Klamath County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Klamath County declares emergency for Wrights Spring Fire, approves bridge replacement RFP

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners declared an emergency for the Wrights Spring Fire and approved a series of other items at its Aug. 11 meeting, including the sale of surplus property and a collective bargaining agreement. At its Aug. 18 meeting, the board authorized a request for proposals for a bridge replacement and handled other routine items. The board also held an emergency executive session on real property negotiations.

Aug. 11 Board of Commissioners meeting

The board voted unanimously on all items at its Aug. 11 meeting:

• Approved a resolution declaring an emergency for the Wrights Spring Fire.
• Approved the sale of surplus real property.
• Accepted a purchase offer for county-owned real property.
• Approved a collective bargaining agreement with Local 701.
• Approved an equitable sharing agreement with the federal government.
• Approved a land owner agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the Lake Ewauna site.
• Approved funding agreements with Related In Recovery and Oregon Recovers.
• Legalized a portion of Drazil Road after a public hearing.

Aug. 18 Board of Commissioners meeting

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the board approved several items unanimously:

• Authorized a request for proposals for engineering consultant services for Bridge 35C168.
• Approved the second quarter distribution of the transient room tax.
• Approved a Columbia Bank remote request agreement.
• Approved a corrected allocation of revenue from a property sale.

The board tabled a proposal to add a paralegal position for the District Attorney to next week's administrative meeting.

County Counsel emergency session

The board held an emergency executive session on Aug. 11 to deliberate with persons designated to negotiate real property transactions. The session, held at 305 Main St. in Klamath Falls, was closed to the media and public. No decisions were made publicly, and the agenda contained only procedural items.

Coming up

The Board of Commissioners will meet on Aug. 25. The agenda includes:

• Purchase of two 2025 Ford F150 Police Responder vehicles with upfitting, radios, and repeaters for the Sheriff's Office, not to exceed $200,000.
• Amendment #9 to the Waste Management franchise agreement allowing a disposal rate passthrough increase, effective Sept. 1, 2026.
• A grant application to the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs for $139,346 in pass-through funding for fiscal year 2026-27.
• Sale of property at 2450 Altamont Drive, Klamath Falls, for $15,000 gross proceeds.
• A proclamation declaring September 2026 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

The meeting is scheduled for 305 Main St., Klamath Falls, OR, in conference room #214.

Klamath County Board approves medicolegal, GIS contracts; solar project on Aug. 4 agenda

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved two service contracts at its July 28 meeting, including an amendment to the county's chief medicolegal death investigator agreement and an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Department of Revenue for GIS mapping services. Both votes were unanimous.

Contracts approved

The board approved three contracts, all unanimously:

• Amendment One of a contract with MDI Associates for Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator Services.
• Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) ORMAP IGA Contract #PO-15000-00061570.
• Pacific Office Automation Equipment/Service and Supply Contract #50-0004414.

The board also approved the minutes from its July 14 meeting.

Personnel and property actions

In a separate July 28 meeting, the board approved several staffing changes and property declarations, all unanimously:

• Adding a PH-CH position.
• Decreasing PH-WIC FTE.
• An ASR exception to hiring policy.
• A DA - DDA II hire.
• A TAX reclassification for Tax Specialist and Tax Clerk.
• Adding a DDS SC position.
• Declaring real property 3909-01500-00100 and 3909-01500-00200 as not needed for public use.
• Delegating signature authority for Justin Throne and Brian Pisan.

Emergency executive sessions

The board held emergency executive sessions on July 28 and Aug. 4 to deliberate on real property transactions and labor negotiations, and to consult with legal counsel on litigation. These sessions were closed to the public; no decisions were reported.

On the agenda: Aug. 4 meeting

The board's Aug. 4 meeting agenda includes several items that have not yet been decided:

• Purchase of six 40 cubic yard roll-off containers for $50,025.33 from Wastequip.
• Award of a $573,970 solar project at the Juvenile Department to True South Solar Inc.
• An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to allow a Battery Energy Storage System near Malin Substation.
• A 5-year MOU for Klamath Tribal Police training with KCSO.
• Extension of the Community Corrections office space lease with Chiloquin Visions in Progress for $3,202/year.

Administrative meeting

Also on Aug. 4, the board held an administrative meeting authorizing Library Director Nathalie Naveau to sign permit documents. No other major policy items were listed.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed within the next 14 days.

Klamath County Board approves contracts, staffing changes, and property declarations; solar and waste purchases on tap for August 4

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved multiple service contracts, staffing changes, and property declarations at its July 28 meeting, with a larger slate of spending decisions — including a $573,970 solar project — scheduled for August 4.

Contracts and services approved July 28

The Board unanimously approved three contracts and the July 14 meeting minutes:

• Amendment One of the contract with MDI Associates for Chief Medicolegal Death Investigator Services.
• Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) ORMAP IGA Contract #PO-15000-00061570, a GIS-related intergovernmental agreement.
• Pacific Office Automation Equipment/Service and Supply Contract #50-0004414.

All three passed on unanimous votes. The Board also recognized local achievements and received a commemorative U.S. flag, according to the minutes.

Staffing changes and property declarations

Also on July 28, the Board approved a series of personnel actions, all by unanimous vote:

• Added a PH-CH position.
• Decreased PH-WIC FTE.
• Approved an ASR exception to hiring policy.
• Approved a DA – DDA II hire.
• Approved a TAX reclassification for Tax Specialist and Tax Clerk.
• Added a DDS SC position.

The Board declared two parcels of real property — 3909-01500-00100 and 3909-01500-00200 — as not needed for public use, unanimously. It also delegated signature authority to Justin Throne and Brian Pisan for Planning and Public Works, unanimously.

Emergency executive session

County Counsel scheduled an emergency executive session for the Board of Commissioners to conduct deliberations on real property transactions and labor negotiations. Minutes for that session have not yet been published, so no decisions from it are on the record.

Coming up: August 4 meetings

The Board of Commissioners has two meetings scheduled for August 4, 2026.

The first includes several spending and policy items:

• Purchase of six 40-cubic-yard roll-off waste containers for $50,025.33 from Wastequip.
• Award of a $573,970 solar project at the Juvenile Department to True South Solar Inc.
• A Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow a Battery Energy Storage System near the Malin Substation.
• A five-year MOU for Klamath Tribal Police training with the Klamath County Sheriff's Office.
• Extension of the Community Corrections office space lease with Chiloquin Visions in Progress for $3,202 per year.

These items are listed on the upcoming agenda and have not yet been voted on.

A second August 4 administrative meeting is scheduled with no major policy decisions listed. The agenda includes authorizing Library Director Nathalie Naveau to sign permit documents. No ordinances, contracts, or public hearings are listed for that session.

Klamath County Board Approves Shelter Tax Grant, Fire District Annexation, and Infrastructure Contracts

Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved a one-time grant to help a domestic-violence shelter cover overdue taxes and unanimously approved the annexation of property into Klamath County Fire District 4 during its July 14 meetings. The board also authorized several infrastructure contracts and adopted a cost-of-living adjustment for non-union employees.

Grants and Employee Compensation

The board approved a one-time grant of $33,267.77 and $1,021.58 to Cove Community Partnership to cover overdue taxes for the domestic-violence shelter. The grant is contingent on the shelter regaining its 501(c)(3) status. The vote was 2-1, with Minty and Nichols voting yes and DeGroot voting no. This funding addresses the shelter's overdue tax liabilities.

Commissioners also approved a 2% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for non-union employees for fiscal years 2026–2028. The vote was unanimous. In other financial actions, the board adopted the county's Secure Rural Schools (SRS) fund allocation, setting it at 85% Title I, 8% Title II, and 7% Title III. The board agreed on this allocation.

Additionally, the board approved a letter of support for Project Landing Pad. Minty and DeGroot voted yes, while Nichols abstained.

Annexation and Infrastructure Contracts

The board unanimously approved the annexation of property into Klamath County Fire District 4, which affects fire protection services for the area.

Several infrastructure and procurement contracts were also approved unanimously:

• A contract with Kittleson & Associates for traffic signal and round-about plans, which will affect local traffic infrastructure.
• The purchase of a Freightliner M2 106 Plus with Carco crane from Premier Truck Group, adding to the county's public works equipment.
• A bid from J&K Deese Excavation to replace the septic system at Project Homefront, located at 5225 N Highway 97, addressing facility infrastructure.
• An agreement with Oregon Parks & Recreation, identified as Agreement 14441, for noxious-weed control, which affects land management in the county.
• Domestic Well Assistance Grant agreements, which affect water well services for residents.
• A franchise agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC.

The board also appointed Meghan Miller to the Predatory Animal Control District Board, approved a Public Works Road Shop out of class premium, and approved an SO-PA Step 4 hire request. All of these actions were unanimous.

Emergency Executive Session

On July 14, the Board of Commissioners met in an emergency executive session to discuss real property transaction negotiations, labor negotiations, and consultation with counsel regarding current or likely litigation. The session also included a review of lawyer-client communications exempt from public inspection. The session was closed to the public pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes.

Cancelled Meeting

A quarterly meeting with the Tribal Council scheduled for July 15 was cancelled. No business was conducted.

Coming up

There are no upcoming meetings listed for Klamath County government bodies in the next 14 days.

Klamath County commissioners approve shelter tax grant, labor contracts, and fire district annexation

Shelter tax grant approved in split vote

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved a one-time grant of $33,267.77 and $1,021.58 to Cove Community Partnership to cover overdue taxes for a domestic-violence shelter. The approval was contingent on the shelter regaining its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The vote was 2-1, with Minty and Nichols voting yes and DeGroot voting no.

The same July 14 meeting included a unanimous approval of a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union employees for fiscal years 2026 through 2028, and adoption of the county's Secure Rural Schools fund allocation: 85% Title I, 8% Title II, and 7% Title III.

A letter of support for Project Landing Pad passed with Minty and DeGroot voting yes and Nichols abstaining.

Labor contracts and land use actions

At the July 7 meeting, the board approved three collective bargaining agreements covering 2026 through 2029: the Oregon Nurses Association, Laborers' Union Local 737, and the Federation of Parole and Probation Officers.

The board also approved Ordinance 44.184, rezoning 4809 Altamont to General Commercial, and approved a denial of planning application CLUP/ZC 4-25. A notice of hearing was approved regarding the legalization of Drazil Road.

Martin Heim was appointed to the Predatory Animal Control District Board.

Fire district annexation and infrastructure contracts

On July 14, commissioners unanimously approved the annexation of property into Klamath County Fire District 4.

Several infrastructure contracts passed unanimously, including:

• Kittleson & Associates contract for traffic signal and roundabout plans
• Purchase of a Freightliner M2 106 Plus with Carco crane from Premier Truck Group
• J&K Deese Excavation bid to replace the septic system at Project Homefront, 5225 N Highway 97
• Franchise agreement with Spectrum Pacific West, LLC
• Agreement 14441 with Oregon Parks & Recreation for noxious-weed control
• Domestic Well Assistance Grant agreements

Meghan Miller was appointed to the Predatory Animal Control District Board, also by unanimous vote.

Federal rules comment and O&C dues

The board unanimously approved a comment letter to the Office of Management and Budget on proposed federal grant rules. It also unanimously approved an Association of O&C Counties invoice for $4,177.58.

Discussions — without recorded votes — covered Ragland Theater funding, code enforcement updates, and a property tax payment platform.

Other approved items

Additional July 7 approvals included a Pape Machinery quote for a 2026 Gradall excavator, a Crater Lake Hospitality LLC service agreement, an amended agreement with Tyler Technologies, amendment 2 to the Wynne Broadcasting agreement, amendment 2 between Klamath and Lake Community Action Services, and an OEM Homeland Security Grant agreement.

A Marine Corp League roof repair donation agreement passed 2-0 with one recusal.

Cancelled and closed sessions

A quarterly meeting with the Tribal Council scheduled for July 15 was cancelled. No business was conducted.

County Counsel scheduled an emergency executive session for the Board of Commissioners to discuss real property transaction negotiations, labor negotiations, consultation with counsel regarding current or likely litigation, and review of lawyer-client communications exempt from public inspection. The session was closed to the public pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes. Minutes were not yet published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.