[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6658260,"mediaKeyId","5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f","parentId",5024359,"title","Commissioners consider shrinking Library Advisory Committee; plan to consult committee first","audioSeconds",93,"startMs",3699000,"endMs",3792000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f&start=3699&end=3792","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f/thumbnail_3699000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658260/Klamath-County/Oregon/Commissioners-consider-shrinking-Library-Advisory-Committee-plan-to-consult-committee-first","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658260-239df16742695f8c9ad90916ca1e7400/orig.mp4?Expires=1770851137&Signature=nLtwEntILFd2dTUOMja7bPp0ZcVfl2W8yte2RnXpnrqezjoJwjfv6uoq1Rtc8pnOqTlpshDBUkcpnNNswzPBJtt7ibyeNPeLC8vmF58EwSqSAzNod2LwmVRmydb~SeDcFIMyWYZu7GoDkKhteEVY3v5m2bI9A7ELRZQKsODPF9y1ecv2dMrnrI3G225f5M06CtVfvfidqRzD-qrk2X2NT4CMKS48mbh~vuAaR7W5gAZQ6tVafWojybMhwA4fTvNp5zz4Fxy7Q6nL8ZMAusXFjiI2bLTkzdQeVDt6cl76xD-20-8pYCtJXaMYB7SM3Dd1-6ImvZo7AyaGJjhv~tKg7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Klamath County","date","2025-06-18T23:40:50.57Z","article","The board revisited a recommendation from the former Library Advisory Committee chair to reduce the committee's size to make it \"more nimble and easier to find folks for.\" Commissioners discussed geographic representation requirements and whether those had already been eliminated.

The board's liaison said they would consult the Library Advisory Committee to get its view on any membership reduction. Commissioners noted there are current vacancies and said they would return an amended copy of bylaws for board consideration if the committee supports a change.

No vote was taken. Commissioners asked staff to provide an amended bylaws draft to evaluate and to return the matter to a future agenda.

Ending: Staff will contact the Library Advisory Committee for feedback and will prepare an amended bylaws draft for the board to consider.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6-18-2025 BOCC Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The board discussed a request to reduce the size of the Library Advisory Committee and agreed to consult the committee before making a final decision on changing bylaws or membership counts.","taxTitle","Klamath County, Oregon","taxId",52087,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658265,"Commissioners debate Casita scope, reporting and audit requirements in draft contract",1252,1840000,3092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f&start=1840&end=3092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f/thumbnail_1840000.jpg","/articles/6658265/Klamath-County/Oregon/Commissioners-debate-Casita-scope-reporting-and-audit-requirements-in-draft-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658265-e64328090a1e8d10f7a56f3f9182f1dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770851137&Signature=WiZTTKDBruDFWDIgAZnO8BPCPSOMv0W2VAZEI49aBZbn1KXeA~Z0JG9dKfC3xFbHXOIZ1y9ghkOkjrCGcjosQ7~0Al4O8WGwj~Grh27K5twhSKqyVP94fpxOC8t3Z7m9rmpTtn1~FbrxEooT~njtK0HBb37CFgfk0Szoqh-WvR~6SY15ADr7HCmRoYU7GzrudEVk5wNNPrAoJASp0z1ayDAnBv9HxOd89Wh8N4EKSGGnR8bdLaDT5UjuYL5SyCRvnDQ8iXOivME7Mrv-Z0jzT-FPYyusC8SDPmCkfi~Z2~C2~pfKsvgKXaXqpROTZAx17nsTpIII0UxUTVMfCyNFhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and commissioners reviewed proposed edits to the county's contract and scope of work with Casita, the county's economic development partner, and discussed performance metrics, partner coordination, transparency of financial reporting and contract termination terms.

Vicki (county staff) summarized proposed changes from Casita leadership and edits she recommended. Commissioners debated whether to specify regional partners by name in the scope of work or to use language such as \"including but not limited to\" so the contract remains flexible over a multi-year period. One commissioner said naming current partners (SCOED, IDEA, SBDC, Innovation Hub) helps ensure those bodies participate; another said naming could create rigidity if entities change over a 3–5 year contract.

The board discussed monitoring and financial oversight. Staff and commissioners said they want to see Casita's financial statements periodically and debated reinstating a requirement for a formal audit every three years with reviews in between. One commissioner said an audit every three years and annual reviews would be appropriate and suggested the county could help fund audit costs if needed.

On termination and notice periods, staff proposed a shorter notice window if funding changes. Commissioners agreed that 60 days would be a reasonable compromise for contractor termination notice, and recommended a 60-day notification provision for county-initiated termination related to funding changes, rather than a six-month notification period the contractor requested.

Commissioners also discussed removing a proposed requirement that a county commissioner hold a seat on Casita's board, preferring instead to preserve the current liaison arrangement.

No final contract was adopted at the meeting; staff said they would update the scope and forward it to Casita for final comment and then bring a revised contract back to the board for action.

Ending: Staff will revise the scope of work to reflect the board's direction on partner language, audit requirements and notice periods and will return with a final contract for approval.","Klamath County commissioners reviewed a draft scope of work and contract changes with Casita (a regional economic development partner), debating deliverables, named partners, financial reporting and audit requirements, and termination notice periods.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658270,"County authorizes participation in grasshopper mitigation funding; committee to accept retroactive applications",266,1470000,1736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f&start=1470&end=1736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f/thumbnail_1470000.jpg","/articles/6658270/Klamath-County/Oregon/County-authorizes-participation-in-grasshopper-mitigation-funding-committee-to-accept-retroactive-applications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658270-e048eac2cd19292854f61a539232e129/orig.mp4?Expires=1770851137&Signature=Pq8S45nTDnJ0erp3EVo5j-Oq8h~BvYptLGS03GTBoD9kgGWhF30ZzvOKnCcKfbA5l9x5krnpnisFmiaUpR4PWlcgkm0npfaimIWoo8e3hNp3Ok4M4bufwFIQuiVOg383ZwoHfbYgK9iOFZl40cRhvNG2XgGZxTX8qu9YBAItTaegcmgvR7rK0HabBkoljzlW4UYNVna0wGY5nWokqRf82STAwayVDqiiL3JofpwI6v6arJZF7EG8jFlyrwOCQug-MagpenH9~R1fp-r-8AFIeEIFDpLFmAfFFfR5jc11HvurtoJWc1JF5ZRBEguA2wwoz7xQiSwiKXW0auU-0QpBHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff briefed commissioners that the Oregon Department of Agriculture has made a regional cost-share available to counties for grasshopper mitigation, with an estimated per-county share of about $90,000 to $108,000 depending on final allocations.

A county official said the funding can be spent on cost sharing, held for future events, or pooled across counties. The board discussed the rapid timeline for acceptance and distribution; staff said the funder required a signed authorization by Tuesday.

Commissioner DeGroot moved to \"allow Commissioner DeGroot to sign to authorize us to participate in the grasshopper funding,\" and a commissioner seconded. The board then approved the motion by voice vote; a formal roll-call tally was not recorded in the transcript.

Commissioners and staff directed the county’s existing grasshopper committee to reconvene quickly, reopen applications and consider retroactive applications from last season where appropriate. Staff and attendees discussed prior payments and reimbursements from last season, including that the county had previously received an initial payment of $100,000 and later approximately $48,000 (about $40,800 referenced when matching to a 75% reimbursement rate). Officials urged caution on immediate spending and recommended collecting provider cost estimates before committing funds.

Quotes in context: \"If it was to be divided equally amongst all of the counties... $90,000 it's up to 108 now depending on whether or not they find any over the course of the next 2, 3 days,\" a county official said. After the motion, the chair called for \"All in favor signify with an I,\" and an attendee answered \"Aye;\" no roll-call vote tally was provided in the record.

Ending: The board authorized county participation by voice vote and directed staff and the committee to proceed with reopening applications and reviewing retroactive claims; staff will work with partners and providers to scope costs and timing.","Klamath County commissioners authorized participation in a state Department of Agriculture cost-sharing grant for grasshopper mitigation and gave the existing committee latitude to consider retroactive applications; the board approved authorization by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658274,"Klamath Water Users urge new Reclamation plan, raise power and billing concerns",1016,180000,1196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f&start=180&end=1196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024359-150f3e15ca78a1bfbd05d2b11c3fb31f/thumbnail_180000.jpg","/articles/6658274/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-Water-Users-urge-new-Reclamation-plan-raise-power-and-billing-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658274-708f2c3d842c17f2a80e97367a49e385/orig.mp4?Expires=1770851137&Signature=HBytKCP22pyxqm6ygUlS4hSSsGIwv8HJcG35bK0~ApWxEfwR5UdjCbJ9mL~CPq1kZdE2Rj6~spxVQw9UMqTj~OFw41gKrXx10026u31-pN0Udc2KDNChLS1b6UMIug7bIo6m5gDEQRByaJ~EbujM8vsd3v3N3WMgpdXAY-TB-FeDGQPjMOb4ajFFoU6WxEtk-sQ~mdK2PNdYt4SAQF5ICk3LWJpCkq51mhzHJKoAmbKoedIY1yieMK7HLZxztMUGXqBqsnPJTh2pPZ3o-Jo4OHypg4kJ0~ACA4FjveMKYM1h-EOY~blPbKFPBSBobHqb7czw9hF1Df4ncY8EkZ-wuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elizabeth Nielsen, executive director of the Klamath Water Users Association, told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners that new legal guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior requires reconsultation with the Bureau of Reclamation and a new operational plan for the project.

\"This legal guidance says that, that operation of Upper Klamath Lake and specifically Link River Dam for the purposes of flood control and project deliveries is a nondiscretionary,\" Nielsen said. She added that the project currently is being operated under a plan developed in late 2024 and that the association’s top priority is securing a revised plan through consultation with Reclamation.

Why it matters: Nielsen said the current plan leaves irrigators vulnerable in years that are not as wet as the present one, and that meeting irrigation needs this year was possible only because of unusually good water conditions. The association also raised separate, ongoing concerns about rising power costs, recent safety-related deenergizations by Pacific Power and billing practices that rely on historical billing when meters fail to report.

On power and billing, Mason Justice, a representative from Congressman Cliff Vince’s office who accompanied Nielsen, offered congressional support. Dave Hensley, a lobbyist with United Strategies and Consulting who represents the association, described the group’s size and economic impact: the association represents roughly 220,000 agricultural acres, about 1,200 family farms and ranches, and an estimated basin economic impact of $367,000,000.

The group also told commissioners it plans to continue advocacy around managed aquifer recharge (MAR) and has been meeting with the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) about recharge projects. Nielsen said the message to OWRD is that to reduce reliance on groundwater, surface water deliveries must be protected and prioritized.

Nielsen and Hensley discussed federal and state developments. Nielsen said Department of Interior guidance clarifies which actions are discretionary for ESA consultation and that the association aims to reconsult on project operations with Reclamation. Hensley said lawmakers in Salem have taken interest in the association’s power-billing concerns and that representatives Reschke and McIntyre had reached out to Pacific Power and the Oregon PUC.

On legislation, Hensley urged the county to oppose Senate Bill 1153, a water-transfer bill the association says would create delays and curtail flexibility in water-right transfers. \"Delays and uncertainty in water transfer process will have direct negative impacts on climate basins agricultural economy and rural communities,\" he said, reading from the association’s written opposition.

Quotes in context: \"We represent 220,000 agricultural acres... 1,200 family farms and ranches... economic impact... $367,000,000,\" Hensley said while distributing a one-page summary of the association’s profile. \"If you wanna keep us out of the ground, then you need to fight above the surface with us and make sure that we're getting surface water deliveries,\" Nielsen said regarding MAR efforts.

The presenters also flagged local concerns arising from past dam-removal work and communications planning around Keno Dam, saying irrigators felt excluded from some discussions and that fish-screening questions remain unresolved.

The county took no formal vote on the items presented; commissioners agreed to continue regular coordination with the association and staff follow-up on specific matters raised.

Ending: Commissioners said they would keep the association engaged, and staff noted quarterly meetings are scheduled to continue discussion of managed aquifer recharge, power-billing complaints, and legislative priorities.","Klamath Water Users Association leaders told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners that recent Department of Interior legal guidance alters how the Endangered Species Act applies to Link River Dam operations, and they sought county support on power cost, historical billing complaints, and opposition to Senate Bill 1153.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners consider shrinking Library Advisory Committee; plan to consult committee first

Commissioners debate Casita scope, reporting and audit requirements in draft contract

County authorizes participation in grasshopper mitigation funding; committee to accept retroactive applications

Klamath Water Users urge new Reclamation plan, raise power and billing concerns