Coos County Area Transportation District Director Position 1
Special districts in Oregon are formed to provide specific local government needs. They are created by a vote of the people in the local area being served. Examples include people’s utility districts, library districts, water districts, fire protection districts, and more. They are governed by a board of directors, which is responsible for management and financial accountability. Special districts are empowered to levy any necessary taxes and fees to fulfill their mandate. Board members are not paid but may receive a per diem reimbursement.Transportation district boards are responsible for funding and developing transit systems that address the transportation needs of the residents in their service area.Qualifications: If the district has a supporting ordinance, employees of the district are not eligible. ORS 267.112Term: 4 years
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Harper Thompson
(N)
What skills and experience, including prior board experience, would you bring to this position?
What do you see as the current gaps in transportation service in the District?
What should the District be doing to ensure compliance with public records and public input laws?
Town Where You Live
North Bend
Your Experience/Qualifications
CAATD Advisory Committee - CCATD Budget Committee - Lane County Transportation Advisory Committee- Safe Lane Transportation Coalition - City of Coos Bay Ad Hoc Liability Committee - CBSD#9 Long Range Facilities Planning Committee - CBSD#9 City Council Rep - Political Nonprofit President -
County
OR
Term
6/31/2025
Term Expires
6/31/2029
I bring essential experience in public sector budgeting through my service on both the Coos County Area Transportation District Budget and Advisory Committees. In addition to my work with CCATD, I have developed valuable budgeting skills through executive leadership in nonprofit management and from collaborating with other government bodies that manage focused budget priorities. I have served on a wide range of public and nonprofit boards and commissions, where I strengthened my commitment to transparent, community-driven leadership. I approach all stewardship, board business, and decision-making with a deep dedication to community-centered values and inclusive outreach, ensuring public service remains accessible, accountable, and connected
One of the largest gaps in our transportation service is the absence of a dedicated Transit Center and Mobility Hub. I am proud to share that during my first term on the Budget and Advisory Committees, I worked to ensure critical resources for the preliminary planning stages were secured and properly appropriated in the 2024–2025 budget. This season, I have already begun advancing the next stages of budgeting to lay the necessary foundations to bring this vital piece of community infrastructure to life. Building a Transit Center and Mobility Hub is essential for improving accessibility, efficiency, and connectivity across the district, and I am deeply committed to helping make this vision a reality.
The District must ensure consistent and timely approval of meeting minutes, along with a clear, streamlined process for making minutes and meeting recordings easily accessible to the public. Transparency builds trust, and it is essential that public records are maintained accurately and shared promptly. In addition, the District should proactively promote opportunities for public input, making meetings and comment periods widely known and easily accessible to all community members. Strengthening our commitment to open communication and accountability ensures that public participation is meaningful and that the District’s actions remain transparent and responsive.
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