Board of County Commissioners

BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLACKAMAS COUNTY, STATE OF OREGON

In the Matter of Declaring a Local State of Emergency and Declaring Emergency Measures to Respond to Food Scarcity Caused By Suspension of Federal Benefits

WHEREAS, ORS 401.305 provides authority for Clackamas County to act as an emergency management agency, including authority to establish policies and protocols for defining and directing responsibilities during time of emergency; and

WHEREAS, Clackamas County has enacted a local ordinance (County Code Chapter 6.03) pursuant to the authority granted by ORS Chapter 401, that provides for executive responsibility in times of emergency and specifically delegates authority to declare a state of emergency to the County Chair, Vice-Chair (if Chair is unavailable), Remaining Board Member(s) (if Vice-Chair is unavailable) and County Administrator or designee (if Remaining Board Member(s) is unavailable); and

WHEREAS, the following conditions have resulted in the need for a declaration of a state of emergency in the County: the federal government shutdown will result in the suspension of funding for numerous federal benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”), the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) and others. These losses of benefits will directly cause or threaten widespread food scarcity and other impacts to basic human needs that could result in injuries to persons and human suffering;

WHEREAS, Governor Kotek has declared a 60-day food assistance emergency and has indicated she will dedicate up to $5 million dollars—some of which may be distributed to Clackamas County—for ensuring adequate food supplies, which will in turn require the County to be able to act quickly in responding to immediate human needs;

WHEREAS, County Code Chapter 6.03 and ORS 401.309 authorize certain actions to be taken during a state of emergency when necessary for public safety or for the efficient conduct of activities to minimize or mitigate the effects of the emergency; and
WHEREAS, this emergency is expected to continue until SNAP benefits are reinstated by the federal government.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Clackamas County formally declares a state of emergency for Clackamas County, effective on the 30th day of October 2025, at 11:59 a.m., throughout the entirety of the County;
2. This declaration of emergency will continue until federal benefits are reinstated and are once again provided to those qualifying for them, or until December 31, 2025, whichever is sooner;
3. Upon this declaration of a state of emergency, so long as the action is directly related to mitigating the effects of suspension of federal benefits caused by the federal government shutdown, the County Chair, Vice-Chair (if Chair is unavailable), Remaining Board Member(s) (if Vice-Chair is unavailable) and County Administrator or designee (if Remaining Board Member(s) is unavailable) are empowered to (initial all measures that may be utilized):
   • CR Authorize or direct emergency procurements of goods or services pursuant to ORS 279B.080, ORS 279C.335(6), ORS 279C.380(4), and Local Contract Review Board Rules C-047-0280 and C-049-0150;
   • CR Commit to mutual aid agreements;
   • CR Redirect funds for emergency use; and/or
   • CR Order such other measures as are found to be immediately necessary for the protection of life and/or property.

DATED this 30th day of October 2025

CLACKAMAS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Craig Roberts
Chair

Andrew C. Jarocki
Recording Secretary