The Role and Responsibilities of Yamhill County Commissioners

By Rebecca Wallis

McMinnville, OR – July 20, 2024

As the election season heats up, Yamhill County residents are gaining a deeper understanding of the significant responsibilities and time commitments shouldered by their elected County Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners (BOC), consisting of three elected officials, is pivotal in shaping the county’s policies and programs, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of the community.

A Glimpse into the Commissioners’ Schedules

The weekly schedules of the Yamhill County Commissioners reveal a pattern of structured and demanding commitments. These schedules often reflect the rigorous nature of their roles, encompassing multiple joint meetings, formal and informal sessions, and extensive administrative duties.

• Joint Meetings: Commissioners have frequent joint meetings where they discuss various issues, make decisions, and set the direction for county governance.
• Combined Formal/Informal Sessions: These sessions, held weekly, include briefings, reports, and consultations among commissioners and staff, focusing on personnel and administrative decisions.

Key Responsibilities by Role

Each commissioner has specific areas of responsibility, requiring regular meetings and touchpoints to ensure smooth operation and effective communication across departments and committees. The extensive list of responsibilities and the need for constant engagement make this role a full-time job, often requiring more hours than a standard full-time position.

1. Chair Lindsay Berschauer
   • Administration: County Administration Liaison, County Counsel Liaison, Contract Review Board Chair.
   • Community Services & Development: Cove Orchard Sewer Service District Chair, Extension Service District Board of Directors Chair, Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR) Member/Liaison, Yamhill County Transit Area Board of Directors Vice-Chair.
   • General Government: Assessor’s Office Liaison, Board of Review for Agriculture Land Assessment Liaison, Board of Property Tax Appeals Liaison, Clerk’s Office Liaison, Treasurer’s Office Liaison, Investment Committee Voting Member.
   • Human Services: Hospital Authority Board Member.
   • Justice & Law Enforcement: Community Justice Department Liaison, Court Security Committee Liaison, EBDMI Policy Committee Member, Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) Member, Sheriff’s Office Liaison, YCOM Executive Board Member, Yamhill County Circuit and Municipal Courts Liaison, District Attorney’s Office Liaison, Emergency Management Liaison.
   • Land Use & Development: Willamina Urban Area Management Commission Member, McMinnville Urban Area Management Commission Member.
   • Other Government Organizations: Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) – District 6 Member, Association of O&C Counties Member, WWP Mid-Valley Jobs Council Alternate​​.
2. Vice-Chair Kit Johnston
   • Administration: Contract Review Board Vice-Chair.
   • Community Services & Development: Cove Orchard Sewer Service District Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Extension Service District Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Fair Board Liaison, Mid-Willamette Valley Area Commission on Transportation (MWACT) Member, Transit Division Liaison, Yamhill County Transit Area Board of Directors Chair, Yamhill County Transit Area Committee (YCTAC) Liaison, Yamhill County Water Task Force Liaison.
   • General Government: Investment Committee Non-voting Member.
   • Human Services: Hospital Authority Board Member.
   • Justice & Law Enforcement: Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) Non-voting Member.
   • Land Use & Development: Planning Commission Liaison, Planning Department Liaison, Public Works Liaison, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Liaison, Parkway Committee Member, Road Improvement Advisory Committee Liaison, Soil and Water Conservation District Liaison, Solid Waste Advisory Committee Liaison, Greater Yamhill Watershed Council Liaison, Local Officials Advisory Committee (LOAC) Member, Department of Land Conservation & Development Member, Newberg Urban Area Management Commission Member, Amity Urban Area Management Commission Member, Lafayette Urban Area Management Commission Member.
   • Other Government Organizations: Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) – District 6 Member, Willamette Workforce Partnership (WWP) Executive Committee Member, Mid-Willamette Valley Council of Governments Board Member, Willamette Workforce Partnership Mid-Valley Jobs Council Member​.
3. Commissioner Mary Starrett
   • Administration: Contract Review Board Member.
   • Community Services & Development: Cove Orchard Sewer Service District Member, Extension Service District Board of Directors Member, Yamhill County Transit Area (YCTA) Board of Directors Member.
   • General Government: Investment Committee Non-voting Member.
   • Human Services: Health & Human Services Department Liaison, Board of Health Liaison, Family Wellbeing Council Member, Hospital Authority Board Member, Housing Authority of Yamhill County Liaison, Local Alcohol & Drug Planning Council Liaison, Mental Health & Development Disability Advisory Committee Liaison, NW Senior & Disability Services Board of Directors Member, Veterans Services Liaison, Yamhill Community Action Partnership (YCAP) Board Member, Yamhill County Care Organization Board of Directors Member, Yamhill County Care Organization Executive Committee Member.
   • Justice & Law Enforcement: Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) Non-voting Member.
   • Land Use & Development: Yamhill Urban Area Management Commission Member.
   • Other Government Organizations: Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) – District 6 Member, AOC Health & Human Services Steering Committee Member, AOC Legislative Committee Member, NACo Environment, Energy and Land Use Policy Steering Committee Member​​.

The role of Yamhill County Commissioners is complex and demanding, requiring a balance of administrative oversight, community engagement, and strategic planning. The frequent joint meetings and rigorous schedules highlight the commissioners’ dedication to their roles. The extensive responsibilities and ongoing engagements make this position more demanding than a typical full-time job, reflecting the commissioners’ commitment to their duties.

Editor’s Note:

Lindsay Berschauer, first elected in the May 2020 Primary, has served as Yamhill County Commissioner since January 2021 and has been chosen as Board Chair in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her governance focuses on protecting individual liberty, limiting government waste, and safeguarding private property rights. She resides in McMinnville with her family and manages several small businesses alongside her husband​ (Lindsay for Yamhill County)​.

Bubba King, running for Yamhill County Commissioner, aims to bring balance to the Board of Commissioners. He is a nonaffiliated voter who prioritizes community perspectives and a neighbor-first approach. As a small business owner, he emphasizes integrity, reputation, and building relationships with regional partners. King advocates for collaborative governance to benefit all county residents​ (BubbaKingOregon).

photo credit Yamhill County News file