APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CLATSOP COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION OPENINGS

Clatsop County invites applications for two upcoming openings on its Planning Commission. 

 

The Planning Commission is the county’s committee for citizen involvement on development and land use issues, such as zoning, natural resources, transportation, natural hazards, economic development, housing, farm and forest lands and coastal zones. The commission makes land use decisions on variances, conditional uses and subdivisions. It also makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on amendments to the comprehensive plan and its implementing ordinances. The Planning Commission regularly meets the second Tuesday of each month, in Astoria.

Clatsop Community College Fire Engine Makes its Debut

The Clatsop Community College Fire Science Program has acquired its own fire engine for training purposes. The engine was displayed with its new number, lettering, colors and logo on Wednesday at the high school job fair at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds. The engine’s new graphics were designed and applied by Jeff Miller of Red Dwarf Graphics in Astoria. The engine was donated to the college by the Pacific County Fire District #1.

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS HONOR COUNTY VOLUNTEERS

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, April 8 honored Volunteer of the Year recipients and recognized the more than 600 citizens who donate their time to the county.
The board approved a proclamation declaring April 12-18 to be Volunteer Week in Clatsop County.
In 2014, 631 volunteers provided a total of 22,619 hours of service to the county, representing a value of $482,921.
Individual Volunteer of the Year is Shannon Danen, who was honored for his 19 years of work with the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office Underwater Recovery Team. Currently Team Leader, Danen has led multiple recovery missions, and his knowledge and experience allows the Sheriff's Office to provide closure to families of individuals who have died in tragic accidents.

ATV INSTRUCTION DATES IN CLATSOP COUNTY

Clatsop County Sheriff's Office All Terrain Vehicle Instruction Courses scheduled for the remainder of 2015.
5/26/2015
2 hour Youth Evaluation 8am - 10am
4 hour all ages Instruction Course 12pm - 4pm
7/25/15
4 hour all ages Instruction Course 8am - 12pm
2 hour Youth Evaluation 12pm - 2pm
9/26/2015
4 hour all ages Instruction Course 8am - 12pm
2 hour Youth Evaluation 12pm - 2pm
11/21/2015
4 hour all ages Instruction Course 8am - 12pm
2 hour Youth Evaluation
* Maximum class size of 6
* Register for 2 hour evaluation at www.oregonatvsafety.com
* Register for 4 hour Instruction Course at www.atvsafety.org
* Youth under 16 looking for "Hands on Requirement" need to sign up for one of the classes; do not need to take both
* 2 hour evaluation is for riders with plenty of previous riding experience
* 4 hour class is for new riders
* All riders must have their Oregon ATV Rider Card prior to class. The card is available free through an online power point at www.rideatvoregon.com
* If you have any questions please contact Deputy Justin Dersham at 503-325-8635.

PUBLIC MEETINGS SET TO DESIGN 2017 OREGON HEALTH PLANS

Oregonians who want to participate in the process of setting the essential health benefits and standard plan design for 2017 health insurance plans can attend the first meeting of the Essential Health Benefits Rulemaking Advisory Committee. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 10, at the Labor and Industries Building in Salem.
Essential health benefits are a set of health care services that all health insurance plans in the individual and small group markets that are subject to the Affordable Care Act's market reforms must cover with no annual or lifetime dollar limits. Essential health benefits are defined by a benchmark plan selected by the Department of Consumer and Business Services that reflects a "typical employer plan" available in Oregon. Oregon must notify the federal government of its benchmark plan selection in June 2015.

OREGON PROPERTY TAX DEFERRAL PAPERWORK DUE APRIL 15

Oregonians eligible for disabled or senior citizen property tax deferral programs have three weeks left to file paperwork.

Bronson Rueda, deferral program manager at the Department of Revenue, said in a statement that for taxes to be paid in November, taxpayers need to meet the April 15 deadline.  This applies to participants who received re certification forms by mail in February and new applicants for deferral. If forms are not submitted by the deadline, property taxes will have to be paid this year.   

The deferral program allows eligible senior citizens and people with disabilities to have the state of Oregon pay property taxes on their behalf until they move, sell their home, or die. Eligibility criteria must be met.  A lien is placed on the participant’s home, and all taxes, interest, and fees must be repaid before the lien is removed. Oregon's deferral programs have approximately 6,300 active participants.

Clatsop County Board of Commissioners Highlights Wednesday, March 25, 2015 meeting

 The Board of Clatsop County Commissioners met Wednesday, March 25th.

Business action included the approval to approve the annexation of the City of Cannon Beach into the 4-H and Extension Service District.  In November, Cannon Beach voters elected to annex the city into the district, which coverall of ClatsopCounty iwth the exception of Cannon Beach.
The board adopted a new county-wide fee schedule covering charges for various serviced in 13 departments, offices and divisions.  The fees are based on information gathered through a study conducted by consultants MGT America that examined the offices' costs to provide services and comparable fees in other jurisdictions.  The new fee rates will take effect July 1.

In other business the board:
-Appointed Cindy Johnsen and Robin Resley to the Clatsop County Planning Commission.
-Proclained March 22-28 as Tsunami Preparedness Week.