Commissioners add protection to CCNO transportation contract after ODOT funding uncertainty; insert cancellation language
June 25, 2025 | Baker County, Oregon
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Baker County commissioners voted June 2025 to require an added provision to the county’s service agreement with Community Connections of Northeast Oregon (CCNO) that would allow the county to cancel the contract without further obligation if the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) fails to reimburse the county for grant-funded transportation services.
The amendment followed a legal development: commissioners and county counsel reported that a federal court issued a preliminary injunction on June 19, 2025 that blocks enforcement, for now, of a U.S. Department of Transportation funding condition related to immigration enforcement. Because of that injunction and related uncertainty about whether and when federal transportation dollars will flow to ODOT and then to regional providers, county counsel warned that contracts tied to those reimbursements carry financial risk.
County counsel recommended adding a single clarifying sentence to paragraph 18 of the public-transportation purchase-services contract: “The failure of ODOT to reimburse in any year for any reason is considered good cause for the county to cancel the agreement with no further obligations to the contractor.” The board approved adding the sentence and authorized the chair to sign an amendment or sign out of session once CCNO agrees.
Legal and staff presenters explained the practical effect: if the county pays CCNO for one quarter of services and ODOT then fails to reimburse, the new sentence clarifies the county could cancel the agreement and not be obliged to cover further amounts. Commissioners emphasized they do not want the county to assume indefinite financial exposure should the state or federal reimbursements be delayed or rescinded.
The board directed county counsel and staff to seek the amendment with CCNO and to coordinate with ODOT and regional associations (NACO, AOC and EOCA) to advocate for timely funding. The motion adding the amendment language carried by unanimous voice vote.
The amendment followed a legal development: commissioners and county counsel reported that a federal court issued a preliminary injunction on June 19, 2025 that blocks enforcement, for now, of a U.S. Department of Transportation funding condition related to immigration enforcement. Because of that injunction and related uncertainty about whether and when federal transportation dollars will flow to ODOT and then to regional providers, county counsel warned that contracts tied to those reimbursements carry financial risk.
County counsel recommended adding a single clarifying sentence to paragraph 18 of the public-transportation purchase-services contract: “The failure of ODOT to reimburse in any year for any reason is considered good cause for the county to cancel the agreement with no further obligations to the contractor.” The board approved adding the sentence and authorized the chair to sign an amendment or sign out of session once CCNO agrees.
Legal and staff presenters explained the practical effect: if the county pays CCNO for one quarter of services and ODOT then fails to reimburse, the new sentence clarifies the county could cancel the agreement and not be obliged to cover further amounts. Commissioners emphasized they do not want the county to assume indefinite financial exposure should the state or federal reimbursements be delayed or rescinded.
The board directed county counsel and staff to seek the amendment with CCNO and to coordinate with ODOT and regional associations (NACO, AOC and EOCA) to advocate for timely funding. The motion adding the amendment language carried by unanimous voice vote.
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