County Boards Seek Candidates

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 20, 2011

The following boards are currently seeking applications for new members:  

Enhanced Sheriff Patrol District Budget Committee (2 current vacancies, not appointed by Commissioner District)

Reviews the proposed budget developed for the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District in unincorporated Washington County.  

Membership: Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county.  The five residents must live in the ESPD.  

Meeting Times: 2 meetings each May  

Term Length: 3 years

Urban Road Maintenance District Budget Committee (2 current vacancies, not appointed by Commissioner District)

Reviews the proposed budget developed for the Urban Roads Maintenance District in unincorporated Washington County.  

Membership: Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county. The five residents must live in the URMD.  

Meeting Times: 2 meetings each May  

Term Length: 3 years

North Bethany County Service District Budget Committee (5 vacancies, not appointed by Commissioner District)

Reviews the proposed budget developed for the North Bethany County Service District in unincorporated Washington County.  

Membership: Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county. The five residents must live in the NBCSD.  

Meeting Times: 2 meetings each May  

Term Length: 3 years

Fair Board (1 term to expire 12/31/11)

The Fair Board's primary function is to oversee the planning, preparation and production of the County Fair. The Fair Board will develop both short and long-term plans for the promotion and production of the County Fair and provide input to the County's Facilities Maintenance Plan of the Fairgrounds.  The Fair Board meets monthly.           

Membership: The Fair Board is comprised of seven members that are selected from a variety of interests determined by the Board of Commissioners, including: Agriculture, Livestock, Youth/Education, Exhibitors/Vendors, Urban Agriculture. 

In lieu of a citizen representative, one member may be from the Board of Commissioners.  

Meeting Times: 1 meeting each month  

Term Length: 3 years

Fairgrounds Advisory Committee – 4 vacancies

The Fairgrounds Advisory Committee provides input on the priorities and development of the Fairgrounds Master Plan, and other plans including: capital projects, maintenance, non-fair marketing and other strategic initiatives.  As advocates, this committee works with local partners and the community at-large to communicate and encourage participation in Fairground developments.  

Membership: Nine members who represent the county geographically and in fields of interest or occupation. Two members are ex officio: a member of the Board of Commissioners and the President of the Fair Board (or designee).  

Meeting Times: TBD  

Term Length: 2 years

Cultural Coalition of Washington County (6 terms to expire 12/31/11)

Description: CCWC administers distribution of any state funds distributed to Washington County from the Community Cultural Participation Grant Program of the Oregon Cultural Trust. The CCWC distributes funds through a competitive process to Washington County based organizations and artists to address priorities identified in the Washington County Cultural Plan.  

Membership: Between nine and fifteen members who reside in Washington County or are members of a business or organization significantly involved in arts, heritage or humanities activities in Washington County.  

Term Length: 3 years

Homeless Plan Advisory Committee (1 vacancy, 5 terms to expire 12/31/11)

Description: The Homeless Plan Advisory Committee will be comprised of members who have authority within their agency/jurisdiction to make policy and budget decisions that impact the community's housing and supportive service system. The Committee will provide high-level oversight to the implementation of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, encourage collaborative partnership building, provide guidance to the annual work plan, work to create resources and funding, and promote and sustain the vision and leadership of the 10-Year Plan. The committee will be advisory to the county Homeless Program Coordinator, the Director of Housing Services, the County Administrator, and the Board of County Commissioners.    

Membership: The 17-member committee includes a representatives from each of the following categories: Washington County Commissioner official, a mayor or city councilor, philanthropy, business, Housing Authority of Washington County, a nonprofit housing provider, a nonprofit service provider, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Washington County Community Corrections, state or federal entitlement/mainstream resource programs, a representative from the two major hospitals, a representative from the faith community, 3 citizens at-large and a homeless/formerly homeless consumer.  

Term Length: 3 years  

Rural Roads Operations & Maintenance Advisory Committee (1 vacancy, 5 regular and 1 alternate terms to expire 12/1/11)

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. 

Membership: Ten members and two alternates who reside or have business interests in the county. The Board of Commissioners also appoints one of their members to be on the committee although they are not an official member. Members represent different groups that have an interest in rural roads.  

Time Commitment: 2 hours per month  

Term Length: 4 years  

Urban Roads Maintenance District Advisory Committee (2 terms to expire 1/1/12, 2 alternate vacancies)

Description: The Urban Road Maintenance Advisory Committee (URMDAC) advises the board and staff on matters related to road maintenance provided by the URMD. This group reviews and makes recommendations regarding service levels and annual work programs, assists in evaluating the cost effectiveness and efficiency of URMD, and advises on continuation of URMD and/or other long-range funding opportunities for road maintenance.

Membership: URMDAC is comprised of 8 residents of the Urban Road Maintenance District appointed by the Board. 2 alternate members will also be appointed. Eligible candidates will live in urban unincorporated Washington County.

Time Commitment: 2 hours per month  

Term Length: 3 years

Per Board of Commissioner procedures, nominations will be solicited for these committees for a six-week period or until filled. The County Administrative Office will work with the affiliated departments to solicit applications from qualified individuals. Staff will keep the Commissioners apprised of applications received and of approaching deadlines. As specified in the revised "Recruitment, Selection & 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 November 22, 2011, or when all vacancies are filled. Applications may be obtained by visiting the Web site or by calling (503) 846-8685. Descriptions of all the boards can also be found on the Boards and Commissions Web site.

Boards, committees and commissions advise the Board of Commissioners on matters of interest to people who live and work in Washington County. Committees themselves do not pass ordinances or establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. Members must be residents of Washington County. Serving on an appointed board or commission is a great way for Washington County residents to participate in decisions that affect them and to learn more about how local government works.

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