Douglas County Commissioners to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Winchester Ridge Water District
Douglas County commissioners will hold a Jan. 7 public hearing to consider forming the Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District. The proposal would create a new water utility entity for residents in the unincorporated Winchester Ridge area.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — The Douglas County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on January 7 to consider a petition for the formation of a new government entity, the Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District (WRDWSD).
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Room 216 of the Douglas County Courthouse, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg. The hearing will provide an opportunity for public comment before commissioners decide whether to approve the petition.
According to county records, the proposal was initiated by a group of property owners. The decision on whether to approve the formation of the district rests with the Board of Commissioners.
Purpose of the Proposed District
If approved, the Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District would be responsible for managing domestic water utility services for residents living in Winchester Ridge, a neighborhood within the unincorporated community of Winchester.
Details regarding governance, administration, and the timeline for implementation have not yet been publicly detailed outside of documents filed with Douglas County. County officials have not indicated who would oversee the district if the petition is approved.
Authority Under Oregon Law
Oregon law outlines the powers and responsibilities of domestic water supply districts under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 264.
Under the statute, a domestic water supply district is authorized to supply water for domestic purposes to properties within its boundaries, establish and collect water rates, and propose rate increases.
Oregon law outlines the powers and responsibilities of domestic water supply districts under Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 264. While the statute allows certain districts to levy taxes under specific conditions, Douglas County officials have stated that the proposed Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District does not include a permanent tax rate and would not be a taxing district as proposed.
Fire Protection Authority
ORS Chapter 264 also allows domestic water supply districts, with voter approval, to participate in certain public safety functions.
When authorized by district electors, a district may purchase and maintain fire equipment, install fire hydrants, adopt fire prevention codes, and enter intergovernmental agreements for fire protection.
If approved by voters, districts may levy an additional tax not to exceed 0.0015 percent of the real market value of taxable properties within the district to fund fire protection services.
Public Notice and District Boundaries
A public notice issued by Douglas County identifies Coffman as the chief petitioner for the proposed district and outlines the legal description of the land proposed to be included within the district boundaries, which encompass multiple lots and tracts within the Winchester Ridge subdivisions as recorded in Douglas County plat records.
The notice states that the purpose of the proposed district is to provide inhabitants within its boundaries with water for domestic use. The notice was published on December 19, 2025, and January 2, 2026, in accordance with county requirements.
Ongoing Discussion
The proposed formation of the Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District comes amid ongoing public discussion about water management, governance, and long-term infrastructure planning in the Winchester area.
Some residents and community members have raised questions about how the district would be governed, how water rates and taxes would be set, and whether existing infrastructure is sufficient to support a new water utility district. Others have expressed interest in understanding how the proposed district could affect future development and public services in the area.
Some residents and community members have raised questions about how the district would be governed, how water rates would be set, and whether existing infrastructure is sufficient to support a new water utility district. Douglas County officials state that the proposed Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District has no connection to the Winchester Dam.
County officials have stated that the January 7 public hearing is intended to gather public input and clarify outstanding questions before any decision is made. Commissioners have not indicated a position on the proposal ahead of the hearing.
Public Participation
All interested members of the public are permitted to attend the January 7 hearing and provide testimony. Commissioners are expected to hear public comment and review the petition before determining whether the proposed Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District will move forward.
No decision has been announced in advance of the hearing.
This article has been updated to clarify that the proposed Winchester Ridge Domestic Water Supply District does not include a permanent tax rate and would not function as a taxing district as proposed, according to Douglas County officials. Language regarding district governance was refined to reflect that certain details are available in public filings with Douglas County. The article was also updated to clarify that Douglas County officials state the proposed district has no connection to the Winchester Dam.
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