Subcommittee reviews outreach options to reach underserved communities

Staff laid out a multi-pronged public engagement strategy for the joint rate‑setting effort: live virtual input meetings (webinars with presentation and Q&A), in‑person open houses in Oregon and Washington, an online open house (static page with comment boxes), continuing comment channels (email, voicemail, website), tabling at events and briefings, and targeted outreach through community‑based organizations with translation and interpretation services.

Carl and Aaron emphasized that reaching historically underserved and underrepresented communities would require staffing capacity to provide interpreters, translation, and work with trusted community organizations. Commissioners asked that staff be proactive in identifying communities and making clear how and when stakeholders can engage; several commissioners said the spring/early summer 2027 scenario release is the best window to test multiple options with affected groups.

Staff noted that the subcommittee could refine specifics at subsequent meetings and that the approach should be coordinated with project partners (WSDOT, ODOT, IVR program, local agencies) to ensure timing aligns with the broader project schedule.