Resilient Oregon Counties - Prepare, Recover, Mitigate. 
June 12-14, 2016 | Umatilla County - Pendleton, Oregon | REGISTER

Join AOC President Larry Givens for the Spring Summit in Umatilla County June 12-14 at the Pendleton Red Lion. Registration is $250 and hotel rooms start at $89 per night. 


As always, we will have a great lineup of speakers, there will be valuable tools and information to take back to your county, and great networking opportunities for all to enjoy. 

We look forward to seeing you in Pendleton!
Policy Updates
AOC Legislative Committee Met in May

Representative Phil Barnhart, chair of the House Revenue Committee, addressed the Legislative Committee on May 9 regarding 2017 revenue and legislative priorities, and potential changes to Oregon's property tax system...read more
Capitol Cherry Blossoms
2016 Legislative Summary Now Available

The 2016 Regular Legislative Session was, as expected, contentious. Although not expressly provided by law, the short even-numbered year sessions created in 2010 by constitutional amendment are understood by many to be for the 
purpose of fine-tuning the state biennial... read more
Update on Marijuana - Focus on Economics

On May 2, 2016, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) issued their first recreational marijuana production licenses, as the beginning phase in the roll out that will lead to the opening of OLCC licensed retail shops later this year. In the meantime, the Oregon Department of Revenue has announced that they... read more
National Summit Gathers Teams from 50 Counties 

Teams of criminal justice and behavioral health professionals representing Hood River County and the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) attended a two-day summit that brought together select teams from communities of all sizes as part of a national initiative to address the mental health crisis... read more
Transportation Committee Update

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! The race for a 2017 Transportation Package is underway!  On April 27, 2016, Senate President Courtney and House Speaker Tina Kotek announced the creation of the Joint Committee on Transportation... read more 

Public Lands and Natural Resources Committee Update

The AOC Public Lands & Natural Resources Committee keeps its eyes trained on national issues effecting natural resources. In fact, the purpose of its Forest Management Subcommittee is to aim its resources nationally to gain federal forest management reform and "bridge" safety net funding for counties until reform...read more
Forest Management Sub-Committee Update

After a week's recess, Congress has returned to the Hill to resume its work during election season. Of great importance to AOC and counties in other western states is that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee can now focus its attention on a federal forest management reform bill... read more
Save the Date: NOAA Flood Plain BiOp Webinar

On May 17th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. AOC and the LOC will be hosting a webinar/phone call regarding the recently released biological opinion (BiOp) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries...read more
Department of State Lands Releases News on Rulemaking

The Department of State Lands (DSL) is currently engaged in a number of rulemaking efforts that could be of interest to counties. DSL will hold several public hearings in May on rules pertaining to permits for maintenance dredging, management of state-owned waterways, and recreational placer mining... read more
State to Hold Rulemaking Hearings in Coastal Cities

Starting May 16, the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) will hold five public hearings to seek comments on two sets of administrative rules governing: 1) the state-owned waterway management and leasing program; and 2) the establishment of a new General Permit for Navigational Access.. read more

The Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is seeking two new members. The committee was first formed by Oregon Statute 366.112, a bill passed in the 1973 Oregon Legislature. In 1995, the Oregon Transportation Commission officially... read more
News
The Big Fix, One Courthouse at a Time

In the approximately two years since the Court Facilities T ask Force was formed, the prioritization approach appears to be serving its intended purpose ... read more
CLHO Awarded Robert Wood Johnson Funds

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, one of the partners in the annual national County Health Rankings report, has awarded three states grants to push the envelope... read more
New U.S. Communities Technology Contract

U.S. Communities announced the launch of the new national U.S. Communities cooperative contract for Technology Products, Services, Solutions and Related Products... read more
Eastern Oregon Wilderness needs help from Congress

New wilderness areas and national monuments have not been a popular topic in rural Oregon during the past year...read more

For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
Summit: Strategic Sourcing Summit - U.S. Communities
May 12, 2016 | 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Portland | REGISTER
Attend this summit sponsored by AOC Business Partner, U.S. Communities to learn more from supplier partners who can help your county save money.
Webinar: Building Broadband Opportunities - How Local Leaders Can Make a Difference
May 16, 2016 | 11:00 a.m. |  REGISTER
Join the National League of Cities, NACo, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for a two-part webinar on community broadband.
Webinar: Keeping Counties Moving - Technological Innovations in Transportation
May 18, 2016 | 12:00 p.m. |  REGISTER
Join NACo on this interactive webinar to learn how counties are leveraging technological innovations to improve transportation systems and for the future.
Webinar: Funding a Workforce Development S trategy
May 19, 2016 | 11:00 a.m. | REGISTER
Join NACo for a grants webinar on funding a county-wide workforce development strategy.
Workshop: Oregon Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Finance
May 19, 2016 | Eugene | REGISTER | May 24, 2016 | The Dalles | 
Workshops feature an overview of funding programs for water and wastewater project planning, development and construction; information on new requirements, and more.
Webinar: NOAA Flood Plain BiOp
May 17, 2016 | 10:30 a.m. | REGISTER
Join the Association of Oregon Counties and the League of Oregon Cities for a webinar/phone call regarding the recently released biological opinion (BiOp) from the NOAA Fisheries.
Webinar: Smart Irrigation - Preparing for the "New Normal"
June 8, 2016 | 10:00 a.m. | REGISTER
Attend a webinar sponsored by AOC Business Partner, Siemens, to learn more about water's future in the PNW, smart irrigation technology, and financing alternatives. 
Course: Northwest Community Development Institute 
July 18 - 22, 2016 | REGISTER
Join the Northwest Community Development Institute (NWCDI) for a course on the techniques of modern leadership and management of community development efforts. 
For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
Join a NACo Committee
Deadline to apply is June 3, 2016 | APPLY

NACo First Vice President, Brian Desloge is seeking applications for NACo presidential appointments - policy and steering committee chairs and vice chairs, sub-committee chairs and vice... read more

Register Now for the 2016 NACo Annual Conference
July 22 - 25, 2016 | Long Beach, CA | REGISTER

Are you ready for Lights, Leadership, Action in Long Beach, Los Angeles County? Register for the 2016 NACo Annual Conference & Exhibition, and network with county officials.
New SolSmart Program Launched to Promote Solar Development 

In partnership with The Solar Foundation, the National Association of Counties (NACo) is pleased to announce the launch of the SolSmart program, made possible... read more

Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge - Apply Now

The Challenge aims to improve measurable health outcomes and promote a broad view of health. All finalists will receive at least $10,000 and your county may be eligible ...  read more
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program Grants - Apply Now

The. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for the FY16 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grants. Awardees will... read more
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
AOC Welcomes New Business Partner Members

Blue Line Transportation Co. Inc. has been providing transportation, application, and manufacturing of materials for the road construction industry for over 40 years. They specialize in asphalt emulsions, dust control and de-icer products. 


Hampton Affiliates is a family-owned forest products business headquartered in Portland, Oregon. Hampton operates three sawmills in Oregon in the communities of Willamina, Tillamook and Warrenton as well as three mills in Washington and two in British Columbia with normal lumber production capacity in excess of 2.2 billion board feet. Hampton also owns approximately 130,000 acres of U.S. timberland, managed on a sustainable basis and certified through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.  learn more...

Peterson Cat is northern California, Oregon and southwest Washington's authorized Caterpillar dealer and your source for Cat machinery, portable and stationary diesel-powered generators, natural gas turbines, air compressors, advanced equipment guidance systems from Trimble, and agricultural equipment from Massey Ferguson, Challenger, and other leading brands. learn more...
In Other News
Staff Enjoyed Take Your Child to Work Day at AOC

On April 28 AOC Staff enjoyed showing children around the office, introducing them to colleagues, and of course - quizzing them on Oregon's 36 counties. All in all, a lot of fun was had by all. And, the kids quickly learned which offices have the good stuff - see Rob and Kimi for further details. 
The Last Word
Q: What is the easiest way to double your money? A: Put it in front of a mirror.

As always, please feel free to submit your story ideas, announcements, recipes, events, photos and job changes to your  Oregon  Trails  staff for inclusion in the next riveting edition. 
 
Your  Oregon Trails staff,
 
Laura Cleland & Mckenzie Farrell
Association of  Oregon  Counties

Representing Oregon counties since 1906, the Association of Oregon Counties unites counties to advocate, communicate, and educate through information sharing and consensus development.