Updated: December 4, 2024
Committee Members Needed
The Union County Board of Commissioners are accepting applications from qualified volunteers interested in serving on one or more of the various committees with current openings as listed below. Interested citizens are invited to submit a completed Advisory Committee Application. Applications are available below or at the Union County Administrative Office located at 1106 K Avenue in La Grande.
Ambulance District Advisory Committee
This committee shall provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners on the operation of the ambulance service district. Members of this committee consist of three individuals from the (437) telephone prefix area, three from the (562) telephone prefix area and five from the remaining county telephone prefixes for a total of eleven members who may serve a four year term. There are currently five committee openings, including three members from Elgin, one from Union, and one from either La Grande, North Powder, Cove, or Imbler.
Buffalo Peak Advisory Committee
The purpose of this committee is to provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners on rate increases, marketing, condition of the course, and working with consultants that may be hired. The committee will also promote and work toward making the golf course profitable and an economic benefit to the citizens of Union County. The committee consists of seven members appointed to four year terms, with at least one member residing within the Union city limits. There is currently one open position.
Union County Fair Association Board of Directors
A seven member board appointed to serve four year terms with the responsibility of policy and direction for the annual Union County Fair as well as upkeep and use of the fairgrounds. There is currently an opening for one member.
Health & Human Services Advisory Committee
This advisory group is appointed to serve as the Mental Health Advisory Committee, the local Alcohol & Drug Planning Committee and the Public Health Advisory Committee serving as a liaison between the Center for Human Development and the Union County Commission. Areas of representation include Grande Ronde Hospital, a physician, a state agency, a school district, a small community member, an at-large member, a client representative and a member with interest or experience in developing programs dealing with alcohol problems. Appointed to four year terms. There is currently one committee member opening for a client representative/consumer of services and one small community member.
Local Public Safety Coordinating Council
The Local Public Safety Coordinating Council coordinates the public safety plans, policies, operations, and strategies of local government agencies to improve the local public safety system’s cost-effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of the community; collaborates on the development of solutions to problems in the intergovernmental operation of the public safety system; and coordinates policies to improve that system and use evidence-based strategies to address critical issues affecting community safety. Appointed members include a County Commissioner, the Director of Community Corrections, the Juvenile Department Director, a health director, a mental health director, a representative of community-based nonprofit organizations that provide services to victims of crime, and one lay member. There is currently one committee member opening for a lay member.
Mt. Emily Recreation Area Motorized Advisory Committee
This committee was created for the purpose of representing the interests of the public related to development, operations and maintenance of MERA by making recommendations to the Commissioners with regards to motorized usage. Areas of representation include Class I ATV, Class II ATV and Class III ATV, a member of the general public, an adjacent land owner, the US Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation and livestock grazing creating a nine to twelve member committee serving four year terms. There is currently two committee openings, to include one member of the general public and one member of a Class II ATV representative.
Union County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission consists of nine members appointed for four-year terms. The Union County Planning Commission was involved in the development of and is periodically charged with reviewing the county comprehensive land use plan and zoning, partition and subdivision ordinances. These documents direct land uses and review of land use application by the Planning Commission for the Board of Commissioners. There is one position available.
To be considered for appointment, citizens need to complete the application and submit to:
Union County Administrative Office
1106 K Avenue
La Grande, OR 97850
Advisory Committee Application
List of Boards and Committees
4-H and Extension District Advisory Committee
Nineteen members appointed to serve three year terms, with member representation from the cities of Elgin, Imbler, La Grande, North Powder and Union, the Livestock Association, Soil and Water Conservation, Blue Mt. 4-H Center, 4-H Leaders Association, Cherry Growers Association, Wheat Growers Association, a timber producer, Farm Bureau Association, Grass Seed Growers, Agri-Business, grange, Extension Study and Master Gardener. The function of this committee is to advise the Union County Extension Staff on programs and direction.
4-H and Extension District Budget Committee
This committee consists of the Union County Commissioners and three at-large members. The at-large members are appointed for three year terms. The committee is responsible for the review and approval of the budget for the Union County 4-H & Extension Service District.
Airport Advisory Committee
The committee will serve in an advisory role to assist the Union County Public Works Department in developing and updating an Airport Maintenance and Improvement Program that is consistent and equitable in its application and flexible to changes in circumstances to serve the present and future needs of Union County. The committee will also strive to provide a balance of safety, community needs, and financial constraints in developing priorities. The committee will not participate directly in airport management or operations, or in supervising or directing airport employees.
Ambulance District Advisory Committee
This committee shall provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners on the operation of the ambulance service district. Members of this committee consist of three individuals from the (437) telephone prefix area, three from the (562) telephone prefix area and five from the remaining county telephone prefixes for a total of eleven members who may serve a four year term.
Board of Property Tax Appeals
The function of this board is to review petitions, hear and make judgements on appeals filed by taxpayers regarding property values or assessments. The board considers evidence from the taxpayer and the County Assessor. This board consists of three members appointed annually by the Union County Board of Commissioners.
Union County Budget Committee
The purpose of this committee is to review and approve fiscal year budgets for county operations. The committee consists of six members, including the three elected county commissioners and three at-large members. The at-large members may serve for a maximum of two consecutive three year terms.
Buffalo Peak Golf Course Advisory Committee
The purpose of this committee is to provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners on rate increases, marketing, condition of the course, and working with consultants that may be hired. The committee will also promote and work toward making the golf course profitable and an economic benefit to the citizens of Union County. The committee consists of seven members appointed to four year terms, with at least one member residing within the Union city limits.
Union County Community Forest Restoration Board
A ten member committee formed to provide recommendations on forest restoration objectives and opportunities for the La Grande Ranger District. Areas of representation include Ranching/Grazing, Grande Ronde Model Watershed, Woodland Owner/Manager, Wood Product Industry, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Water Quality, Oregon Department of Forestry, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Environmental.
Union County Fair Association Board of Directors
A seven member board appointed to serve four year terms with the responsibility of policy and direction for the annual Union County Fair as well as upkeep and use of the fairgrounds.
Health & Human Services Advisory Committee
This advisory group is appointed to serve as the Mental Health Advisory Committee, the local Alcohol & Drug Planning Committee and the Public Health Advisory Committee serving as a liaison between the Center for Human Development and the Union County Commission. Areas of representation include Grande Ronde Hospital, a physician, a state agency, a school district, a small community member, an at-large member, a client representative and a member with interest or experience in developing programs dealing with alcohol problems. Appointed to four year terms.
Hospital Facility Authority of Union County
Five members appointed for three year terms with a maximum service of two consecutive three year terms. This Authority was created for the purpose of providing hospital facilities in Union County. Areas of representation include the Grande Ronde Hospital Board, a Union County Commissioner and three at-large members.
Household Hazardous Waste Steering Committee
A tri-county program serving Baker, Union and Wallowa counties developed to provide for the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. Committee members serve four year terms. Areas of representation include one Union County Commissioner, one Union County at-large member, one Wallowa County Commissioner, one Wallowa County at-large member, one City of Haines representative, one Baker Sanitary representative, one Waste-Pro representative and one Department of Environmental Quality representative.
Local Public Safety Coordinating Council
The Local Public Safety Coordinating Council coordinates the public safety plans, policies, operations, and strategies of local government agencies to improve the local public safety system’s cost-effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of the community; collaborates on the development of solutions to problems in the intergovernmental operation of the public safety system; and coordinates policies to improve that system and use evidence-based strategies to address critical issues affecting community safety. Appointed members include a county commissioner, the director of community corrections, the juvenile department director, a health director, a mental health director, a representative of community-based nonprofit organizations that provide services to victims of crime, and one lay member.
Mt. Emily Recreation Area Motorized Advisory Committee
This committee was created for the purpose of representing the interests of the public related to development, operations and maintenance of MERA by making recommendations to the Commissioners with regards to motorized usage. Areas of representation include Class I ATV, Class II ATV and Class III ATV, a member of the general public, an adjacent land owner, the US Forest Service, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Parks and Recreation and livestock grazing creating a nine to twelve member committee serving four year terms.
Mt. Emily Recreation Area Non-Motorized Advisory Committee
This committee was created for the purpose of representing the interests of the public related to development, operations and maintenance of MERA by making recommendations to the Commissioners with regards to non-motorized usage. Areas of representation include bicyclist, hiker, general public, the Grande Ronde Bowman Club, Oregon Parks and Recreation, the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry and livestock grazing creating a ten to twelve member committee serving four year terms.
Northeast Area Commission on Transportation
Baker, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa Counties have formed this commission to provide a forum for coordination of local, state, federal, tribal and private community and economic development planning and investments. Each county is responsible for appointing three members serving four year terms.
Opioid Abatement Advisory Committee
The Opioid Abatement Advisory Committee will collaborate on opioid issues and treatment needs in Union County, identify strategies to address the treatment needs, and make recommendations to the board of commissioners on the expenditure of opioid funds received from financial settlements awarded to the county as redress for the harms caused by pharmaceutical companies in creating an opioid crisis. Committee members will include a County Commissioner, County Sheriff or designee, District Attorney or designee, Jail Lieutenant or designee, Treatment Court representative, Behavioral Health Court representative, Community Corrections Director or designee, Juvenile Department Director or designee, a Center for Human Development representative, a Grande Ronde Hospital representative, a City of La Grande representative, and two lay members.
Union County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission consists of nine members appointed for four-year terms. The Union County Planning Commission was involved in the development of and is periodically charged with reviewing the county comprehensive land use plan and zoning, partition and subdivision ordinances. These documents direct land uses and review of land use application by the Planning Commission for the Board of Commissioners.
Special Transportation Fund (STF) Advisory Committee
A five member committee appointed to serve four year terms, including providers or consumers of transportation for the elderly or handicapped. This group will make recommendations to Union County Commissioners on award of Special Transportation Funds received from the State of Oregon.
Special Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Advisory Committee
The purpose of this seven member committee is to provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners through prioritizing projects to be funded by STIF funds to be received by Union County. This committee includes the existing five members of the Special Transportation Fund (STF) Advisory Committee in addition to two members representing low income individuals and public transportation providers.
Transient Tax Advisory Committee
The purpose of this seven-member committee is to review applications for transient room tax grants under the categories of attractions and community events and provide recommendations to the Union County Commissioners. Areas of representation include a Union County Commissioner, a representative of the hospitality industry, a representative of the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, a representative from the La Grande Main Street Board, a representative of the Union County Chamber of Commerce, a representative of the Union County Tourism Promotion Committee, and a representative of a Chamber of Commerce in the City of Elgin, Union or North Powder.
Union County Transportation Committee
This committee is responsible for the prioritization of road maintenance and improvement within Union County. Areas of representation include a Union County Commissioner, the Union County Public Works Director, a city representative, Oregon Department of Transportation, US Forest Service, an engineering firm, a member of the agricultural community, a member of the forest industry, a member of the general public and a county staff member for a total of ten members appointed for four year terms.
Vector Control District Board of Directors
A five member board appointed to oversee the operation of the Union County Vector Control District program serving four year terms.
Vector Control District Budget Committee
Five appointed members who serve along with the Board of Directors. This committee is responsible for adopting an annual budget for the Vector Control District. Term of service is four years.
Weed Control Advisory Committee
The purpose of this committee is to advise the Union County Public Works Department on the control and eradication of weeds in Union County. Members shall represent the management zones of the county, including North County (Palmer Junction-Elgin areas), Valley Floor (Summerville to Union), Western Foothills (Mt. Emily-Craig Mt.), Eastern Foothills (Mt. Harris-Catherine Creek), South County (North Powder, Medical Springs areas), and the private, state, and federal forest and range lands. A twelve member committee appointed to serve for three year terms.
Wolf Depredation Compensation Committee
The purpose of this committee is to facilitate the grant program available through the Oregon Department of Agriculture to mitigate wolf impacts on producers. Areas of representation include one County Commissioner, two livestock owners, two supporters of wolf conservation or coexistence, and two business representatives which are determined by the other commission appointed members. This seven member committee is appointed for three year terms.