August 23, 2026 Newsletter

Just a little over four months left until I start my new job as your County Commissioner, I’m prioritizing meeting all the people and learning about all of the departments and organizations that keep Washington County running.

I’ve already had a handful of meetings, and my brain is very full and very much buzzing (in the best way). 

I recently had an introductory meeting with Clean Water Services (CWS). This work will definitely be one of my growing edges, and I’m excited to keep learning about it. A few takeaways: 

• CWS doesn’t offer low-income discounts like many other jurisdictional services provide.

• They are exploring a re-do of their System Development Charges, or SDCs (the fees any new development is charged, from an apartment complex to a four-bedroom home to a new business), just like Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District did a few years ago when I served on their board. I’m excited to bring my experience to this decision making!

I also had the pleasure of meeting with the American Heart Association to learn more about their work with the County to keep kids healthy. In May, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld a Washington County ordinance banning the sale of flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, vapes, and hookahs. Next steps of implementing the ban include educating stores as well as the public and setting up regular inspections of retail locations.

I also met with Washington County Auditor Adams-Wannberg. While it’s easy to be scared of auditors, they are really focused on improving systems. (And if I keep that at the top of my mind, I won’t be as anxious when I’m meeting with them.) We talked about so much, including her helping me understand that there is no cyclical review of the County Charter. Because of my day job, I’m well aware of the Multnomah County Charter review. But it turns out Washington County does not have the same process. Certainly something to explore! 

I also attended a handful of campaign kick-offs: Titonian Wallace for Hillsboro City Council, Ivette Pantoja for Hillsboro City Council and Rachel Philip for Beaverton City Council. I encourage you to learn more about these candidates. I plan to spend the fall knocking for them!

Upcoming Events in District 2

August 26, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Future Westside Trail Bridge over U.S. Hwy 26 input opportunity at Pioneer Park

September 10, 11am - 2pm The Standard’s Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Courthouse Square 

September 10-19 Welcoming Week

September 12, 2 - 6pm Fiesta de Superhéroes de la Naturaleza at THPRD Nature Park

September 12, 1 - 5pm Oktoberfest at Bethany Village 

September 12 Beaverton Celebration Parade

September 19 Beaverton 5K/10K/Half Marathon

September and October Imagine Black Textile Drive

Save-the-Date(s), CPO 2.0

Community Participatory Organizations (CPOs) are evolving. They’re now called SPARC which stands for Strengthening Participation and Reaching Communities. These meetings are opportunities for communities members to learn about and shape county decisions. 

The former system was organized by neighborhood, the new ones are organized by district. These groups are what YOU make them, so I encourage you to show up and engage. 

The first meetings for each district are scheduled for:

• District One: September 3 (First Thursday)

• District Three: September 17 (Third Thursday)

• District Two: October 8 (Second Thursday)

• District Four: October 22 (Fourth Thursday)

Learn the latest by watching a recent Board of Commissioners meeting where this project is discussed. You can watch the video of the most recent presentation from the Office of Access and Opportunity here. 

EmpowHER Awards

I was so excited to nominate my friend Steph Routh for an EmpowHER Award and was thrilled to receive a call that she had won! A few of the nice things I said in her nomination letter…

I can’t think of a stronger, more enthusiastic, more authentic community connector than Steph Routh. 

On paper she is the Sr. Digital Communications Specialist at Compassion & Choices by day, and by night Chair of the City of Portland’s Planning Commission. But that is just a snapshot of what she does. Not on her resume is:

• Advocate for Ranked Voice voting 

• Door knocker extraordinaire 

• Volunteer notary

• Dinner host

In 2024, under the City of Portland’s new Ranked Choice Voting System, I was so excited and proud to donate and also knock for her. When she lost it felt like a gut punch - how can someone who loves civics, dialogue and this community so much lose? And not only did she handle it with grace, she has also been a vocal advocate for how this new system of voting ensures additional, more representative candidates AND more voices are heard. Instead of nursing a bruised ego, she has sat on panels sharing with others how this new system of voting works and centers those usually forgotten. 

Steph is a volunteer notary, even spending her 50th birthday helping her friends create and update their life planning documents via a big party. She encourages folks to engage in democracy and resistance in any way they see fit - including as voluntary notaries. 

She hosts “Dinner for Tired People” as someone whose network is almost exclusively people like her - leaders who are spread thin and exhausted. 

And the above are examples of what I know about, we don’t live in the same city and with her deep engagement in civics, it's very possible I’m missing something!

And Friday night in front of tons of people, her friends got to celebrate her!

More to come,

Felicita