Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink appointed to Regional Solutions Advisory Committee

MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Jefferson County Commissioner Kelly Simmelink has been appointed to the Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee to be the county representative. 

The Association of Oregon Counties Board of Directors recommended his appointment to Governor Kotek.  The appointment runs through June 30, 2026.

“I am honored to be selected to represent the three counties in Central Oregon," Simmelink said. "The committee brings together a variety of regional public, private, and non-profit organizations representatives to push regional priorities and solve regional problems.   This is done by including key regional state agencies and community leaders to respond to regional needs." 

State agencies represented include Business Oregon, DEQ, Housing and Community Services, ODOT, and the Water Resources Department.

According to the Governor’s website, the Regional Solutions program builds on a long tradition of collaborative governance, regional coordination and creative problem-solving.

Adopted into statute in 2014 (ORS 284.752), over the past decade Oregon’s communities have benefitted from this partnership between the state, local governments, sovereign Tribal nations, businesses, and organizations who have come together to create durable solutions that serve Oregon’s residents. 

Within each of the 11 Regions, which are tied to Oregon’s federally designated Economic Development Districts, a Governor-appointed Advisory Committee sets Regional Priorities and a cross-functional Team of state agency staff works together to move projects forward.

Regional Coordinators, who are embedded in their communities and represent the Governor in the field, work with Advisory Committees and Teams to ensure effective state government support to local partners and serve as a conduit between the Governor and local communities.  (https://www.oregon.gov/gov/regional-solutions/pages/default.aspx)

Commissioner Simmelink was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

For more information, contact Commissioner Simmelink 503.703.6573.