Public testimony focuses on rule-of-law resolution and transitional-housing transparency as commissioners adopt proclamation, approve road vacation

Washington County commissioners heard extended public testimony March 3 on a proposed "rule of law" resolution and on transparency concerns tied to transitional-housing projects, then moved through ceremonial business and a land-use action.

Public comment: Several speakers used the board’s first public-comment period to urge action or raise concerns about a proposed rule-of-law resolution and related legislative questions. Mark Becker urged the board to adopt an amendment supporting Senate Bill 33470 (the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act), saying the measure would expand civil remedies for constitutional violations by federal officers. Other speakers—including Marilyn Turner, Michael Donahue and Nellie McAdams (representing Friends of Smart Growth)—urged transparency about county positions on planning and urban-reserve designations and criticized past county testimony on bills they said affect rural reserves.

Proclamation and community testimony: The board then hosted a proclamation recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. County Director of Health and Human Services Mira Simental and program manager Kirsten Oster introduced the proclamation; Ahmed El Zubaidi shared a family account of improved outcomes after receiving services with Arabic-language casework. "When we began working with an Arabic speaking case worker, something shifted," El Zubaidi said, crediting language access with better outcomes for his brother.

Land-use action: County Engineer Stacy Shetler presented a staff report on vacating a portion of County Road 598 north of Banks (Vacation No. 574). Shetler said maintenance and access easements would remain, notified adjacent property owners per statute (including ODOT) and reported no known opposition. After opening and closing the public hearing with no speakers, the board adopted the vacation resolution unanimously, 5–0.

Second public comment period: In the meeting’s second comment period, Melissa Laird, chair of the Public Safety Coordinating Council, urged the board to confront systemic strain across the public-safety system, citing recent figures (3,566 forced releases last year and a rise in failures to appear from about 3,500 pre‑COVID to more than 11,400 last year) and warning that state-level shortfalls shift costs to counties. Jill Latray urged the board to follow the county strategic plan’s commitment to transparent election administration and requested a meeting to discuss outstanding concerns about election processes. Megan Hill repeated her request for a board work session on the Cornell Road transitional-housing project and asked for a fee waiver for long-pending public-records requests if documents are not already publicly posted.

Board action and next steps: The board adopted the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month proclamation and approved the County Road 598 vacation by unanimous votes. Commissioners also reviewed scheduling for upcoming work sessions and meetings and adjourned the business meeting.