May Economic & Revenue Forecast: Growth Continues but Slows
More Likely Than Not Kicker Will Kick

On May 16, the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis presented their latest quarterly Economic & Revenue Outlook to the combined legislative revenue committees. The May forecast is pivotal, because the Ways & Means Committee uses it to begin to fashion the 2017-19 budget.  In summary, the state's economy continues to grow but at a slower pace across regions and industries. Also, federal policy uncertainties - tax rates, infrastructure, deregulation, immigration, trade and health care - continue to nag... read more
Policy Updates
Community & Economic Development Update - May 12
This week marks the end of week 15 of the Legislative Session. Below is a review of the week. House Bill (HB) 2968 - Brownfields: The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural resources held a public hearing on HB 2968.  Bruce Gillis, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) clean-up... read more
Energy, Environment, and Land Use Update - May 12
Energy, Environment and Land Use bills continued to wind their way through the legislative process. There were also several conversations regarding funding for Sage Grouse funding. Sage Grouse:  AOC has been actively working with other stakeholders to ensure the SageCon Partnership's efforts continue to... read more
Health Bills on the Move
Senate Bill (SB) 754-A, "Tobacco 21," moved out of the House Health Care Committee on Wednesday, May 10. A number of amendments were introduced in the House, and the bill was scheduled for a work session and carried over three times, causing some concern among advocates. Fortunately, a clean... read more
Transportation Update - May 12
The Joint Transportation Preservation & Modernization Committee met on Monday, May 8 and received a presentation that recapped the recommendations of the five work groups. Recommendations were wide ranging: first, the investment program would cover a 10-year period, and could potentially be re-upped for... read more
Low Growth Counties Meet with State Leaders
Commissioners and judges from eight eastern Oregon counties met Wednesday on a proposal to modify Land Use Planning processes in counties with no population growth (SB 432).  In a meeting convened by Senate Minority leader Ted Ferrioli Wednesday afternoon, Judge Gary Thompson... read more
Public Safety Coordinator Partnership with Criminal Justice Commission Highlighted in Hearing
Klamath County Commissioner Kelley Minty Morris joined AOC Executive Director Mike McArthur and Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) Executive Director Mike Schmidt in front of the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public... read more
Makeover of Deferred Billing Credit
Enacted in 2011 after AOC convened a workgroup of local taxing district representatives, Deferred Billing Credits (DBC) provide the county assessor with the authority to, at their discretion, issue a DBC to taxpayers when the tax assessment is appealed and the dollar amount in dispute exceeds $1  million...read more
Property Tax Changed Ratio by City?
House Bill (HB) 2088, as introduced, would grant authority to a city by ordinance or resolution to require calculation by the county assessor of the Changed Property Ratio (CPR) within that city rather than county-wide.  Under Oregon's complex property tax system, a large portion of which was embedded in... read more

AOC Urges Reinvestment in Property Tax Administration
AOC asked the Ways & Means Subcommittee on General Government to reinvest General Funds into the County Assessment Function Funding Assistance Account (CAFFA), which has continued to dwindle to the now dangerously inadequate level of 17 percent. AOC also stated that... read more
News
Working to Keep Mentally Ill Out of Jail
It was my honor to convene the AOC C3 Summit - Connect. Communicate. Collaborate. -  in Salem on May 9. The focus of the day was the Stepping Up Initiative, a national effort to reduce the number of people with mental illness in county jails and the subject of my AOC presidential initiative... read more
TGM Program - Applications Due June 9
Final reminder, the 2017 Transportation Grant Management (TGM) Planning Grant Applications are due June 9... read more
County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Regional Training and Development Schedule
The Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) continues to build upon a strong foundation of training County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs) across the state... read more
Forest Economy County Economic Fact Sheets Updated
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI)-produced fact sheets offering a snapshot of how the forest products industry impacts Oregon's 36 counties has been updated. Learn more
For a complete list of news and information visit oregoncounties.org
Events
OCZMA Membership Meeting
May 22, 2017 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Oregon State Capitol | REGISTER

The Oregon Coastal Zone Management Association (OCZMA) will be holding a membership meeting on May 22, 2017 at the Oregon State Capitol to discuss policy issues, meet with legislators, and to conduct association business. Lunch available to those who register. 
Managing Stormwater in Oregon
June 20, 2017 | Portland |  REGISTER

Regional regulations are tightening, third party lawsuits are an emerging enforcement threat, and the economics of compliance matter more than ever for property owners and managers. This conference addresses these challenges and presents practical answers for Oregon companies, municipalities and service providers.
Oregon Coastal Caucus Economic Summit
July 26 | Portland, Oregon  |  REGISTER

For a complete list of events visit oregoncounties.org
NACo News
Get Involved! Submit Your NACo Presidential Appointment Request Today
To be considered for a presidential appointment you must complete the  application online  before  June 2, 2017 ... read more
For more information on NACo news visit naco.org
Partner Spotlight
Investing Platform Redefines How County Treasurers Do Business
NACo has partnered with  Multi-Bank Securities, Inc. (MBS)  endorsing eConnectDirect® as an essential tool for members to manage their fixed-income investment needs. This proprietary tool gives county treasurers visibility to thousands of fixed-income offerings in a market with little transparency. It arms investors with the necessary tools and confidence to select and transact within the fixed-income marketplace.  Learn more... 
The Last Word
Q: What goes up and doesn't come back down? A: Your age.

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.