Polk County Commn OKs Local CoC Plan

By Sarah Owens and Michael Livingston

Polk Co Commn work session on CoC structural issues 3/19/19

Polk County Commissioners Ainsworth, Pope and Mordhorst have given "consensus agreement" to a plan to re-form a local CoC.  They made that decision following an hour-long presentation by Mid Willamette Valley Council of Governments Executive Director Sean O'Day and consultant Janet Carlson.  Carlson is a former Marion County Commissioner.

The presentation was given during a well-attended work session on March 19.

Polk County's agreement leads the way for Marion County and Salem, who have the matter under consideration, according to statements made by Marion County Commissioner Colm Willis at the recent State of the County address, and by Salem City Manager, Steve Powers.  (For background on this initiative, see "ROCC: Leave or Remain" and "ROCC Fissures Continue to Grow.")

City Manager's Update, 13 March 2019

The Marion County Commission held a work session on February 19.  It was received favorably, but no action was taken.  Yamhill County is scheduled to have the presentation on April 23.  The probable next step for communities that support re-forming the local CoC would be for their elected representatives to authorize the execution of a resolution to that effect -- with many more steps needed after that.  At a minimum, Salem and Marion County would need to join Polk County in order to move the plan forward. 

5/24/19 Update: On April 24, the Polk County Board of Commissioners passed resolution 19-05, in support of forming a regional CoC.  The Marion County BOC passed a similar resolution at its May 22 meeting, and the Salem City Council is expected to follow suit on June 10.