(TILLAMOOK, OR. February, 2026) Over the last two and a half months, Tillamook County has evaluated its options following the one-month resignation notice submitted on December 2, 2025, by County Treasurer Shawn Blanchard. After thorough analysis and discussion, the Board of
Commissioners approved adjustments to the Treasurer position ahead of the filing deadline to better align the role with the County’s operational priorities and financial goals.
As a stopgap measure and in accordance with Oregon law, the Board of Commissioners appointed Debra Jacob as County Treasurer effective January 3, 2026. She will serve in the role until voters elect a Treasurer at the May 19, 2026, election. Jacob previously served as the County’s Director of Financial Services.
During the continued implementation of the County’s new Central Services Department — an initiative driven by the Strategic Plan for Tillamook County 2024–2028 — the Board evaluated the County’s long-term financial management structure. This review included consideration of both
statutory and non-statutory responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office to ensure alignment with the Strategic Plan.
The elected County Treasurer is a constitutionally established office under Oregon law, with core statutory duties that include banking oversight, receipting, Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) compliance, and tax distribution responsibilities. As a General Law county, Tillamook County has authority to define and structure its financial management responsibilities, provided the Treasurer’s statutory authorities are preserved.
Historically, the County has operated with a full-time elected Treasurer. Following the resignation, County staff conducted a comprehensive review of current financial operations, capacity needs, statutory requirements, and trends among comparable Oregon counties. That review found an increasing number of counties have transitioned — or are considering transitioning — from a full-time Treasurer model to part-time or alternative staffing structures. Within its population peer group, Tillamook County is now one of only two counties that continue to operate with a full-time Treasurer.
After discussion during meetings on February 11 and 18, the Board approved an Order adjusting the Treasurer position from full-time (1.0 FTE) to part-time (0.2 FTE). The Order affirms the elected Treasurer remains an independent constitutional office, accountable only to voters, and outlines the statutory duties of the position.
The Order also redesignates the Treasurer’s Office as the Finance Department, which will operate within the County’s Central Services Department, with daily operational management, strategic financial planning, and analysis provided by the Director of Financial Services.
These changes are part of a broader restructuring of the Central Services Department under the County’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. They are designed to strengthen support for County departments, enhance service delivery to the public, and ensure professional financial leadership, transparency, legal
compliance, continuity of operations, and retention of institutional knowledge.
The deadline for candidates to file for the County Treasurer position in the May 19, 2026, election is March 10, 2026. For information about filing requirements, please contact the County Clerk at 503-842-3402.
For questions regarding the Treasurer position or the restructuring process, please contract Rachel Hagerty at 503-842-3404.