Four meetings a year for four geographic districts countywide is Washington County’s plan for neighbors to interact with government.

After shutting down the Community Participation Organizations (CPOs) this spring, the county is still working to define what comes next, but decisions have already been made to limit future engagement by moving to four meetings per area countywide, based on County Commissioner Districts, held quarterly, and focusing on countywide issues rather than local neighborhood concerns.

No more contacting your local CPO to find out what’s being planned on that lot near you, or how a new road will affect you, or how you get in touch with someone at the county to solve a problem or ask a question. No more local meetings where you can ask a Sheriff what is being done about crime in your neighborhood.

Make your voice heard!

In January, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adopted Resolution and Order (R&O) 26-14 as part of their consent Agenda (where pro-forma matters are usually voted on in bulk without discussion). That laid the groundwork for the county to proceed with the “modernization” project. A press release explained their rationale for the change.

The Office of Access and Opportunity has been managing the process. Nothing public happened until June, when “listening sessions” began to be held. In person sessions were all in June. There will virtual sessions in July. The District 2 virtual session will be on July 8, 6-7 pm, join here. Register here for this session and for Districts 1, 3 and 4. There’s also a survey you can fill out.

The Planning Commission (PC) is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed plan (Ordinance 915) and make recommendations to BCC at their July 15, 6:30 pm meeting.

The BCC is scheduled to hold a public hearing during their August 25, 6:30 pm meeting. They may choose to pass it, or “engross” it (change or add to the document). If it is engrossed another hearing will be held later.

During both hearings the public may speak  in person and on Zoom, or submit written testimony in advance,. Agenda descriptions, supporting documents including staff reports, and zoom links are posted to the meetings page one week in advance of both meetings. Staff reports often provide information about why changes are being proposed and are very helpful in better understanding the proposed ordinance. If your questions are submitted prior to the completion of the staff report, staff is required to address your questions, comments, concerns.

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) published an Equitable Engagement Toolkit in 2024, but it’s not clear if OAO followed the guidelines in creating the outreach plan for the “modernization” project.