Board of Commissioners Worksession Aug 31st, 2026

The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners held a work session on August 31, 2026, focusing primarily on the drinking water investigation roadmap project addressing nitrate contamination in domestic wells. The session included a detailed presentation on various drinking water supply options, including municipal connections, non-municipal small community systems, and bulk water delivery systems, with associated capital and operating cost estimates. The discussion highlighted the need for a centralized drinking water board to oversee ongoing outreach, project tracking, and funding coordination. Commissioners debated the structure, funding, and responsibilities of such a board, emphasizing the complexity and long timelines for implementation. Additionally, the meeting covered several procurement and contracting items, including development code updates, intergovernmental agreements, annual payments for sheriff's office services, a radio contract with public health, and support for local infrastructure projects such as a football field land swap and accessibility improvements. The board also discussed fee waivers for fire-damaged dwellings to facilitate rebuilding efforts. No formal votes were recorded during the session, but action items included scheduling further discussions and acknowledging the drinking water roadmap report.