Hood River County 101
Wildfire Protection Plan | Hood River County 101 | May’s Primary Election | County Campgrounds Opening | Emergency Manager Katie Skakel
April is National County Government Month, celebrating county governments and the essential services they provide that directly impact residents’ daily lives, including public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure. As the closest level of government to the people, counties are also able to collaborate with state and federal partners to create vibrant communities.
Hood River County recently launched the Hood River County 101 presentation to share its story. If you would find it valuable for your organization, please email our Administration office at administration@hoodrivercounty.gov. You can find the PowerPoint document at this link.
The presentation covers funding, departmental services, and challenges such as capital needs, budget limitations, and tourism impacts.
Hood River County is the second smallest county in Oregon by area, yet it is notable that 75% of the county is classified as tax exempt or has exemption status. Additionally, it has the 14th highest per capita tax burden among the state’s 36 counties (see accompanying map). As Williams states, “There is a perception that we are a wealthy county because of our median income. However, the reality is that we have a mix of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots,’ making the equitable consideration of revenue sources paramount for our County.”
Hood River County is the second smallest county in Oregon by area, and 75% of the county is classified as tax exempt or has exemption status. The $84,500 median income is deceiving because 46% of households make less than $75,000 annual, and 10% of residents live in poverty.
Key points include:
- Overview of County funding, illustrated in General Fund revenue and expenditure categories.
- Current County workforce of 154 employees.
- Functions of County departments in delivering services to residents.
County Departments Operations
Assessment Records & Elections – responsible for maintaining property records and archives, property appraisals, calculating taxes, and applying tax rates, as well as issuing marriage licenses, registering voters, and conducting local, state, and federal elections.
Budget & Finance – oversees accounting, payroll, the annual budget process, treasury services for the County and its districts, among other financial responsibilities.
Community Development – the Planning Department, guided by the Planning Commission, addresses land use, the comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and code compliance. The Building Department manages building applications, permits and inspections. The County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) also falls under this department.
District Attorney – responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases and collaborates with law enforcement, the courts, and social services. They provide legal support for law enforcement and assistance to victims.
Forestry – manages 34,557 acres of forest, with over 30,000 acres used for timber production. Ten-year average forest receipts are projected to be $3.6 million for 2025-2026. The goal of the certified American Tree Farm is to generate steady revenue while protecting wildlife, water, and recreation.
Health & Human Services – provides essential services including Public Health (communicable disease, immunizations, maternal/child health, sexual and reproductive health), Environmental Health (water safety, food/lodging licenses), Prevention (substance abuse, mental health), Veterans Services, and Behavioral Health.
Justice Court – located in Cascade Locks, this court serves Hood River County and is overseen by an elected Justice of the Peace. This court handles traffic and vehicle, boating and wildlife, and minor civil and local violations.
Juvenile – promotes safety by reducing juvenile delinquency through accountability, intervention, and probation services.
Public Works, Parks & Buildings – responsible for maintaining 190 miles of county roads, over 20 bridges, and servicing over 250 fleet vehicles and equipment. The department also manages parks and facilities, responds to road hazards, and oversees engineering, and surveying.
Sheriff’s Office – responsible for enforcing laws, conducting patrols, investigations, marine and forest patrol, handling 911, emergency management and disaster recovery, search and rescue, and parole and probation.
In addition to these mandated services, the County offers numerous non-mandated services, plus regional support for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge replacement, Emergency Management and Communication, Wildfire Mitigation, and Affordable Housing.
This slide from the Hood River County 101 presentation illustrates how property tax dollars are distributed among the various taxing agencies. Hood River County receives less than 16% of property tax payments.
Capital Needs
Hood River County’s most urgent capital need is the replacement of the Courthouse, which is seismically deficient but essential for critical justice and public safety. The anticipated cost for this replacement is between $137 to $153 million.
2025 winter storms caused more than $435,000 in damage to roads and culverts
Additional pressing capital needs include the Neal Creek bridge replacement, the Powerdale Powerhouse removal and site restoration, as well as funding to maintain roads. Transportation needs are heightened as the county seeks funding to reduce flood risk, protect critical infrastructure, enhance public safety, and improve watershed heath.
Tourism Dilemma
Hood River County attracts over four million visitors each year, contributing approximately $102 million to the local economy. In 2025, the county received $299,316 in revenue from the Transient Room Tax, and $7,000 from short-term rental licenses. Revenue from recreational trail parking permits generated $106,000, with 82% of users coming from outside the 97031-zip code.
Supporting tourism necessitates significant investment in infrastructure, including roads, trails, public facilities, and emergency services such as search and rescue and marine patrol. Tourism-related taxes on lodging, food, and beverages help ensure that visitors share these costs, thereby reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers and minimizing reliance on unstable funding sources.
“We are eager to involve the public in discussions about what they value as we move forward and consider both the mandated and non-mandated services that the County provides,” Williams said.