Message from County Administrator Allison Williams

Hood River County experienced another remarkable year. At the January Board of Commissioner meeting, I highlighted the top three accomplishments of County’s departments and the Sheriff’s Office for 2025. While it’s too much to detail in this E-News, interested individuals can find that list here.

Additionally, the County’s partners achieved significant regional successes that addressed critical needs, including transportation, housing and wildfire mitigation. Our County developed a Legislative Agenda, created related advocacy materials, and actively advocated with our partners for the needs of the County. I’m pleased to report that our efforts successfully placed Hood River County on the legislative map!

Regional Wins

• The Hood River White Salmon Bridge Authority’s Record of Decision approved environmental work, allowing the project to move forward.
• Regional emergency coordination improved throughout the year, as we identified training and inter-jurisdictional communications needs related to emergency preparedness following the Rowena Fire.
• The region secured the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership grant which will fund regional wildfire mitigation projects.
• Construction of Mariposa Village is currently underway, providing essential affordable housing units for our community.

Notable Efforts of County-wide Importance

Many County departments make a significant impact on the entire community. Public Works ensures that county roads, bridges, and infrastructure are maintained and safe. The Health Department works to mitigate infectious diseases and conducts food safety inspections at local eating establishments. The Sheriff’s Office enforces laws, supports search and rescue for our recreational community on the mountains and in the water, keeps 911 operational for emergencies, and coordinates Emergency Management.

Here are a few highlights of recent projects that have made positively impacts Countywide.

• 911 will soon go live with an upgraded Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) program, enhancing capabilities for all first responders in the community.
• The Mid-Columbia Interagency Narcotics Team (MINT) became fully staffed and operational in mid-2025. Since then, the partnership between Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties has made solid progress executing search warrants and arrests to combat the regional illicit drugs trade.
• Community Development’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program has served critical needs during natural disasters, including wildfires and flood threats.
• Emergency Management’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan received the American Planning Association's Award for Innovation.
• The Health Department led the Ambulance Service Plan update, ensuring efficient, coordinated and effective emergency transport for all residents.

Emergency Managements Hood River County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan were awarded the American Planning Association’s Award for Innovation.

911 Dispatch will soon implement a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system that will improve first responder capabilities.

Department-Focused Efforts

County departments including Assessment, Records and Elections, the District Attorney’s Office, Forestry, Justice Court, Juvenile, Technology Services, and Human Resources, work hard providing services to our citizens. Here are a few noteworthy highlights from their first quarter reports:

• The Community Development Department is fully staffed for the first time since 2024, reopening the Planning Department front counter for planner assistance five days a week.
• Forestry conducted timber sales totaling around 9.6 million board feet, which is expected to return around $3.9 million to the County Timber Deposit Fund. Additionally, 200,000 trees were planted across 500 acres to ensure forest sustainability.
• Forestry also administered or completed work on $2.95 million in grants this past year to enhance recreational opportunities and expand the County Forest land.
• Public Works developed an updated bridge assessment which created a prioritized list of needed bridge improvements and coordinated with the School District and partners to create an updated Safe Routes to School Plan for the County.
• The County’s elections once again proved to be effective, representational and safe while observers were invited in to review the process of counting ballots.
• As a County, we made significant progress on our Strategic Plan which emphasizes the vital role we play in the lives of our residents and visitors.

The County’s elections once again proved to be effective, representational and safe.

Forestry conducted timber sales totaling around 9.6 million board feet.

In conclusion, Hood River County provides unique and essential services, often providing a safety net for the community, performing vital, even life-saving work. However, it’s important to note that the County’s property tax and grant resources do not adequately cover basic needs. I will share more on this topic soon. This newsletter highlights more great programs of Hood River County, enjoy!