County Commissioners Mark Retirement of Bill Clemens, Appoint Phil McAfee as New Building Official

Douglas County commissioners formally approved Phil McAfee as the county’s next Building Official during their weekly business meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, setting a February 1 effective date for the transition. The board approved a board order presented by Human Resources Director Michael Kurtz appointing McAfee to the position as current Building Official Bill Clemens retires after 11 years with Douglas County.

Oregon law requires counties that administer their own building inspection programs to appoint a certified Building Official to manage, enforce, and oversee compliance with state building codes. Commissioners used the meeting to recognize Clemens for his leadership and what they described as a consistent focus on safety while helping residents navigate projects and permitting.

Commissioner Tim Freeman told Clemens that a moment from an earlier public meeting had stayed with him and shaped how he understood the purpose of building codes and public service in the role.

“Bill, thank you for your service. You were appointed about the same time that I started at the County. You have taught me quite a bit over the years and I appreciate that. But there is one thing that I will never forget. You mentioned in a meeting where we had a few citizens that were upset about something going on with the building department and you reminded them that the building code is the minimum standard. And if your builder can’t meet the minimum standard, then you might want to think about that. I thought that was pretty profound and you changed the whole attitude of the situation everyone stopped and realized you were right. The building codes are there to make sure that when people have a building built that it is being built to at least the minimum standard, and hopefully their builder builds to a higher standard. Your approach has always been very well thought out in helping our citizens complete their projects, and never in a way that compromised safety. I think that is real testament to the kind of person you are, and the exact kind of person we look for to work for the County,” Freeman said.

Clemens’ career in building safety and code enforcement spans more than three decades across Oregon and included participation in the evolution of building standards at the state level. Clemens grew up in Half Moon Bay, California, and attended Mission Community College in Santa Clara, where he studied architecture. After a brief period running cabinet shops, he relocated to Oregon in 1990. In 1991, he accepted a position in Prineville as the Crook County Building Official, a role he held for more than 14 years. He later served as Building Official for the City of Bend and Linn County and worked as the lead FLS Plans Examiner for City of Salem and Corvallis before accepting the position of Building Official for the Douglas County Building Department in February 2015. Clemens was appointed to the role by then Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice, and Susan Morgan.

During his career, Clemens served for several years on Oregon’s Building Code Structure Committee, after being appointed by the Governor, and helped develop, adopt, and amend the Oregon Structural Specialty Code. He also served on the Oregon Reach Code Committee, the Building Officials Ethics Committee, and other specialized committees. Clemens has received numerous accolades, including being named Oregon’s Building Official of the Year in 2005. He was also twice elected President of the Oregon Building Officials Association and holds 23 professional building certifications.

As he prepared to retire, Clemens told commissioners that he came to Douglas County intentionally to finish out his career in an environment he viewed as practical and supportive.

“Eleven years ago, I made the decision to come to Douglas County to finish out my career and retire. I wanted to work for a county that was commonsensical. I have worked all over the State of Oregon and Douglas County was just the right fit for me. I have always tried to use common sense when applying codes and in finding ways for people to do what they want to do. I felt Douglas County was a good place to do that with the leadership that we have. You have been absolutely the best Commissioners I have ever worked for, and I don’t just say that it is the absolute truth. I truly appreciate all the support you have given me. My staff has been wonderful, and it has been a pleasure working here,” Clemens said.

Commissioner Chris Boice said Clemens helped residents understand why building standards exist while still working with people to find workable paths forward.

“Bill, you have been awesome. I have really enjoyed working with you. I think building officials in a lot of places get a bad rap. You are the authority when it comes to building, and that is not always popular. But you have a unique perspective in your approach to codes that help people to understand that we have rules they are important and there is a reason for them. At the same time, you work with them to get them to a place where they can do what they want on their property and that has been great to see. We want people out there helping people and you have been exceptional, and I believe Phil is going to do great,” Boice said.

McAfee will step into the role after serving in the Building Department for more than a decade. McAfee grew up in Douglas County and began his career in the light industrial field, building cell towers, before earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. After graduating, he returned home and spent 11 years running his own construction company.

McAfee joined the Douglas County Building Department in October 2014 as a Plans Examiner and was promoted to Building Inspection Supervisor in August 2016. Over the past year, he trained under Clemens in preparation for the Building Official role. McAfee is certified by the State of Oregon as a Building Official and currently holds 9 professional building certifications. In remarks shared through the county, McAfee emphasized continuity, a commitment to public service, and interest in building on department processes through technological improvements, while maintaining what county leaders described as a strong can do culture.

Board Chair and Building Department liaison Commissioner Tom Kress said the county expects a smooth transition and thanked both men for their work.

“Bill, thank you for everything. You have always been great to work with, very helpful to me, and we are definitely going to miss you. Phil, you have some really big shoes to fill, but I am pretty darn confident in you. We have a great chapter moving forward,” Kress said.

The Douglas County Building Department, a division of Douglas County government, first opened its doors in 1974 with the enactment of Senate Bill 73, which later became ORS 456 and created the Oregon State Building Code. The department provides inspection services for residential and commercial projects, including electrical, mechanical, building, and plumbing. The county said the department remains fully fee supported, with operating costs derived from permit fees collected.