August 20, 2025 4:00 p.m.
Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice have issued a statement regarding the Umpqua Public Transportation District.
This follows a discussion during their weekly meeting on Wednesday. Commissioner Freeman brought up the issue in response to what he claimed are numerous false rumors being circulated by other elected officials.
Freeman said, “We recognize that UPTD is currently undergoing a period of transition, including a possible delay in funding. However, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners are not involved in any aspect of the district, nor would it be appropriate for us to be involved”. Freeman said, “We wish UPTD the best during this time. We continue to believe that the most effective government is that which remains closest to the people. A dedicated transportation district, focused solely on managing local transit services, represents a strong and responsive model for meeting community needs”.
Freeman said in 2017, the Board was approached by representatives from several local agencies, along with community members, who advocated for the creation of a separate transportation district in the county. Freeman said they believed that establishing an independent district, separate from county government, would have better leverage in securing additional grant funding. In August of 2018, commissioners signed an order initiating the formation of an independent Douglas County Transportation District. Freeman said commissioners ultimately approved an order officially establishing the district, with boundaries generally aligned with those of the county.
A board of directors was elected in 2018 and that board had its first official meeting in January of 2019. The statement said the board:
*Were not involved in the last election of officers for UPTD
*Are not involved in the current issues involving UPTD
*Does not want to take over managing UPTD
*Wants to make it clear that if for some reason the current UPTD district fails, the board will not take the local transportation program back under country authority or management.
A recording of Wednesday’s meeting containing the discussion about UPTD is on the county government’s YouTube channel.: https://www.youtube.com/@douglascountyoregongov.
The full statement from the board of commissioners is linked: https://www.douglascountyor.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=312