Wasco County elects Secure Rural Schools payment, shifts internal split to bolster emergency funds

Wasco County commissioners voted unanimously July 1 to elect the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payment rather than the 1908 Act distribution for federal forest receipts, Public Works Director Arthur Smith told the board. Smith said the county’s estimated SRS payment for the current cycle is $887,994 compared with $171,922 under the 1908 formula and recommended selecting the higher SRS option.

Smith explained that, for counties receiving a “major distribution” (more than $350,000), Title II and Title III allocations together must total between 15% and 20% of the county share and Title III cannot exceed 7%. Wasco County historically diverted 15% of its SRS share (13% Title II, 2% Title III) and staff recommended retaining the 15% diversion but redistributing it to 8% Title II and 7% Title III to increase funds available for county-specific emergency needs such as multi-day search-and-rescue operations, specialized emergency training and equipment purchases.

Commissioner Jeffrey L. Justesen asked about the mechanism for allocating the 25% school share among individual school districts; Smith said Finance Director Mike Middleton could answer that and noted the county would transmit its election through the Association of Oregon Counties to the state for final submission to the U.S. Forest Service. Chair Scott C. Hege asked whether the election represented a single-year choice; Smith confirmed it did.

After discussion the board approved the motion to elect SRS payment for Wasco County and to allocate 15% to Title I, 8% to Title II and 7% to Title III. The Association of Oregon Counties will aggregate county elections and forward them to the Department of Administrative Services for submission to the U.S. Forest Service.