COMMISSIONERS BERNEY AND FARR CHOSEN AS CHAIR, VICE CHAIR

The Lane County Board of Commissioners appointed a new chair and vice chair during the opening minutes of its first regular meeting of 2021. Commissioner Joe Berney (pictured right) will serve as chair in 2021 and Commissioner Pat Farr (pictured left) will serve as vice chair.

“I am humbled by the trust fellow commissioners placed in me by voting me chair of this year’s Lane County Board of Commissioners,” said Chair Joe Berney. “This year will provide opportunities to further our work on the County’s Climate Action Plan, put into action the Community Benefits Bidding Program, work our hearts out trying to find creative solutions to our homelessness and housing crisis, move beyond the heartaches and frustrations of this pandemic, and get back to making Lane County a great place to live and do business.”

“This year will be an important one for Lane County,” said Vice Chair Pat Farr. “As we look for light at the end of the tunnel for COVID-19, we will have opportunities to advocate for critical financial support for local businesses, renters, landlords and others to help our residents and local economy begin to recover. We continue to prioritize finding solutions that create permanent supportive housing and more low-income housing so that our neighbors can have a safe place to sleep at night. Serving as vice chair will allow me to work with my fellow commissioners to continue to guide this work and help make a real difference for Lane County.”

Commissioner Heather Buch was also recognized for her leadership as chair during 2020 and presented with a ceremonial gavel as a gesture of thanks from her fellow commissioners.