Les Perkins

Hood River County Commissioner District 4

Why are you the right candidate for this position? What are your qualifications?

I take a balanced perspective on issues and try to consider all sides before making decisions. I feel it’s important to consider perspectives that differ from your own in order to fully understand the needs of the community. After nearly 20 years in this position, I have gained quite a bit of insight and background on most issues but am still learning everyday. I have a strong background in natural resources and have worked particularly hard on issues related to water, energy, and forestry. I hope to continue that work for another 4 years.

What do you think caused the County’s current budget problems? What are some specific steps you would recommend to the County to improve its financial situation?

There are a number of factors that go back nearly 25 years. The root cause goes back to measures 5 and 50, passed in the mid-90’s. These measures froze the property tax rate for the County and then limited growth in assessed value going forward to 3% per year. Hood River County had a very low rate at the time due to strong timber values. Fast forward 25 years and person’s property tax is now assessed on only 1/2 to 2/3 of the real market value of their home. Expenses have outpaced the growth in property taxes. We have been trimming staff positions and eliminating management positions for nearly the full 20 years I’ve been on the board. We have also looked at just about every conceivable revenue source out there while contemplating closing entire departments. Measure 14-69 is an operating levy that would shore up the services we still provide. This is our last chance to maintain service levels before we have to make drastic cuts that would re-shape our local government and the services we provide.

What is your experience in making complex budget decisions? How would your recommendations change if the local option levy passes? How about if it fails?

I have been through 20 years of budget cycles and have been part of making difficult decisions to eliminate positions. If the local option passes, then I would recommend we are as efficient with the funds as we can be and maintain the highest level of service possible. I would also recommend we use the 5 years to prove to the voters that we are responsible with the additional dollars. I would also recommend that we continue to explore other revenue options and finding greater efficiencies during that time.

If it fails, we will have to make some very difficult decisions that likely will involve eliminating entire departments. In order to maintain the organization without additional funding, we will need to re-shape County government entirely. We can do it, I just don’t think anyone will like the outcome and it certainly won’t be good for the health and well being of the community or the economy.

Is there anything that the recent COVID-19 pandemic has revealed about the county’s ability to provide essential services to County residents in times of emergency? What changes you would make to improve the readiness and delivery of services in times of crisis?

The pandemic has just highlighted the value of County services. Our Emergency Operations Center has been the coordinating entity throughout the pandemic and our Health Department has worked hard to identify cases and perform contact tracing. Having been able to listen in to the regular meetings of the EOC, I am fully impressed with all of the local entities who participate to keep our community safe. County staff in other departments (public works, forestry, records and assessment, building, planning, administration) have all continued to work to keep services functional for our community. Much of what the County does is invisible to most citizens but these services are what form the backbone of our community and generally run quietly in the background.

In terms of changes, we need to be better at communicating on multiple platforms including social media. People need reliable information and the closing and then consolidation of the news paper changed one important format for getting information out. We also need to invest in technology to more efficient remote access for both the public and employees. We can definitely gain some efficiencies that would make us better prepared in the future for any type of emergency or disruption.

Addressing Hood River’s housing affordability problem has been a goal of the County Commission for many years. Do you think the County has a role to play in housing? Why or why not?

Yes. This problem is too large for any one entity to solve. We need the entire community involved and we need to use every available tool. The lack of affordable housing impacts everyone and all aspects of the economy. The problem will not solve itself and will require us all to engage and provide solutions.

Working within Oregon’s innovative land-use system what ways can the County plan for expected population growth? What are your ideas for how the County can address livability issues like the provision of adequate park spaces and transportation needs including biking and walking path connectivity?

We have to have areas where growth can occur. The land use system in Oregon provides very few options for counties in terms of allowing for growth in housing. Most of the available opportunities are within incorporated areas or the urban growth boundaries of those cities. We have to recognize that and work with the City to provide for more density within the City and the UGB. That said, we still need to look for creative solutions within the County to provide more affordable housing. This is a very deep issues that would require way more space and time than this format could possibly provide.

In terms of park space and transportation needs, we must continue to improve our road and trail systems whenever possible. Funding is obviously an issue so we must take advantage of state and federal funds when available to achieve our goals. I don’t see the County expanding developed parks however, I do see value in expanding the County Forest which essentially functions as open space that the community uses heavily for many types of recreation while also providing 1/3 of our general fund revenue. I would hope to continue to work with the Parks and Recreation District to expand developed parks where appropriate as well as working with all of the other entities within the County (Cities, Ports, School District).