Boards and Commissions Vacancies spring 2022

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 01, 2022

Volunteers needed for advisory boards and commissions

Various boards, committees and commissions advise the Board of Commissioners on matters of interest to people who live and work in Washington County. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. Committees themselves do not pass ordinances to establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations.

In many cases, members must be residents of Washington County. Serving on an appointed board or commission is an opportunity for Washington County residents to participate in decisions that affect them and to learn more about how local government works.

Per Board of Commissioners procedures, the County Administrative Office will solicit applications from individuals for a six-week period. Staff will keep the Commissioners apprised of applications received and approaching deadlines. As specified in the revised Recruitment, Selection and Appointment Process, there will be an opportunity for the Board to discuss appointments at a work session prior to scheduling any formal action. The application deadline is April 5th or open until filled. Applications may be obtained by visiting the Boards and Commissions website.

Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council – 9 positions available now

Description:  Planning for future services and reviewing current programs are two key roles for these 19 volunteers (13 regular and 6 alternate members). Their community ties and personal or professional familiarity with issues facing seniors and veterans make them an invaluable resource for Washington County Disability, Aging & Veterans' Services and the Board of Commissioners. The Council advises the department on policy, programs, and actions affecting the delivery of services and generally serves as an advocate for veterans and the elderly.
Member Description: Nineteen members (13 regular and 6 alternate) including: consumers over age 60, minority, an elected official, veterans healthcare provider, veterans provider, general public, under 60 veteran and rural
Term: 3 years

Time Commitment: 5 to 10 hours per month

Meetings: Usually the third Thursday of every other month, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Contact: Janet Long
503-846-3081

Behavioral Health Council – 2 positions available now and 3 positions available after Mar 31, 2022

Description: The Behavioral Health Council advises the Behavioral Health Division, and identifies community needs, recommends funding priorities, and helps select and evaluate service providers. The County's emphasis on contracting with community agencies for social services makes the work of this volunteer advisory council critical.
Member Description: Comprised of nineteen members including recipients of service, advocates, professionals in the field, key referral sources, provider representatives, and lay citizens. Members are residents of the county or have work interests in the county.
Term: 3 years

Time Commitment: 2 to 3 hours per month

Meetings: Fourth Wednesday, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Contact: Aika Fallstrom
503-846-4576

Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (Col-Pac) – 2 positions available now

Description:  The Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District (Col-Pac) is a private non-profit organization established to assist in diversifying and strengthening the economy and livability of Northwest Oregon. The District covers all of Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties and the western part of Washington County (including Banks, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, and North Plains).

Col-Pac’s mission is to promote and sustain healthy communities in the district through retention, diversification and expansion of the economic base. The goal is healthy and thriving communities. A strong and diversified economic base that provides family-wage jobs is a significant component and contributor to healthy communities. Col-Pac's economic development activities focus on blending the natural resource-based industries in the region with new economic development opportunities that historically have not been part of the area's economy.

As an economic development district, Col-Pac provides capacity building, coordination and establishment of basic economic development foundation building tools for NW Oregon.
Member Description: Governed by a 17-member volunteer Board of Directors, Col-Pac consists of local public and private leaders including representatives from county commissions, cities, ports, the private sector, workforce, and the minority community. Col-Pac also has a seven member Loan Administration Board that oversees the District's Revolving Loan Fund.
Term: 2 years

Meetings: March of each year
Contact: Matt Craigie
503-846-8295

Farm Board of Review – 1 position available now and 1 position available after Jun 30, 2022

Description:  The Farm Board of Review is an advisory panel to the County assessor. The Board meets every other year to inform the Assessor regarding farm land rents and other information pertaining to the valuation of farmland for property taxation as provided by Oregon law.
Member Description: Five members with a knowledge of agricultural land rents and current farming practices who are residents of the county. Two members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners, and two members are appointed by the County Tax Assessor. The other member is appointed by these four members.
Term: 2 years
Contact: Garrison Winkle-Bryan
503-846-3929

Metzger Park Local Improvement District Advisory Board – 6 positions available now

Description:  Maintains a proud tradition of overseeing the only park in the County supported through a Local Improvement District. The Board plans and helps with park maintenance needs, deals with the administrative issues involved in running an active urban park.
Member Description: Nine members (seven regular and two alternates) who own property within the Metzger Park Local Improvement District.
Term: 3 years

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per month, 4 times per year

Meetings: Fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Carl Switzer
503-846-7001

Northwest Area Commission on Transportation (NWACT) – 2 positions available now

Description:  NWACT is an advisory body chartered by the Oregon Transportation Commission. NWACT addresses all aspects of transportation (surface, marine, air, and transportation safety) with primary focus on the state transportation system. NWACT considers regional and local transportation issues in northwest Oregon that affect the state system.

NWACT plays a key advisory role in the development of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which schedules funded transportation projects. NWACT establishes a public process for area project selection priorities for the STIP. Through that process, they prioritize transportation problems and solutions and recommend projects in their area to be included in the STIP.

Boundaries include: The entirety of Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties and the western portion of Washington County including the cities of Banks and Gaston. The Washington County area includes Highway 47 to the southern city limits of Gaston excluding the city of Forest Grove, the east on US 26 and including the Dersham Rd interchange.
Member Description: Two Citizen-At-Large representing western Washington County (including Banks and Gaston), selected by the county’s commissioners. Members are non-elected citizens selected from private interests including but not limited to freight, trucking, bicycle, pedestrian, public transportation system, public interest advocacy groups, environmental, land use, local citizens, business, education, minority organizations, public safety providers, non-profit organizations, etc.
Term: 2 years

Time Commitment: 1 to 2 hours per month

Meetings: Fourth Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Christina Deffebach
503-846-3406

Park and Recreation Advisory Board – 1 position available now and 3 positions available after Jun 30, 2022

Description:  Provides advice on the maintenance, operations, and capital development needs of County parks, including Scoggins Valley Park / Henry Hagg Lake.
Member Description: Nine members who are residents of the county. Traditionally members appointed from all Commissioner districts.
Term: 3 years

Time Commitment: 2 to 3 hours, 6 times per year

Meetings: Third Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Carl Switzer
503-846-7001

Rural Roads Operations and Maintenance Advisory Committee (RROMAC) – 3 positions available now

Description:  RROMAC studies rural road operations and maintenance concerns in Washington County, works with County staff to develop program and funding alternatives and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.
Member Description: Twelve members who reside or have business interests in the county, all of whom serve as regular members and are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. In addition, there are two ex-officio members: one Commissioner appointed by the Board of Commissioners, and the LUT Operations Division Manager. Members represent different groups with an interest in rural roads.
Term: 4 years

Time Commitment: Two hours per month

Meetings: Second Thursday, 7:30 a.m.
Contact: Sherri McFall
503-846-7615

Urban Road Maintenance District Advisory Committee (URMDAC) – 1 position available now

Description:  URMDAC advises the Board and staff on matters related to road maintenance provided by the Urban Road Maintenance District (URMD). URMDAC reviews and makes recommendations regarding URMD's level of service and annual work program, assists in evaluating the cost effectiveness and efficiency of URMD, assists in informing URMD activities and advises on continuation of URMD and/or other long-range funding opportunities for road maintenance.
Member Description: URMDAC is comprised of ten (10) residents of the Urban Road Maintenance District, all of whom serve as regular members and are appointed by the Board. In addition, there are two ex-officio members: one Commissioner appointed by the Board of Commissioners, and the LUT Operations Division Manager. Members represent different groups with an interest in roads within the Urban Road Maintenance District.
Term: 4 Years

Time Commitment: Two hours per month

Meetings: Third Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.
Contact: Sherri McFall
503-846-7615

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