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Boards and Commissions Vacancies Recruitment for Fall 2019

Boards and Commissioners Vacancies Recruitment - Fall 2019
Media release

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Sponsored by: Board of Commissioners, Board of Commissioners Division

Per Board of Commissioner procedures, nominations will be solicited for these committees for a six-week period or until the positions are filled. The County Administrative Office will 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.
Board Descriptions

Aging and Veteran Services Advisory Council – 2 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

Audit Committee – 1 position available now

Description: Independent oversight is critical to the effectiveness of financial statement audits. The Audit Committee monitors audits of the County's finances, in the belief that access to knowledgeable individuals help prevent an excessive reliance on the expertise of the external auditor.
Member Description: Five members who are knowledgeable of accounting and auditing as demonstrated by professional employment in accounting, auditing, or finance, including one appointee from the membership of the Board of County Commissioners.
Term: 3 Years
Time Commitment: The two meetings are scheduled for 90-minutes each and can run shorter (most likely) or longer (less likely). So total time commitment is three hours.
Meetings: One meeting after the start of the fiscal year (July) and prior to the start of field work (October). The second meeting is in January after the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is issued and prior to the Board accepting the financial statements at their first meeting in February.
Contact: Jack Liang, (503) 846-8756



Behavioral Health Council – 1 position available now

Description: 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: 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).
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: Sia Lindstrom, (503) 846-8853

Enhanced Sheriff Patrol District/Urban Road Maintenance District Budget Committee (ESPD/URMD) – 4 positions available now

Description: Reviews the proposed budget developed for the Enhanced Sheriff's Patrol District in unincorporated Washington County.
Member Description: Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county. Each County Commissioner appoints one member. The five residents must live within the ESPD boundaries.
Term: 3 years
Time Commitment: Approximately two three-hour meetings every May that total 6 hours; additional meetings may be added.
Meetings: One three-hour evening meeting the second week in May to receive the proposed budget; staff does an overview of the budget via a PowerPoint presentation. The start time is 5:30 p.m., presentations from the Sheriff's Office and Land Use & Transportation are given. The second meeting is a public hearing on a Thursday evening two weeks after the first meetings. This meeting typically takes the better part of three hours and there is a time certain at 7:00 p.m. when the public can testify. Upon completion of the staff presentations and any public testimony, the Budget Committee is asked to consider approving the proposed budget. There are some years when additional meeting(s) with the Budget Committee take place prior to the May meetings. These meetings are publicly noticed.
Contact: Jack Liang, (503) 846-8756


Fair Board – 1 position available after Dec 31, 2019

Description: 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.
Member Description: The Fair Board is comprised of seven members that are selected from a variety of interests determined by the Board of Commissioners, including, but not limited to: Agriculture, Livestock, Youth/Education, Exhibitors/Vendors, Urban Agriculture. In lieu of a citizen representative, one member may be from the Board of Commissioners.
Term: 3 years
Time Commitment: 2 to 3 hours per month
Meetings: First Wednesday of every other month, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm
Contact: Leah Perkins-Hagele, (503) 648-1416

Fairgrounds Advisory Committee – 3 positions available after Dec 31, 2019

Description: 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.
Member Description: 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)
Term: 3 Years
Contact: Leah Perkins-Hagele, (503) 648-1416

Homeless Plan Advisory Committee (HPAC) – 3 positions available now; 5 after Dec 31, 2019

Description: HPAC shall provide oversight to the implementation of the plan and leadership in the development of additional resources to meet the ambitious goals of A Road Home: 10-year Plan to End Homelessness. Work will include reviewing the annual Work Plan, recommendations to the Housing and Supportive Services Network, increasing public awareness, recruiting community partners to implement the plan, advocating for additional public and private funding and resources to implement the goals of the plan.

Member Description: 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: 3 years
Contact: Annette Evans, (503) 846-4760

Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) – 2 positions available now

Description: Providing affordable housing in Washington County is a formidable job. It is the mission of the HAC to advise the Housing Authority Board of Directors on housing goals policies, to review and recommend actions on the budgets of the Housing Authority, to advise regarding the community’s needs for low-income housing, and to recommend resources and programs available to address those needs.
Member Description: Fifteen members representing various groups, to include:
• Two (2) Members being assisted by the Housing Authority;
• One (1) Member involved in the Finance profession;
• One (1) Member representative of the Elderly;
• One (1) Member representative of Minority Groups;
• One (1) Member drawn from officials of Social Service organizations;
• One (1) Member drawn from either Design/Architectural/Engineer professions;
• One (1) Member drawn from Real Estate/Development/Construction;
• One (1) Member involved in Urban and Regional Planning;
• One (1) Member involved in Property Management;
• One (1) Member representing Veterans; and
• Four (4) Members at large.
Term: 4 Years
Time Commitment: 2 hours (minimum) each month
Meetings: Fourth Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Melisa Dailey, (503) 846-4773

Housing Authority Board of Directors – 1 position available after Dec 31, 2019

Description: The Housing Authority of Washington County is the legal entity that owns properties; and the Department of Housing Services is the County agency that operates the programs, works with developers and provides services to meet the housing needs of low-income people in Washington County. Facing ongoing reductions in federal housing support, the Housing Authority of Washington County and Department of Housing Services will continue to expand their entrepreneurial approach to funding low-income and affordable housing in Washington County. Partnerships are a key to the success of this work.
Member Description: The Housing Authority of Washington County Board of Directors is made up of the members of the Washington County Board of Commissioners plus two additional members: one member who is a resident assisted by the Housing Authority (Public Housing or Voucher program), and one At-Large position.
Term: 4 Years
Time Commitment: 1 hour per month.
Meetings: The first Tuesday of each month, as necessary.
Contact: Melisa Dailey, (503) 846-4773

Metzger Park Local Improvement District Advisory Board – 4 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, 7 times per year
Meetings: Fourth Monday at 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Carl Switzer, (503) 846-7001

North Bethany County Service District for Roads Budget Committee – 1 position available now

Description: Reviews the proposed budget developed for the North Bethany County Service District for Roads in unincorporated Washington County.
Member Description: The Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county. The five residents must live in the North Bethany CSDR.
Term: 3 years
Time Commitment: Approximately 6 hours every May; some other meetings are possible
Meetings: One three-hour evening meeting the second week in May to receive the proposed budget; staff does an overview of the budget via a PowerPoint presentation. The start time is 5:30 p.m., presentations from the Sheriff's Office and Land Use & Transportation are given. The second meeting is a public hearing on a Thursday evening two weeks after the first meetings. This meeting typically takes the better part of three hours and there is a time certain at 7:00 p.m. when the public can testify. Upon completion of the staff presentations and any public testimony, the Budget Committee is asked to consider approving the proposed budget. There are some years when additional meeting(s) with the Budget Committee take place prior to the May meetings. These meetings are publicly noticed.
Contact: Jack Liang, (503) 846-8756

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. 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
Meetings: Fourth Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Sia Lindstrom, (503) 846-8853


Park and Recreation Advisory Board – 3 positions available now

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, 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Andy Cameron, (503) 846-7002

Planning Commission – 3 positions available after Jan 31, 2020

Description: These nine appointed volunteers advise the Board of County Commissioners on land use and transportation planning issues. They conduct public hearings, make final decisions on some changes to land use plans, and convey recommendations to the Board on comprehensive plan and community development ordinances.
Member Description: Nine members who are residents of the county. Generally, two members are appointed by each Commissioner, and one by the Board Chair as an At-large appointment. No more than two members can be engaged principally in the buying, selling, or development of real estate. No more than two members can be engaged in the same occupation.
Term: 4 years
Time Commitment: 5 to 10 hours per month
Meetings: First Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Contact: Todd Borkowitz, (503) 846-3593

Public Health Advisory Council – 4 positions available after Jan 31, 2020

Description: The Council advises the Board of Commissioners in its role as the Board of Health for Washington County, makes recommendations to the Board and the Public Health Division Manager on health matters, and serves as a liaison between the community and Board.
Member Description: Comprised of sixteen members, including state licensed health care practitioners and persons well-informed in public health matters; All members shall be residents of or working in Washington County. (Not included in this count is a non-appointed, non-voting position from the Washington County Board of Commissioners.)
Term: 4 years
Time Commitment: 2 hours monthly
Meetings: At least 10 times annually; to be determined by initial membership vote
Contact: Tricia Mortell, (503) 846-4745

Rainbow Lane Special Road District Board – 1 position available after Dec 31, 2019

Description: The Rainbow Lane Special Road District was formed to provide a representing body that could make decisions regarding road maintenance issues on Rainbow Lane and Patricia Lane. These two roads are public roads, as opposed to County Roads, and are not eligible for gas tax and road fund expenditures, consequently their road maintenance must be funded by the adjoining and benefiting properties.
Member Description: Three members who are residents of the Rainbow Lane Special Road District.
Term: 3 years
Contact: Sherri McFall, (503) 846-7615

Rural Roads Operations and Maintenance Advisory Committee (RROMAC) – 3 positions available after Dec 31, 2019

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: Ten members and two alternates who reside or have business interests in the county. The Board of Commissioners also appoints one of their members as a liaison to the committee although they are not an official member. Members represent different groups that have an interest in rural roads.
Term: 4 years

Time Commitment: 2 hours per month

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

Urban Road Maintenance District Advisory Committee (URMDAC) – 2 positions available now and 4 positions available after Dec 31, 2019

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 eight (8) residents of the Urban Road Maintenance District appointed by the Board. Two (2) alternate members are also appointed. URMDAC is similar in function to the long-standing Rural Roads Operations and Maintenance Advisory Committee (RROMAC). Eligible candidates must be residents of the Urban Road Maintenance District.
Term: 3 years
Time Commitment: 2 to 4 hours of meeting and preparation time per month
Meetings: Third Wednesday, 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Sherri McFall, (503) 846-7615

Washington County and SDL No.1 Budget Committee – 2 positions available now

Description: Reviews the proposed County budget submitted by the budget officer each fiscal year.
Member Description: Board of Commissioners plus five residents of the county. Each Commissioner/district is allocated an appointment; however the representative does not need to reside in the Commissioner's district.
Term: 3 years
Time Commitment: Approximately two three-hour meetings every May that total 6 hours; additional meetings may be added.
Meetings: One three-hour evening meeting the second week in May to receive the proposed budget; staff does an overview of the budget via a PowerPoint presentation. The start time is 5:30 p.m., presentations from the Sheriff's Office and Land Use & Transportation are given. The second meeting is a public hearing on a Thursday evening two weeks after the first meetings. This meeting typically takes the better part of three hours and there is a time certain at 7:00 p.m. when the public can testify. Upon completion of the staff presentations and any public testimony, the Budget Committee is asked to consider approving the proposed budget. There are some years when additional meeting(s) with the Budget Committee take place prior to the May meetings. These meetings are publicly noticed.
Contact: Jack Liang, (503) 846-8756

The application deadline is November 26, 2019, or open until filled. Applications may be obtained by visiting the Boards and Commissions website.


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 to establish policy; their purpose is to study issues and make recommendations. Commission members are volunteers appointed by the County Board of Commissioners. In many cases, 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.

Media Contact:

Tricia Kennedy, Senior Administrative Specialist
(503) 846-6284
[email protected]