County Forestry participated in the Neal Creek Restoration Project led by Hood River Watershed Group.
STORIES THIS ISSUE:
FEMA County Flood Maps | Snow Removal | Hazard Mitigation Plan | Key 2024 Achievements | Health Department Serves Thousands | Section of Neal Creek enhanced
FEMA County Flood Maps | Snow Removal | Hazard Mitigation Plan | Key 2024 Achievements | Health Department Serves Thousands | Section of Neal Creek enhanced
Key achievements for Hood River County in 2024
County Administrator Allison Williams presented a summary of the County’s notable accomplishments in a 2024 Year in Review to the Board of Commissioners at its January 21st meeting. The summary follows:
- Conducted a clean-up of the Powerdale property, designated the area as a park, and initiated a brownfield assessment.
- Declared a state of emergency as a result of the January 2024 ice storm, and carried out property repairs to ensure 24/7 operations. FEMA funding assisted.
- Completed the replacement of the HVAC system at County Administration Building.
- New Commissioner Chad Muenzer was appointed and later elected.
- Participated in a joint meeting with the Hood River City Council to begin the annexation review process.
- Initiated a facility review and space needs analysis for the Hood River County Courthouse.
- Completed kitchen renovations of the Adult Center in partnership with MCEDD and funded by a HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
 Parkdale plan |
 Hazard Mitigation Plan |
 Website Refresh |
- Strategic Plan associated new hires: Grants Manager, IT Tech Support, HR Generalist.
- Hired a new Public Works Director and completed the 2024 chip-seal program.
- Collaborated in the Suicide Prevention Town Hall.
- Adopted the Parkdale Unincorporated Community Plan.
- Established the Ambulance Service Area plan committee with a plan update underway.
- Added a grant-funded DUII prosecutor.
- Public Safety Levy 14-82 passed with 73.5% approval alongside an overall successful elections process.
- Renewed the public safety contract with Cascade Locks.
- Renewed the animal control contract with the City of Hood River.
- Celebrated the opening of the Mitchell Creek tunnel.
- Revamped processes for the Oregon Region 1 Area Commission on Transportation (R1ACT), and updated appointments.
- Completed the 2023-2024 audit on time.
- Successfully negotiated labor agreements with three of five unions.
 Powerdale cleanup |
 Chip seal on Belmont |
 Microwave Fire |
- Navigated the Whiskey Creek and Microwave Tower fire incidents.
- Completed the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan/Community Wildfire Protection Plans and submitted to FEMA for approval.
- Provided Construction Excise Tax funding for the Rand Road affordable housing project.
- Initiated the transition of the Prevention Program to the Health Department umbrella.
- Initiated the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office Deflection Program.
- Advocated on behalf of County residents in the review of the Statewide Wildfire Maps.
- Developed, consolidated, and presented multijurisdictional one-pagers to the Joint Legislative Committee on Transportation.
- Facilitated donation from the Friends of Oak Grove Park.
- Updated security measures at the County Administration Building and formed a newly invigorated safety committee.
- Contracted for the long-awaited CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) program with the update in progress to enhance county 911 operations.
- Continued success of the Forestry Parking Permits to raise funds for recreational use of County Tree Farm.
- Preserved public access to Hood River County’s recreational assets on the north side of the County Forest with Haglund Property Acquisition.
- County Forestry participated in the Neal Creek Restoration Project led by Hood River Watershed Group.
- Refreshed website and logo for Hood River County.
 Joint City/County meeting |
 Logo Refresh |
 Continued Permit success |