01-28-26 A New Blueprint: Commissioners Honor Retirement Of Clemens And Appoint McAfee As New Building Official (Photo) - 01/28/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2026
A New Blueprint: Commissioners Honor Retirement of Clemens and Appoint McAfee as New Building Official
(Douglas County, Ore.) At their Weekly Business Meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman approved a board order presented by Human Resources Director Michael Kurtz officially appointing Phil McAfee as the new Douglas County Building Official.
McAfee’s appointment will take effect February 1, 2026, as he steps into the role following the retirement of current Building Official Bill Clemens. Clemens is retiring after 11 years of service to the County. Under Oregon law, counties that administer their own building inspection programs are required to appoint a certified Building Official to manage, enforce, and oversee compliance with state building codes.
“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,” remarked Commissioner Tim Freeman.
Bill 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, Bill accepted a position in Prineville as the Crook County Building Official, a role he held for more than 14 years while honing his expertise in building safety and code enforcement. 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. Bill was appointed to this role by then Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice, and Susan Morgan.
Over the past 35 years, Bill has witnessed and actively contributed to the evolution of building code development in Oregon and National ICC codes. When he began his career as a Building Official, many of the state’s building codes were newly adopted or still being established. He was appointed by the Governor to serve for several years on Oregon’s Building Code Structure Committee (BCSB), where he helped develop, adopt, and amend the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). The 11-member committee oversees the Structural Program and collaborates with industry professionals to maintain consistent statewide building standards. Bill also served on the Oregon Reach Code Committee, Building Officials Ethics Committee and several other specialized committees over the years. Bill takes pride in his firsthand knowledge of how and why many of Oregon’s building codes were developed over the years.
Throughout his tenure with Douglas County, Bill has been honored to lead a department built on common-sense principles and a strong commitment to customer-focused service. His can-do attitude and guiding philosophy of “always try to find a way to yes” have transformed the department’s culture over the past 11 years. At the heart of his work has always been a commitment to life safety, fire prevention, and sound building practices. Bill is confident that Phil McAfee, whom he regards as the epitome of a team player, will continue to strengthen these principles and lead the department with the same dedication, integrity, and care. While Bill has received numerous accolades throughout his career, he considers his selection as Oregon’s Building Official of the Year in 2005 to be one of his most meaningful honors. He was also twice elected President of the Oregon Building Officials Association (OBOA) and currently holds an impressive 23 professional building certifications. In retirement, Bill plans to remain an on-call consultant and resource for the Douglas County Building Department. He also looks forward to riding his enduro motorcycle, his Harley Davidson, and traveling across the country in his fifth wheel with his wife Dianna and their two “fur kids,” Floki the French Bulldog and Sassy the Pomeranian. One destination he is especially excited about is South Carolina, where he plans to visit and meet his great-grandchildren.
“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,” stated Bill Clemens, retiring Douglas County Building Official.
“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,” commended Commissioner Chirs Boice.
Phil 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 (OIT) 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 has 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. For McAfee, this transition is less about the title and more about the opportunity to carry forward the legacy of professionalism and practical Building Department philosophies established by his mentor, Clemens.
Throughout his career, McAfee has gained valuable knowledge under the guidance of Clemens, department colleagues, and a network of industry professionals, learning the importance of creativity and understanding that there is often more than one way to solve a problem. While he looks forward to growing the department through technological advancements, he is equally committed to maintaining the department’s strong “can-do” culture and staying focused on what matters most: serving the public with professionalism, flexibility, and care. His ultimate goal is for staff and customers alike is for everyone to barely notice a change in leadership.
McAfee is proud to call Douglas County home. He enjoys being a devoted family man and raising three children with his wife, Alison. He is also a successful youth sports coach and enjoys watching youth sports, and giving back to the community whenever he can.
“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,” added Board Chair and Liaison to the Douglas County Building Department, Commissioner Tom Kress.
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. On July 1, 1974, this legislation effectively created the Oregon State Building Code. The Department offers a full complement of basic inspection services from residential to commercial - electrical, mechanical, building, and plumbing. The Department is dedicated to the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of all persons who live, work or visit the “built environment” of Douglas County, by striving to provide the consistent, efficient, and effective administration of the Oregon Building Code. The Department remains fully fee supported with all operating costs being derived from permit fees collected.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountupr.gov
Assets Attached. Photo: K.Rodriguez/Douglas County
Photos:
- Commissioners with Retiring Building Official Bill Clemens
- Commissioners with McAfee and Clemens
