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ClackCo Works

Clackamas County

Have you ever wondered how Clackamas County works to improve the lives of its residents? Or what the county's 2,500+ employees do for you on a regular basis?
If so, check out our new podcast, ClackCo Works, where we share what the county is doing to serve our community. Join us for engaging discussions about the programs and services we provide.

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  • 16 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 13 min
  • English
  • Wednesday · 15 min

    Caring for dogs in our community

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, host Dylan Blaylock talks with Kristine Wallace, manager of Clackamas County Dog Services, about the important work her team does for local dogs and the community. Kristine explains how the shelter cares for stray and displaced dogs, focusing on cleanliness, enrichment, and animal well-being. She shares the value of dog licensing, the impact of volunteers and donations, and the unique challenges her small team faces. Tune in to discover how you can help make a real difference for pets in Clackamas County.

  • June 15 · 15 min

    Building codes and permitting

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, host Dylan Blaylock talks with Matt Rozell, Clackamas County’s Building Codes Administrator, to break down how building codes shape our homes and communities. Matt explains the history behind these codes and why they are so important for safety. He also walks listeners through the permitting process and discusses how his team of 50 works together to handle thousands of permits and countless customer questions each year. Tune in to learn how building codes affect your daily life.

  • April 28 · 18 min

    Infectious disease control and prevention

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, Dr. Sarah Present, Clackamas County’s health officer, gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how her team protects the community from infectious diseases. She shares real stories about tracking illnesses like measles and tuberculosis, and describes how quick teamwork stopped a hepatitis A outbreak before it spread. Dr. Present highlights the importance of prevention, education, and strong partnerships in keeping people safe. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the dedicated professionals working every day to keep Clackamas County healthy. Tune in to discover how their compassion and expertise make a real difference.

  • April 16 · 14 min

    Inspecting restaurants, pools, childcare, and more

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, Julie Hamilton, Environmental Health Program Manager for Clackamas County, gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how her team keeps the community safe. She explains how they inspect everything from pools and childcare centers to restaurants, often showing up unannounced to catch issues before they become serious. Julie shares real stories about helping local businesses fix problems like unsafe food temperatures and poor handwashing. She also talks about the growing challenge of unlicensed food vendors and why proper licensing matters. Tune in to discover how these dedicated professionals help make Clackamas County a safer place to eat, play, and live.

  • March 26 · 20 min

    Exploring the impact of tourism in Clackamas County

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, Dylan Blaylock talks with Lizzie Keenan, executive director of the Clackamas County Office of Tourism, about the powerful role tourism plays in the local community. Lizzie explains how creative programs—like their mascot Monty the river otter—and smart investments help attract visitors while also improving life for residents. The discussion covers how tourism supports local jobs and businesses, and how the money brought in is reinvested into community projects such as trails and festivals. Lizzie also shares how her team targets different visitor groups and works to spread the benefits of tourism across the county. Tune in to discover how tourism drives growth and keeps Clackamas County vibrant.

  • March 13 · 14 min

    Money moves with the Clackamas County Treasurer

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, Clackamas County Treasurer Brian Nava explains how his office keeps the county’s finances running smoothly. He describes the Treasurer’s Office as the county’s bank, managing a $2 billion budget, investing funds safely, and making sure property tax dollars reach over 120 local districts like schools and fire departments. Nava also talks about the importance of transparency, regular audits, and the checks and balances that come with his role. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at how their tax dollars are managed and why the Treasurer’s Office is so important to the community. Tune in to discover how a dedicated team protects and grows Clackamas County’s resources.

  • February 23 · 8 min

    All rise for the Law Library

    Jennifer Dalglish, the law librarian at Clackamas County’s Alden E. Miller Law Library, explains how the library is a crucial resource for anyone needing legal information or support. The library serves everyone, from lawyers to everyday residents, offering both in-person and virtual help. Listen in to learn how the law library empowers the community and why it’s still essential in today’s digital world. ClackCo Works shares what the county is doing to serve our community through discussions with county staff about the programs and services we provide, as well as the hopefully not-too-wonky discussion about funding, and, of course, our terrible jokes!

  • February 9 · 9 min

    LINCC-ing Our Community Together

    Rick Peterson, Library Network Manager for Clackamas County, discusses the Libraries in Clackamas County (LINCC) system, in which 13 libraries collaborate to share nearly 2 million items each year. Peterson discusses the cost-saving technology behind their central hub, the seamless interlibrary loan system that connects patrons to materials nationwide, and the many ways libraries are evolving to meet community needs. ClackCo Works shares what the county is doing to serve our community through discussions with county staff about the programs and services we provide, as well as the hopefully not-too-wonky discussion about funding, and, of course, our terrible jokes!

  • January 21 · 12 min

    Advisory Boards & Commissions in Clackamas County

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with Community Relations Specialist Donna Hockey, to talk about Advisory Boards & Commissions (ABCs) in the county. Learn the types of ABCs, why they're important, and how ABCs help our community have a say in the policies that affect them.ClackCo Works shares what the county is doing to serve our community through discussions with county staff about the programs and services we provide, as well as the hopefully not-too-wonky discussion about funding, and, of course, our terrible jokes!

  • January 7 · 12 min

    Protecting water quality in Clackamas County

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with the Director of Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) to discuss how WES protects water quality in Clackamas County. Tune in to learn about their wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education. ClackCo Works shares what the county is doing to serve our community through discussions with county staff about the programs and services we provide, as well as the hopefully not-too-wonky discussion about funding, and, of course, our terrible jokes!

  • S1 · E5
    Oct 23, 2025 · 13 min

    Preparing for and managing disasters in Clackamas County

    In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with the Director of the Office of Disaster Management to discuss how they help our community prepare for and respond to disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, and fires. Tune in to this episode to learn about the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and how it works as well as how you can best be prepared for when a disaster strikes. ClackCo Works shares what the county is doing to serve our community through discussions with county staff about the programs and services we provide, as well as a hopefully not-too-wonky discussion about funding —and, of course, our terrible jokes!

  • S1 · E3
    Sep 18, 2025 · 15 min

    Health, housing, and human services in Clackamas County

    Over 800 employees in Health, Housing & Human Services (H3S) support the community through health clinics, housing services, restaurant inspections, public health, and so much more. In this episode of ClackCo Works, we sit down with Mary Rumbaugh, Director of H3S, to discuss how the largest county department serves the community and its focus on a recovery-oriented system of care. Learn more at https://www.clackamas.us/h3s

  • S1 · E1
    Aug 20, 2025 · 53 sec

    Services, programs, operations and bad jokes

    ClackCo Works host, Dylan Blaylock, and producer, Garrett Teague, invite you to tune into ClackCo Works for some not-too-wonky discussions about Clackamas County services, programs, and county operations. We'll even throw in some bad jokes!

  • S1 · E3
    Aug 5, 2025 · 20 min

    How we maintain ClackCo roads with Assistant Director of Transportation Mike Bezner

    Where we're going, we DO need roads. And maintenance and funding! ClackCo Works host Dylan Blaylock sits down with Mike Bezner, the Assistant Transportation Director for the Department of Transportation and Maintenance, to talk about how Clackamas County staff maintain and operate over 1,400 miles of roads.

Showing 1–16 of 16 episodes