OACES Newsletter for June 27, 2023 |
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Upcoming OACES Meetings:
- OACES Meeting: OIT, Klamath Falls - Sept. 21
- OACES Fall Conference: Hood River - Oct. 23-24
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Legislative Update: HB 2101 Fund Exchange Passes |
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The 82nd Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die on Sunday, June 25 after a whirlwind of productivity during the initial four months followed by a historic six-week stalemate.
The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES) achieved significant policy goals in Salem this session and worked to ensure that concerning proposals did not move forward.
AOC and OACES priority bills related to transportation and public works included:
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HB 2101: Codifying the STBG Fund Exchange Program (passed)
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SB 635: County Right of Way Permit Cost Recovery (referred to Joint Committee on Transportation interim work group)
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HB 3556: Abandoned Recreational Vehicle Disposal Program (interim work group is anticipated)
AOC and OACES actively pursued these legislative priorities, while also monitoring and advocating for other bills and important issues impacting county road departments — public contracting, environmental regulations, traffic safety, bridges, and road operations and maintenance funding. ...[Read More]
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SRS and USFS Timber Harvest Payments Election Form Due in July |
Counties have until July 12th, 2023 to submit allocation elections between SRS and USFS 1908 payments – and elections between SRS Title I, II, and III – to AOC.
Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 (County FY 2024) Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Program payments are projected to be greater than United States Forest Services (USFS) 1908 Act 25 percent timber harvest (USFS 1908) payments for all Oregon counties with USFS land.
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CRP Reintroduces The IRIS Update Newsletter on Quarterly Basis
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With the rollout of IRIS v10 set to begin during the second half of 2023, AOC's County Road Program (CRP) is reintroducing The IRIS Update newsletter, which will be distributed on a quarterly basis to help you keep up-to-date on the current progress, timeline for onboarding users, training opportunities, and more.
Each newsletter will be broken down into four categories:
- IRIS v10 Updates
- IRIS Tips & Tricks
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Training Opportunities (beginning with the Fall 2023 edition)
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Questions & Feedback.
If you would like to be added to the newsletter distribution list, have questions or need assistance with IRIS, please email support@aociris.org.
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USDOT Announces Upcoming Funding Opportunities |
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Technical assistance resources:
Please contact AOC County Road Program Director Brian Worley with any questions about USDOT grant funding opportunities.
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USDOT Announces Technical Grants for Transportation Projects in Rural and Tribal Communities |
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This NOFO combines two years of funding (FY 2022 and 2023), $3.4 million in total, to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual awards will range in value up to the statutory limit of $360,000. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program.
The grants may be used to hire staff or advisors to assist with early development-phase activities including, but not limited to: feasibility studies; preliminary engineering and design; environmental review; revenue forecasting; financial feasibility analysis; statutory and regulatory analysis; and drafting and negotiation of agreements.
The Build America Bureau has created a simple, four-page funding application, available here and will begin accepting submissions at 2 p.m EST, August 14, 2023.
The Department of Transportation hosted a free informational webinar to provide more information for interested applicants and a recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation will be made available here.
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SS4A: What Rurals Should Know Webinar Recording Now Available |
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Topics discussed include:
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Requirements for the new round of funding for the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (SS4)
- Similarities and differences from the last round of funding
- Lessons learned from a Local Technical Assistance Center that helped many of their locals obtain SS4A funding for action plans during round one
In addition to the links above, NCRRS has put together a handy resource on the SS4A program. Click here to learn more.
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TGM Planning Grants Applications due July 27 |
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The 2023 Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Program Planning Grant Application packet is now available. It can be found on the TGM Planning Grants page. Applications are due by July 27, 2023, and award announcements will be mailed in September.
TGM is a joint effort of two state agencies: the Oregon Department or Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). TGM grants are awarded on an annual basis to provide planning resources to help Oregon jurisdictions address transportation, land use, and growth management issues in their communities.
Eligible applicants include cities, counties, councils of government on behalf of a city or county, tribal governments, and certain special districts. The total awarded amount will be approximately $2.5 million. Award amounts generally range between $125,000 and $250,000. Grantees must provide a match in the form of cash, staff time, monetized volunteer time, and direct project expenses.
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Oregon DEQ Extends Application Deadline for Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants Program |
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has extended the application deadline for the Diesel Emissions Mitigation Grants Program to Thursday, July 6, 2023. The grants provide approximately $8 million in funding annually for diesel equipment owners to replace older and more polluting diesel engines with new, cleaner technologies and exhaust control retrofits.
Business, government and tribal diesel equipment owners across the state are invited to apply for support for projects that reduce diesel emissions. Grants can be used in various ways, including replacing diesel engines or purchasing medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. Owners of qualified vehicles requiring exhaust control retrofits under DEQ’s Diesel Retrofit Compliance Program may also apply for funding to support the installation of diesel particulate filters.
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ODOT's New Community EV Charging Rebates Program Opens |
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ODOT is now taking applications for its Community Charging Rebates Program. You can learn more about the program, as well as eligibility requirements, rebate amounts, qualifying chargers, and required application documents here.
Eligible applicants may apply for the rebate June 13 to Oct. 13, 2023, or until funding runs out. Click here to begin your online application.
This is the first of several planned rounds of funding; however, ODOT encourages you to apply now if your project meets readiness and eligibility requirements. Eligible project site locations must be at multi-family housing or publicly accessible parking areas in Oregon.
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2023 OACES Skills Demo to be Held in Roseburg, Sept. 19-21 |
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Mark your calendar for this year's OACES Skills Demo and Safety Conference, which will be held at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg, Sept. 19-21.
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Registration Open for the 4th National Summit on Rural Road Safety |
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The National Center for Rural Road Safety is partnering with the National Association of Development Organization to host the 4th National Summit on Rural Road Safety. Registration is now open for this year's event, "Resources for Rurals," which will focus on practical content designed to help save lives on rural roads. The summit will be held in Oklahoma City, Okla., Sept. 12-14.
For those who cannot travel, but are interested in attending, a hybrid option will also be available, which will allow you to live stream some of the sessions.
To register or learn more, please click here. Information on sponsorship opportunities can be found here.
For questions, including information on how your organization can become a sponsor for this year's summit, please contact kevin@ruralroadsafety.org.
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County Engineering, Road Department, and Surveyor Jobs
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The AOC job posting page provides counties and other government organizations with a method to advertise job opportunities while also providing a resource for job seekers looking for a new challenge.
Current engineering, road department, and surveyor postings include:
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Jackson County is Hiring Engineers! |
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Jackson County Roads, Engineering Division is recruiting for several engineering positions, including:
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County Road Program Director
Legislative Director
Transportation Policy Analyst
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Senior Administrative Manager
IT Trainer and Communications Specialist
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