Clatsop County is one of nine home-rule charter counties in Oregon. Home rule charters are county rule books, much like constitutions, that allow local citizens to craft their own laws rather than relying on state statutes. Home rule provides greater local governance control to our citizens.

According to our charter, Clatsop County must have five volunteer elected Commissioners to establish policies and set the vision of the county. The Commissioners are elected by geographic districts to four-year terms.

The Board hires the County Manager to carry out its policies and oversee the day-to-day operations of the county government. View the organizational chart.

Each year, the Commissioners choose a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson. The current Chairperson is Jeff Hazen. The current Vice Chairperson is John Raichl.

The Board of Commissioners generally holds regular meetings on the second Wednesday at the month at 10 a.m. and on the fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Board usually meets in the Judge Guy Boyington Building located at 857 Commercial St. in downtown Astoria. The public is always welcome to attend the Board meetings.

	Jeff Hazen  Chairperson Commissioner District 1 Current term ends December 2010
Represents Warrenton and Hammond and the portion of Astoria west of Fifth Street, northwest of Denver Avenue and north of platted West Niagara Avenue.

	Patricia Roberts Commissioner District 2 Current term ends December 2012
Represents the area south of Warrenton to the center of Seaside and including the city of Gearhart.

	John Raichl    Vice Chairperson Commissioner District 3 Term ends December 2010
Represents Astoria east of Fifth Street, southeast of Denver and south of platted West Niagara Avenue, and extends east to 28th Street. Also includes Miles Crossing, Jeffers Gardens, Fort Clatsop, Lewis and Clark, Youngs River, Olney, Green Mountain and part of Walluski.

	Dirk Rohne Commissioner District 4 Current term ends December 2012
Represents the eastern portion of Astoria to the eastern border of the county, including Svensen, Knappa and Westport.

	Robert Mushen Commissioner District 5 Current term ends December 2010
Represents Sunquist Road in Seaside east of U.S. Highway 101, and Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, south to the Tillamook County line, east to the Columbia and Washington county lines, including the Hamlet and Jewell areas.

Among their many duties, the commissioners serve on various county-related committees by appointment by the Board of Commissioners. Use this link for a list of those assignments.

The commissioners serve without salary but may receive a stipend as recognition for their service. Each year the lay members of the Budget Committee determine the amount of the stipend. For 2009-10, the chairperson receives $1,000 a month and the other commissioners receive $800 a month. The county reimburses the Board members for all actual and necessary expenses incurred on county business while outside the county.

County Counsel:
Clatsop County contracts with several private attorneys for County Counsel services. These attorneys provide legal advice to the Board of Commissioners and County staff and departments. The County Counsel handles civil legal matters involving the county and reviews all proposed contracts between the county and other entities. Heather Reynolds, Blair Henningsgaard, Andy Jordan (503) 325-8615