Hamlet (Oregon)
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A hamlet in Oregon is a model of local governance that as of 2005 only exists in Clackamas County. Like hamlets elsewhere, it is a subnational entity; like New York's hamlets, the definition is unique to a state (at the moment, to one county in a state).
Hamlets in Oregon are in addition to villages in Oregon (which were defined at the same time as hamlets) and to Community Planning Organizations (CPOs), which predate both hamlets and villages.
As of December 2005, citizens within Beavercreek have applied to become a hamlet.
Definition
For purposes of the laws related to hamlets and villages, a "citizen" means either- a resident at least 18 years of age living within the boundaries of a hamlet or village, or
- a non-resident who owns property or a business there.
- an unincorporated area that is an organized forum for citizens to express issues of concern, prioritize activities, and coordinate community-based activities, as may be approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). A hamlet is financed primarily through contributions and fundraising activities.
- Hamlets are represented by an elected hamlet Board, according to procedures set forth in citizen-approved bylaws that also have been approved by the BCC. A hamlet may assume the functions of a CPO upon agreement of the existing CPO, hamlet, and BCC. Upon approval of the BCC, a hamlet may also establish relationships with neighboring jurisdictions or organizations through Memoranda of Understanding. The County may, on behalf of a hamlet, enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with other governments. Hamlets are not direct providers of services and are not empowered to generate taxes or fees.
Process
To establish a hamlet, a chief petitioner is responsible to collect the required number of citizen signatures and complete a hamlet application form within 120 days. The petition- must be signed by at least 10% of the citizens located within the proposed hamlet boundary or 100 citizens, whichever is the lesser number, and
- shall state the proposed name, preliminary purpose, boundaries, number of Board members, and activities for the hamlet.
If approved, within thirty days an organizational meeting must be held by the hamlet's citizens. The purpose of the meeting is to establish a list of candidates for the hamlet's Board. That list must also be approved by the BCC; once approved, the citizen's meet again, to vote on their board.
Once elected, the Board defines the hamlet's bylaws, which must also be approved by its citizens and the BCC. The Board also defines a hamlet's plan, which defines the activities to be undertaken by the hamlet, and which, like the bylaws, must be approved by its citizens and the BCC.
The ordinance defining hamlets defines similar processes for other aspects of hamlets, such as their dissolution. In particular, Board members acting within their authority as defined by bylaws and county policy are treated as agents of the county for claims made against the organization, officer or member for the purposes of the Oregon Tort Claims Act.
See also
External links
- [Hamlets and villages] and [Three communities apply for special status] from the Clackamas County website
- [Clackamas County Considering Hamlets and Villages], a September 2005 article from Oregon Public Broadcasting
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