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Have you ever wondered how Clackamas County works to improve the lives of its residents? Or what the county's 2,500+ employees do for you on a regular basis?
If so, check out our new podcast, ClackCo Works, where we share what the county is doing to serve our community. Join us for engaging discussions about the programs and services we provide.
You can watch or listen to the episodes below or on your favorite podcast platform. ClackCo Works producers can be reached at clackconews@clackamas.us. ClackCo Works is one of many ways the county ensures residents are connected with their county government and aware of its services.
Latest episode
Episode 13 – Infectious Disease Program
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Dr. Sarah Present, Clackamas County’s health officer, gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how her team protects the community from infectious diseases. She shares real stories about tracking illnesses like measles and tuberculosis, and describes how quick teamwork stopped a hepatitis A outbreak before it spread. Dr. Present highlights the importance of prevention, education, and strong partnerships in keeping people safe. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the dedicated professionals working every day to keep Clackamas County healthy. Tune in to discover how their compassion and expertise make a real difference.
Past episodes
Episode 12 – Inspecting restaurants, pools, childcare, and more
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Julie Hamilton, Environmental Health Program Manager for Clackamas County, gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how her team keeps the community safe. She explains how they inspect everything from pools and childcare centers to restaurants, often showing up unannounced to catch issues before they become serious. Julie shares real stories about helping local businesses fix problems like unsafe food temperatures and poor handwashing. She also talks about the growing challenge of unlicensed food vendors and why proper licensing matters. Tune in to discover how these dedicated professionals help make Clackamas County a safer place to eat, play, and live.
Episode 11: Exploring the impact of tourism in Clackamas County
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Dylan Blaylock talks with Lizzie Keenan, executive director of the Clackamas County Office of Tourism, about the powerful role tourism plays in the local community. Lizzie explains how creative programs—like their mascot Monty the river otter—and smart investments help attract visitors while also improving life for residents. The discussion covers how tourism supports local jobs and businesses, and how the money brought in is reinvested into community projects such as trails and festivals. Lizzie also shares how her team targets different visitor groups and works to spread the benefits of tourism across the county. Tune in to discover how tourism drives growth and keeps Clackamas County vibrant.
Episode 10: Money Moves with the Clackamas County Treasurer
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Clackamas County Treasurer Brian Nava explains how his office keeps the county’s finances running smoothly. He describes the Treasurer’s Office as the county’s bank, managing a $2 billion budget, investing funds safely, and making sure property tax dollars reach over 120 local districts like schools and fire departments. Nava also talks about the importance of transparency, regular audits, and the checks and balances that come with his role.
Episode 9: All rise for the Law Library
In this episode of ClackCo Works, Jennifer Dalglish, the law librarian at the Alden E. Miller Law Library of Clackamas County, shares how the library is a key resource for anyone in Clackamas County who needs legal information. She explains how the library welcomes everyone, offering expert help on topics like small claims and estate planning.
Episode 8: LINCC-ing our communities together
Rick Peterson, Library Network Manager for Clackamas County, discusses the Libraries in Clackamas County (LINCC) system, in which 13 libraries collaborate to share nearly 2 million items each year. Peterson discusses the cost-saving technology behind their central hub, the seamless interlibrary loan system that connects patrons to materials nationwide, and the many ways libraries are evolving to meet community needs.
Episode 7: Advisory Boards & Commissions in Clackamas County
In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with Community Relations Specialist Donna Hockey, to talk about Advisory Boards & Commissions (ABCs) in the county. Learn the types of ABCs, why they're important, and how ABCs help our community have a say in the policies that affect them.
Episode 6: Protecting water quality in Clackamas County
In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with the Director of Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) to discuss how WES protects water quality in Clackamas County. Tune in to learn about their wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education.
Episode 5: Preparing for and managing disasters in Clackamas County
In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with the Director of the Office of Disaster Management to discuss how they help our community prepare for and respond to disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and fires. Tune in to this episode to learn about the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and how it works as well as how you can best be prepared for when a disaster strikes.
Episode 4: Helping veterans & their families at the Veteran Services Office with Gus Bedwell
In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with Veteran Services Office (VSO) Supervisor Gus Bedwell to learn how the VSO helps our service members, veterans, and their families navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system.
Episode 3: Health, housing, and human services in Clackamas County
Over 800 employees in Health, Housing & Human Services (H3S) support the community through health clinics, housing services, restaurant inspections, public health, and so much more. In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with Mary Rumbaugh, Director of H3S, to discuss how the largest county department serves the community and its focus on a recovery-oriented system of care.
Episode 2: How we maintain ClackCo roads with Assistant Director of Transportation Mike Bezner
Where we're going, we DO need roads. And maintenance and funding! ClackCo Works host Dylan Blaylock sits down with Mike Bezner, the Assistant Transportation Director for the Department of Transportation and Maintenance, to talk about how Clackamas County staff maintain and operate over 1,400 miles of roads.
Episode 1: The best parks in Clackamas County with Parks Manager Tom Riggs
We sit down with Parks Manager Tom Riggs to learn about the gems of the county parks system and the best places to go and relax in Clackamas County.
