"At the 07/21/2026 board meeting, we will be asking you to appoint 3 regular members to our aging and veteran services advisory council for a 3 year term that ends 06/30/2029," Rebecca Miller told the board.

The nominees presented were Boris Alex Eve, identified as a District 4 resident and vice president of Servo, a nonprofit that works with advocacy groups and community health networks; Laura Dexheimer, founder and executive director of the North Plains Food Bank and a District 4 resident; and Brandy Penner, executive director of the Oregon LGBTQ+ Aging Coalition, a statewide organization. Miller and Symantel said the council must include a majority of members aged 60 or older and include veterans, unpaid caregivers and people who receive the division's services, consistent with the Older Americans Act.

The presenters described recruitment and participation challenges: the council has 10 open positions, including one regular seat and one alternate whose terms expired and are not seeking reappointment, and staff reported 12 new applicants but said attendance and follow‑through vary because meetings are held in a hybrid format. Symantel said recruitment materials are posted in English and Spanish and that the council recently added an advocacy committee to its bylaws.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about applicants' eligibility and the new advocacy role. One commissioner said Brandy Penner would be "an added value" and asked staff to repeat the name of Penner's organization; Miller repeated that it is the Oregon LGBTQ+ Aging Coalition. Commissioners also noted familiarity with Laura Dexheimer's work at the food bank. No vote was taken during the presentation; Symantel and Miller said appointments will be acted on at the board's July 21 consent agenda.

If appointed, the three would fill regular seats and leave four alternate positions available; terms specified in the packet end on June 30, 2029. Staff asked commissioners to encourage applicants to attend meetings before appointing to ensure a good fit for the council.

The board did not take a formal vote at the presentation; the appointments are scheduled to come before the board on July 21.