Washington County is pursuing state money to help replace its 100-year-old courthouse in Hillsboro.

The last-minute addition signals the county is moving quickly on a project that has been in the planning stages for years but still lacks a confirmed funding path.

State fund could cover up to half the cost

The OCCCIF, created by the Legislature in 2013, helps counties replace or update unsafe courthouse facilities that house state circuit courts. State funds can cover up to half of allowable project costs if the new building houses other state agencies, or up to one-quarter otherwise.

Facilities Senior Planner Bryan Robb, Assistant County Administrator Erin Calvert, and Facilities Director Laurel Brown presented the courthouse update at the work session, held at the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building, 155 N. First Ave., Hillsboro.

No votes were taken; the session was discussion only.

The existing courthouse does not meet modern seismic or accessibility standards. County officials estimated in February that construction could begin around 2033 and finish by 2035-2036 if planning funding holds.

The project has been ranked a top priority by the state's Courthouse Facilities Taskforce for two consecutive two-year budget cycles, and both the Oregon Judicial Department and Association of Oregon Counties have backed it.

In February, county leaders called on the Legislature to protect $1.25 million in planning funds already appropriated for the project. At that February 6 news conference, Commissioner Pam Treece described the strain on court operations.

"We simply do not have enough courtrooms and the space to keep up with the number of cases that a county of this size has," Treece said. "When we can't keep up with the growing caseloads, the consequence is a bottleneck that prevents us from holding individuals accountable and ensuring justice for the victims of crimes."

Whether those planning funds survived the legislative session is unclear from available public records.

Courthouse still absent from capital plan

The courthouse replacement is not included in the county's Capital Improvement Plan for 2026-2031, which the board approved 4-0 on May 5. Commissioner Jerry Willey noted that omission during the May 5 vote.

The OCCCIF application may represent an alternative funding route.

Jail expansion: few details so far

The work session also included a 60-minute update on a jail and community corrections center expansion, presented by Sheriff Caprice Massey, Calvert, and Brown. The board voted 5-0 on May 19 to award a feasibility and visioning study contract to DLR Group Architecture & Engineering.

Tuesday's session was the first public update since that contract was approved, but specific cost estimates, site options, and scope have not been released.

What's next

Formal action on either project would come at a future regular business meeting. Chair Kathryn Harrington presided over the July 14 session. Residents can track the board's schedule and submit public comments at washingtoncountyor.gov/bcc.