Asset Management Plan

Tillamook County’s road network is the county government’s most valuable physical asset. In 2008, the replacement value of the 374 miles of county roads was estimated at $304 million. The County transportation network has been underfunded for years and the condition of county roads is declining. County roads have been rated by technical experts as the worst in Oregon. An additional $37.5 million is needed to bring paved rods, bridges, and guardrails to good condition. Recurring natural disasters have added to the burden of providing safe roads and bridges in Tillamook County, the key to the county’s businesses and economy, and safe passage of the citizens in Tillamook County to schools, hospitals, and residences. Emergency management activities expenditures were $761,000 in 2008. This is a 125% increase from 2007 to 2008.

Concerned about the declining condition of county roads and bridges the Board of County Commissioners authorized the Road Department to document the condition and value of County road assets and identify the risks that must be managed in the County. This approach, known as asset management, helps target available road dollars so that the greatest risks are managed for the least cost.    

The Board of Commissioners adopted the asset management policy with Board Order #09-054 that commits the County Board to implement this systematic asset management methodology in managing the county transportation network. This will influence how all road assets are managed, road assets planned and financial options identified. Tillamook County’s move to embrace this management philosophy has brought state, national and international recognition to the Public Works Department. Asset management is recognized in the U.S. and other countries as the best way to minimize long-term costs and improve the stewardship of County transportation network.  

There are four reports that came out of this process,