Washington County is pressing ahead with its project to modernize Community Participation Organizations (CPOs) and the Committee for Community Involvement (CCI). These groups, rooted in the 1970s and deeply intertwined with Oregon’s land use planning system, are set to undergo a significant update in structure and focus. In a motion authorized by the Board of County Commissioners in late 2021, five new principles have been proposed, aimed at returning the program to its original mission while streamlining its governance.
Key changes being considered, according to Washington County, including revising the outdated, gender-exclusive language and shifting the terminology from "citizens" to "community members". Aligning the appointments for CPOs and the CCI with other county advisory boards, the proposal brings a departure from the current participant election method. In the modernization project, public feedback is sought, which will help in tailoring the initiatives further.
The Board of County Commissioners is taking feedback from the community on these proposed changes through different channels. Community members can leave their input via an online survey or attend public listening sessions, both in-person and virtual. The in-person session will be held on October 29 at Merlo Station High School, while a virtual session is scheduled for November 13 through a Zoom meeting. In the spirit of inclusivity, interpretation services are available upon request for those sessions, ensuring that feedback is received from a diverse cross-section of the community.
The results of the community engagement will be pivotal, with county staff set to compile the input and present it to the Board. These insights will influence the final decisions about restructuring the CPOs and CCI. Designed to better reflect the current needs of Washington County, the modernization efforts aim to enhance the way community members engage in discussions about land use and transportation. The official resolution and order marking the culmination of the CPO Modernization project are expected in early 2025, reflecting the collaborative efforts between the government and its constituents.
