Hermiston Advances 2040 Vision with 2025 Accomplishments

Each Each January, the Hermiston City Council and staff outline a set of goals to guide city projects and initiatives for the coming year. These goals reflect the City’s 2040 Vision and Action Plan, adopted in 2022 with input from the community and local organizations. The annual goals are organized into four categories that define the kind of community Hermiston strives to be: Growing and Prosperous; Safe and Healthy; Sustainable; and Connected and Engaged.

As part of the annual goal-setting process, the City reviews progress made in the prior year. In 2025, Hermiston completed a variety of projects, ranging from highly visible improvements such as the remodeled Hermiston Public Library and the Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex to foundational efforts, including completion of the Urban Growth Boundary amendment and signing an agreement with Amazon to add an RV park at the Eastern Oregon Trade & Event Center.

The City also launched several community outreach tools, including the My Hermiston app and the Inside Hermiston newsletter, to make Hermiston a more inclusive and connected community.

Below is a review of 2025’s progress toward a stronger community. To visit previous years’ goal setting outlines, visit https://www.hermiston.gov/citycouncil/page/city-council-goals

Growing + Prosperous. Thriving economy, housing, education, and community services

• Opened remodeled public library and added public services
• Signed agreement with Amazon to build an RV Park at EOTEC
• Funded Club 24 façade grant
• Awarded an incentive package to a 276-unit market rate apartment complex
• Renewed service contract with Umatilla County Special Library District
• Updated Hermiston Taxi contract
• Allowed for ridesharing companies to operate in the city
• Expanded Urban Growth Boundary
• Adopted largest balanced budget in city history

Safe + Healthy. Public safety, health care, recreation, and wellness

• Opened the 10-court Good Shepherd Pickleball Complex with naming rights agreement
• Kicked off and designed Agape House addition project
• Signed Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) police funding agreement
• Adopted a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Police Association
• Named Sherman Park with community input

Sustainable. Infrastructure, utilities, fiscal responsibility, and long-term planning

• Acquired land for future expansion of Hermiston Airport
• Completed an Urban Growth Boundary amendment
• Updated the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• Updated Master Fee Schedule
• Started Aquifer Storage and Recovery projects
• Started NW 2nd Street and Dogwood Local Improvement District
• Approved new power agreement with Bonneville Power Administration
• Approved curbside recycling to be added in 2026
• Updated UEC franchise
• Reduced electric franchise fee rate

Connected + Engaged. Governance, partnerships, access, and community inclusion

• Launched My Hermiston app, Inside Hermiston monthly newsletter, and Ask Hermiston web tool
• Facebook and Instagram posts were viewed more than 4.6 million times
• Held four City Chats
• Held 2nd Annual Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy
• Held annual goal setting
• Reviewed old Council rules and adopted updated rules
• Examined committee / board structure
• Started Charter review process