Membership Profile

SDAO Membership Information

Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO) was formed in 1979 to give special districts a stronger and united voice at the Oregon Legislature. As with similar associations that support cities, counties, schools, and local governments, the Association provides advocacy with state administrative agencies and other units of government, training, information resources, and other support programs. SDAO has grown its membership to over 900 local government members. To the left, you will see a graphic representation of our membership profile.

To learn more about membership with SDAO, please view our membership guide.




What is a Special District?
Special districts are a form of local government. They are created by their constituents to meet specific service needs for their communities. Most perform a single function such as water delivery, fire protection, wastewater or cemetery maintenance, to name a few. Some, like county service districts, provide multiple services.

Types of Special Districts

• Airport
• Cemetery Maintenance
• County Service
• Diking
• Domestic Water Supply
• Drainage
• Emergency Communication
• Fire Protection
• Geothermal Heating
• Health
• Heritage
• Highway Lighting
• Irrigation
• Library
• Mass Transit
• Metropolitan Service
• Park and Recreation
• People’s Utility
• Ports
• Predator Control
• Radio and Data
• 9-1-1 Communications
• Road Assessment
• Sand Removal
• Sanitary
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Special Road
• Transportation
• Vector Control
• Water Control
• Water Improvement
• Weather Modification
• Weed Control

Special District Funding
Special districts are funded either through property tax revenues, fees charged to customers for services or a combination of the two.

Where are Oregon's special districts?


This map will show you where SDAO's special district members are located in the state.
SDAO Members By Type
Entity TypeCount
10 Road87
12 Park & Recreation55
14 Cemetery39
16 Port23
18 Soil & Water Conservation46
20 Vector18
22 Hospital / Health29
24 Drainage27
26 Library26
28 Water Control21
30 Transit13
34 Communications13
42 Public Utility10
44 Council of Government1
46 County Service6
50 Miscellaneous25
52 Fire / Ambulance258
54 Water132
56 Irrigation80
58 Sanitary51