Lisa Gambee

Environment / Energy Water reliability and system hardening. We cannot allow a wildfire to knock out drinking water again. This means hardening pump stations, expanding backup power, protecting source watersheds, and building redundancy so communities are not dependent on emergency donations. Infrastructure / Transportation Small communities often miss out on crucial infrastructure funding simply because they lack the staff to apply. The county should help scale existing support by coordinating shared engineers, grant writers, and compliance experts. This capacity building would enable small districts to access the millions in funding that already exists through agencies like Business Oregon. Environment / Energy With six data centers already operating and growing concern about future water use, the county faces a critical gap in oversight. Before approving additional development, the county must establish enforceable requirements for water efficiency, infrastructure impacts, and long-term sustainability, and create a transparent system to verify compliance over time. Water is a public resource, and protecting it must take precedence over private expansion. Economy Our city centers are the heart of local economic life. Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, paired with civic improvements and beautification, helps attract residents, visitors, and new investment. Reducing empty storefronts and helping local businesses thrive should be an ongoing county priority. Economy We must align our efforts with the clear roadmap provided by the Economic Development Commission’s Strategic Action Plan. This includes expanding sectors where our geography and transportation accessibility position us for growth, such as tech, renewable energy, outdoor recreation, and value-added agriculture. Infrastructure / Transportation Investing in recreation infrastructure—trail systems, river access, campgrounds, and cultural tourism—supports small businesses, hospitality, and rural communities that benefit from visitor spending. Infrastructure / Transportation Commissioners should work with state and federal partners to create a regional approach for water and sewer infrastructure. This framework would help small districts navigate compliance, complex regulatory challenges, and long-term planning. Taxes / Budget The use of General Fund dollars for projects that do not deliver affordability or meet a clear community need is not appropriate. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Emergency communications and community preparedness. Every resident—regardless of cell coverage, language, or location—should receive timely, accurate alerts. This requires investments in multi-channel communication systems, neighborhood-level preparedness programs, and support for volunteer fire and EMS capacity. Taxes / Budget Public sentiment is shifting, and residents recognize that strong fire and EMS services are essential. The County should encourage and support districts that seek predictable, sustainable revenue through local, voter-approved funding measures. The upcoming levy for Wamic RFPD will show where public sentiment stands on the issue. Environment / Energy Renewable energy, electric farm equipment, and climate-resilient technologies are growing sectors that bring high-skill jobs and long-term investment, especially when paired with strong community benefit agreements. Economy Agriculture is a cornerstone of Wasco County’s identity. Supporting food processing, specialty crops, and farm-to-market infrastructure helps keep more economic value local and creates year-round jobs. Infrastructure / Transportation Reinvest Revenue Where Impacts Occur: A meaningful portion of revenue generated by these projects must be reinvested locally, into water systems, emergency services, road improvements, and community development, to maintain fairness and public support. Housing For a project to deliver a true community benefit, the rents must align with local wages to be within reach of the people who actually live and work here. Housing We urgently need to expand housing options in Wasco County, and projects that add units, such as Basalt Commons, demonstrate the potential to ease pressure on the tight rental market. Environment / Energy Forest and watershed health through collaborative fuel reduction. Long-term resilience requires reducing hazardous fuels and restoring forest and rangeland health. Strengthening partnerships with the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Wasco County Forest Collaborative, and tribal and community partners ensures that science-based treatments protect homes, water resources, recreation, and local economies. Taxes / Budget County residents shouldn’t have to worry that their property taxes are being handed to a private developer, and taxpayer-supported funds shouldn't be on the table if a project isn't delivering a meaningful public service. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Road access and evacuation readiness. Evacuation routes must be safe, clearly marked, and maintained year-round. We need updated evacuation modeling, better traffic-flow planning for rural areas, and stronger coordination with ODOT, fire districts, and law enforcement so residents can leave quickly and safely when minutes matter. Taxes / Budget Grants should supplement stable local funding, not replace it. A stronger local base allows rural districts to strategically use state and federal grant dollars for essential equipment upgrades, training, and wildfire-specific needs. Taxes / Budget While grants may cover construction costs, utility rate increases can still severely impact low-income households. The county can explore solutions like a low-income utility relief fund or shared services, such as a countywide network of meter readers, to reduce operational costs for small districts and ease the financial burden on residents.