Commissioner Baney with her daughter Addy, Dad Earl and step-Mom Judy, at the Statesman award dinner

Deschutes County commissioner and AOC President Tammy Baney was named "Statesman of the Year" by the Oregon Business Association at the Annual Statesman Dinner on Friday, October 12.

Celebrating leaders who put policy before party for the greater good was the theme of the night as the Oregon Business Association honored a team of 11 "Health Care Heroes" with its prestigious Statesman of the Year Award.

Each year, OBA presents its Statesman award to leaders and visionaries who exemplify the definition of Statesman as one who promotes the common good of the citizens of Oregon with great wisdom and integrity.

The 2012 OBA Statesman of the Year Award Honorees are:

Two county witnesses brought a sense of urgency to the question of the effect of House Bill 2712 (2011) on the future of Justice of the Peace Courts. Last week, a joint legislative committee and task force on the structure of state courts revenue met to examine the practical effects of changing fine and fee distributions this year among the state and local courts. In an attempt to simplify distribution of fees and fines and to restore fairness to the public in sentencing, HB 2712 folded current types of fines and fees into a "presumptive fine" and mandated that the first $60 collected be paid to the State. Although the details of the distribution changes are highly complex, Linn County Justice of the Peace Jad Lemhouse and Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan informed the committee that the immediate effect has been to sharply reduce revenues for Justice Courts. Among other things, HB 2712 increased the priority payment to the State from $37 per fine to $60. Part of that $60 is returned to county programs previously funded by assessments on violations, but the effect is to reduce county funds available for Justice Courts and related enforcement programs.

Judge Lemhouse testified that since HB 2712 took effect on January 1, 2012, the revenue drain has increased to as much as 35 percent of court revenue. Mr. Jordan pointed out that the fall in revenue must be addressed urgently, because without a change Jackson County  will be forced to close its Justice Court by June 30, 2013 and end its highly successful eight-member traffic team, which has significantly reduced traffic-related deaths.

Without a quorum, the committee could take no formal action, but members took note of the county testimony. The committee meets next on December 12th, during Legislative Days.

County Road officials and Surveyors met in Bend for their Fall Conference on October 22 and 23. The group heard an update on the new federal transportation Act (MAP-21) implementation from Travis Brouwer (ODOT Federal Affairs) and George Fekaris (Federal Highway Administration). They also learned about services offered by the Association of Oregon Counties to improve road management and potential cost savings. The group talked about services dealing with video logging, pavement management, and chip seal reports. Attendees had a good discussion on potential future county road program services and the timetable for selection of the County Road Program Manager since Jon Oshel will be retiring in July 2013. Kevin Haas (ODOT) spoke on how systematic safety improvements can lower traffic accidents on rural roads. Surveyors heard presentations on Donation Land Claims and transportation issues.

Jon Oshel, Engineer of the Year

Congratulations to the Recipients of the OACES annual achievement awards:

Engineer of the Year - Jon Oshel, AOC

Surveyor of the Year - Kerry Bradshaw, Jackson County (awarded posthumously)

Award of Merit - Burke O'Brien, Public Works Director, Morrow County

Award of Merit - Carl Clinton, County Surveyor, Clackamas County

New Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Program Expands Statewide 

Distressed homeowners throughout Oregon can now apply for up to $20,000 to pay

off past-due payments and become current on their mortgage. The Loan Preservation Assistance (LPA) Program was piloted earlier this year in select Oregon counties and is now available statewide. The program aims to help more than 2,000 Oregon homeowners avoid foreclosure by bringing their mortgages current. More...

A new organization has been formed with the emergence of CCOs. The stated goal of COOregon is to collaborate with CCOs, CCO members, consumers, providers and other health reform advocates to share information, network, explore best practices, and coordinate with state efforts to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost curve. 

CCOOregon is planning an event in early January called Transforming Care. This event will bring CCO representatives from around the state as well as national speakers to discuss health care transformation in Oregon. We'll bring you more information as this event draws near. 

Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) Recruitment 

$1.4 million dollars has been awarded to 21 Oregon counties to provide resources and capabilities for responding to terrorism through the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP). The SHSP is provided through FEMA and focuses on responders including emergency management, law enforcement, fire protection, public health, 911 programs, and others. More...