BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' Work Session Meeting July 13th, 2026

The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners held a work session on July 13, 2026, primarily discussing community projects and solid waste management issues. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Echo Heritage Association's efforts to preserve the historic St. Peters church, including property acquisitions and fundraising activities. The board also reviewed a proposed 14% rate increase request from Waste Connections for solid waste collection services, which sparked detailed discussions about past rate increases, financial justifications, and comparisons with other regional haulers. Commissioners considered the possibility of commissioning a third-party audit to clarify financials and discussed the impact of rate increases on constituents. Additionally, the meeting covered various procurement-related items such as authorization of an RFP for kitchen floor repairs in the jail, awarding an RFP for bridge purchases, and purchasing ATVs for public works. Other topics included grant updates, public health staffing, and signage purchases for county facilities. No formal votes were taken during this work session, but several action items were identified for future meetings, including further discussions on solid waste rates and procurement approvals.