The Cherriots Board of Directors has the authority to make policy and administration decisions. Each board member represents one of seven subdistricts, and their primary responsibility is one of stewardship and trusteeship. The Board establishes priorities, evaluates the performance of the transit system, and approves budgets. The Board also works with community members to improve bus service and address transit-related issues. For correspondence to the full Board, email board@cherriots.org. For more information on the strategic priorities of the District, see Cherriots Strategic Plan.
From the District’s inception until 2019, local voters elected Board members. With recent changes in Oregon law enacted by Senate Bill 1536, seats on the board have become governor-appointed positions. As of July 2019, the governor has the authority to appoint, or discharge, Board members. Board members will still be required to live in the subdistrict they represent.
SB 1536 also repealed a section of state law, ORS 267.302, that prevented the Board from imposing taxes on local business payrolls without first holding an election. Previously, the Board was required to seek voter approval for all tax increases. But this change won’t happen immediately: the Board’s ability to raise taxes administratively doesn’t take effect until January 2026.