Columbia County Commissioner Kellie Jo Smith

Serving with Integrity and Commitment

Being elected to serve as a County Commissioner has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Every day, I strive to serve our community with transparency, honesty, and a strong sense of responsibility. As Board Chair, I know the importance of showing up, doing the work, and ensuring our government is accountable to the people it serves.

From the beginning, I have stood for open meetings, transparency in decision-making, and fairness in governance. I’ve spoken out against illegal quorums and continue to advocate for a higher standard — because I believe elected officials should be held to the same expectations as every other citizen.

I’ve worked hard to foster a genuine partnership with our State Courts, building strong relationships with our judges. Together, we’ve been addressing safety, security and building improvements. I also stay closely connected with other elected, like our Sheriff, advocating for solutions like medically assisted treatment in our jail to help those struggling with addiction find a healthier path forward.

My work also means staying connected to the people who keep our county running every day. I meet regularly with our department directors and I seek the knowledge and experiences of our staff — in fact, I cannot count how many times that I have been told by staff that I’m the only commissioner who has visited their office or who has taken the time to sit down with them. I take pride in being a good listener and an active problem solver, because I believe leadership is about collaboration and respect.

I currently serve on the Community Action Team Board, Columbia Community Mental Health Board, the Association of Oregon Counties Legislative and Investment Committees, and the National Association of Counties Human Services and Education Policy Steering Committee. These roles allow me to advocate not just at the local level but also statewide and nationally.

At the heart of it all, I show up where I’m needed. During the winter months, when the Senior Center needed meals delivered to seniors, I was honored to step in during my lunch hour and help. Moments like those remind me that service is about people first — listening, supporting, and solving problems together.

My biggest wish would be for the government processes to move faster, but no matter how long the work takes, I will keep showing up for our community with integrity, compassion, and dedication.