Government
County, city, school district, port, and special district government: meetings, budgets, elections, and decisions.
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Vernonia weighs charging up to $48,385 in fees on each new house
A consultant’s draft puts Vernonia’s maximum system development charges at the top of its peer cities. The council holds a hearing Dec. 10. Also: new 5 percent gas and 7…
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Rainier eyes $4.5 million loan, half forgivable, for sewer plant design
Half the loan is forgiven if the city finishes a $12.7 million project it must build under a DEQ enforcement order. Also Tuesday: filling the seat Mike Kreger left, paying…
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DEQ fines Clatskanie $10,400 over sewer plant discharges, and its contractor $13,200
The state penalized the city for 2024 permit violations at its 1977 treatment plant and the builder of its $33 million replacement for muddy runoff into the Clatskanie River. Both…
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$2 million for courthouse security has sat unspent. A judge wants it used.
The state offered to pay for a $10,000 study of a single screened entrance at the county courthouse. Commissioners balked at the agreement, and a judge said $2 million for…
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St. Helens gives up its right to buy school district land on Ross Road
The council voted 4-0 Tuesday to waive a 2009 right of first refusal on 10 acres in Warren, a year after city leaders asked the school district to pause a…
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A third of Rainier can’t get mail at home. Congress wants to know why.
Oregon’s congressional delegation told the Postmaster General that roughly a third of Rainier must use a PO box, and that mail sent to those homes is returned to sender. They…
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Columbia County ballot returns catch up with the rest of Oregon
As of Thursday morning, 30.9 percent of the county’s ballots were back, against 31.2 percent statewide. Republican and Democratic returns are even. The Tribune is updating the count each weekday…
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County extends jail food contract without bids after a “sudden retirement”
Trinity Services Group’s contract expires Nov. 15 with no extensions left. The county says a retirement meant no one sought bids, so it is using emergency procurement rules to keep…
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New St. Helens city administrator plans a hard look at city contracts
Erik Finch, who started Oct. 13, told residents his first priority is the city’s finances, including a review of contracts and recurring costs.
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Mail your ballot by Tuesday, or use a drop box
Tuesday, Oct. 27, is the state’s last recommended day to mail a ballot. After that, use one of Columbia County’s six drop boxes, open 24 hours until 8 p.m. Nov.…
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Measure 5-313: Columbia City’s police levy would go from 90 cents to $1.95
Measure 5-313 would raise Columbia City’s police levy from 90 cents to $1.95 per $1,000 of assessed value for five years, about $315 more a year on a $300,000 home.…
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What Measure 5-312 would cost St. Helens homeowners and what it buys
Measure 5-312 would raise $9.2 million over five years to keep St. Helens police at current staffing. Supporters say the force drops from 19 officers to nine without it. Opponents…