[{"_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",6514720,"mediaKeyId","5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3","parentId",5024425,"title","Votes at a glance: Harney County Court actions, June 18, 2025","audioSeconds",6475,"startMs",103000,"endMs",6578000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3&start=103&end=6578","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3/thumbnail_103000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514720/Harney-County/Oregon/Votes-at-a-glance-Harney-County-Court-actions-June-18-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514720-718deea9e0a7bfa92d07a3555684321d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775435989&Signature=MHCVnwMXF8Zng0FyeXgX1KgIFrNP4x~AE9ZoYJ0qpoPWy8kDc~x3xr9~dxWu2GzPl1z4pibm1nOi9C-78qxVCPzij0O5d~SklfoCL1Ad9K-~~PzT~vy--TPP47r2qESkMUWcfQ6FZG331Cgwn8~rXi2oTBNiuoqv40hSBPn8os5xqxY3y68ygqPlHT6GN2TfiUdgGdPG3acG2eWHjX-DVHzM2-18NJJx4o4sLlTYLcKPOgU5wvTTC1J6lLmSdRko4xHtG0K2B~ZtvnmgeFFP4l-T8XPmAZ50RT0MaTwIHaY4HWhQp7PKJ2QZCrtbd3SY8A8owaCfE1HlYzNE~FenQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harney County","date","2025-06-18T20:41:22.723Z","article","At its June 18 session Harney County Court took several formal actions on routine and policy items.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval — Outcome: approved unanimously. The court approved the June 18 regular session agenda as presented; members noted minor sequencing changes to accommodate presenters.

- Minutes approval (June 4, 2025 regular session) — Outcome: approved unanimously. The court approved the minutes from the June 4 regular session without further discussion.

- Telework policy adoption — Outcome: approved unanimously. The court voted to adopt the proposed telework policy and add it to the county employee handbook. A motion to adopt the policy was made and seconded and carried with all voting \"aye.\"

- Wolf-resolution (delisting/state requests) — Outcome: tabled. Commissioner Frank moved to table language expanding the earlier resolution to add state-level asks; the court voted to table the resolution until the next regular session to allow more time for drafting and review.

No roll-call vote tallies naming individual commissioners were recorded in the transcript for these items; the minutes show standard \"aye\"/\"hearing none\" responses for approval motions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Court Regular Session 06/18/25","oneSentenceSummary","Harney County Court approved the meeting agenda and previous meeting minutes, adopted a telework policy into the employee handbook and voted to table a wolf delisting resolution until the next session.","taxTitle","Harney County, Oregon","taxId",73536,"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},6514724,"County, Symmetry Care negotiate short-term extension as state CFAA language fuels liability concerns",2209,3829000,6038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3&start=3829&end=6038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3/thumbnail_3829000.jpg","/articles/6514724/Harney-County/Oregon/County-Symmetry-Care-negotiate-short-term-extension-as-state-CFAA-language-fuels-liability-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514724-2cd6402bb1cf1310d6d2f821db5d87af/orig.mp4?Expires=1775435989&Signature=OG54ULIqLJ6qdMp5m-9~qiUd8xXj~JRb9yGm0a9vu~wDhF5OhLdXBYQshQZEbmXdT1Eek29shwul3uc984WbqV~gnHNokU8cjZQhLta3SWohAXJFahq65EfWbOporHxpx22hc0L8kP59AAGDVowPvVgP45DM-jD4bNAXwlt0dTChFo078n2tNEHHfdnmIb5U0ulWqSBHMyXYy6rsvGeX-cBWPKfwjBHPyPzc9L6LSzTweNs44GA~92GYaJCEsL60HxZnV2PbLvXf6AQFlRA0A70R0OYu4yYzcZLtFgJvQNAldANREhyNkuCuViupWWR6J8BwG9JjJLue8xi9lRGzjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Symmetry Care and members of Harney County Court spent an extended portion of the June 18 meeting discussing the county’s provider contract for community mental health services and how new state Financial Assistance Grant Agreement (CFAA) language could shift liability and funding responsibility to local governments.

Symmetry Care representatives said they and statewide associations are aligned in opposing the state’s proposed CFAA language but stressed the immediate operational problem: if they do not have an executed contract in place by July 1, the county’s community mental health program could lose its local contractor and jeopardize access to services. “We gotta get something done so that we can continue to operate,” a Symmetry Care representative told the court.

County officials raised multiple concerns with the current draft of the contract and asked for clearer, front-loaded language that explicitly states how authority, signature rights and the CFAA relationship are delegated. Commissioners flagged passages describing the county delegating mental-health-authority duties to the contractor and sections that condition performance on the availability of funds; the court sought explicit assurances and contract language clarifying that the contractor’s acceptance of delegated duties also includes protections for the county.

Key topics discussed:
- Delegation and liability: The contract assigns the contractor responsibility to operate the Community Mental Health Program (CMHP) “as if it were the county,” and the parties debated whether that assignment subjects the contractor to county-specific legal obligations, ethics rules and audit responsibilities. The contract text also repeatedly references the CFAA and the county’s continuing statutory responsibility if a provider contract terminates.
- Funding and termination clauses: The contract includes termination language for lack of funding and for cause; county counsel and Symmetry Care agreed to revise language for clarity and to consider a time-limited extension option while statewide negotiations over the CFAA continue.
- Statewide negotiation context: County officials said Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) and the Association of Community Mental Health Programs have been negotiating with the governor’s office, but Symmetry Care reported limited movement; meeting participants said statewide actors continued to press for amendments but that the governor’s staff had been firm in recent discussions.

Next steps: County attorneys and Symmetry Care agreed to exchange suggested contract edits and to fast-track review so court can approve a short-term extension or revised contract before the end of June. Commissioners signaled willingness to call a special county-court session if a finalized draft is ready for signature; suggested target dates discussed at the meeting included June 25 and June 30.

Ending: Court members emphasized the priority is continuity of care and avoiding a service interruption, even as they continue to press for contract edits that limit county liability and clarify delegation and funding responsibilities.","Harney County and Symmetry Care discussed contract language and liability tied to the state’s proposed CFAA. The parties agreed to seek county-counsel revisions and explore a short-term contract or extension to avoid a July 1 service interruption.",{"_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},6514729,"Harney County long-term recovery group racing to spend $100,000 flood relief grant",1242,2226000,3468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3&start=2226&end=3468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3/thumbnail_2226000.jpg","/articles/6514729/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-long-term-recovery-group-racing-to-spend-100000-flood-relief-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514729-94a35f30088bc37fbea47ec0717b4d19/orig.mp4?Expires=1775435989&Signature=ETogmxzL3OkN~TJ8RjQLImE7suBugW7Qf7TUN3tijmRxNVrzFQpOjfYW91jc2aMxKj4YfQkBO1d5cUe7gIVvQkDY6XzsEKdeAlQx4HFmug~saoq6rUJZ4S3W3u8PP5iMQd6aLWjSQ2Cx2KjK~58iXGucMFUirQgKFGEeKmpsYd6HQ7rKX1oNzCD3b7qHfMvuR8vB9-OmLz8Eb-THsXgVQglOiNeiINw0jgJuuhzwA1GPppLINFDTL1EDdoU4pNkQv5Bb80QrGabnr0Plt1DV3-IiolcUWRuYgoEbfQu0HirxTMToB1oigevBu32-Zj6dKNZxP07eSqkwzXaFlJffFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bob Yonker (spelled both Juncker and Yonker in the meeting transcript), vice chair of the Harney County Long Term Recovery Group, updated Harney County Court on June 18 about a short-term $100,000 flood-relief grant and outreach to affected residents.

Yonker told the court the long-term recovery group has incorporated under the Harney Hub’s nonprofit umbrella and is meeting weekly. He said the group has been working with a loan/case manager, Christy Mace of the Harney Hub, who has processed assessments and distributed funds. “We have a $100,000 grant that’s available… we have until the end of the month to spend that $100,000,” Yonker said, adding that roughly half of the funds have been applied to cases so far and that about 40 families or situations have received assistance.

The group reported it has collected several databases from the American Red Cross, Rubicon and ODHS and consolidated those records to identify affected addresses and households; Yonker said his working database currently lists about 80 potentially affected addresses. Outreach has included mailed letters, social media, radio announcements and word of mouth; Harney Hub staff and the Burns City Hall have distributed information and paper assessments.

Eligibility and uses: Yonker said the grant primarily targets private residences and property and covers damage caused by floodwaters — for example, structural repairs, flooring, insulation, electrical and appliances. He said landlords and commercial rental properties present a more complex eligibility question; the group’s current interpretation is that funds are intended for private-residence impacts and personal property rather than commercial or landlord-paid repairs.

Tribal lands and ownership questions: Yonker said the group welcomes tribal residents to apply, but deferred detailed questions about funds on tribal land to the loan/case manager and county authorities; he said the group is not using race or ownership as a screening factor and is asking anyone who believes they were affected to complete the assessment so the group can evaluate individual cases.

How to apply: Yonker said a Google Forms pre-assessment is available and that Burns City Hall and Harney Hub maintain hard copies for people who prefer in-person assistance. He asked anyone unsure whether they were affected to fill out the form so the group can document and reassess later if additional needs arise.

Yonker and commissioners said the recovery group is intended to be a standing resource for future disasters as well as the current flood response. The court noted county staff — including the emergency manager and public health representation — are on the recovery group. No formal county appropriation or vote on the grant occurred; the group is operating under the Harney Hub nonprofit and the deadline to obligate remaining funds is the end of the month.

Ending: Yonker urged anyone possibly affected to submit an assessment and asked the county to help amplify outreach via county web and social channels.","The Harney County Long Term Recovery Group told court it has about $100,000 in grant funds for flood-impacted residents, has used roughly half for about 40 families, and needs to spend remaining funds before the end of the month.",{"_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},6514734,"Predator-control contractor reports wolves, bears and funding shortfall in Harney County",1985,215000,2200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3&start=215&end=2200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5024425-83ca843ea6de22fa21e4f25ee97522f3/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6514734/Harney-County/Oregon/Predator-control-contractor-reports-wolves-bears-and-funding-shortfall-in-Harney-County","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514734-b40ba374179134b1b61256d23b8d684c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775435989&Signature=SGuT0F88KHTM6dg~yG3O3RivU-AZYRCsGVipgDqWP7isgstBVMISkppSjKCzvxXN~0IuEOSoWopv8UEG16yLuV-Pnaa1iGI4Ggdmu2jIJyvJYFi0BfJdXb2UYpjgesFIq7y2njVcjaOZ4c4gDhKe~MfGG7sMXnQY2KfMokVifsVqWbVO~rwxJox7ypLtyNOtd--M~mB-w5o3hfsVEFEBNvlcO6VgY~LChAjsg9Ey9lXxgbUJCu~x1TWzXCZhXe2MyeWjgv5majUvCdmLUUTXDGQl-KsmiX00~XyGzgOWx4c99pbUFzwT0gTFnd0gZAun2Eug8T6nZw2EEjU2SkL7AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Kemper, a contractor with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) predator-control program, gave Harney County Court an update on wildlife activity and the difficulties of maintaining predator-control services under the current funding structure.

Kemper told the court crews have responded to wolf and bear depredations this spring, removed problem animals and flown monitoring and control missions when weather allowed. “There are wolves here. No doubt about it,” Kemper said during the update, describing attacks on calves and other livestock across the county.

Court members and Kemper discussed beaver relocation plans, raven and starling control at the landfill, bobcat and badger complaints from residents, and seasonal patterns that affect animals’ behavior. Kemper said beaver relocations are planned between July and October to avoid moving young animals and to give them time to establish in new areas.

The meeting also focused on how the county funds predator control. The transcript records the county’s portion of the program at $94,500 for the current year and a total program cost of roughly $121,000, leaving about $25,000–$30,000 picked up from other sources. Commissioners said those outside funds have included ARPA in previous years and program support tied to Taylor Grazing and other grants; the court noted general-fund contributions this year are very limited.

Kemper and commissioners discussed administrative constraints tied to APHIS oversight — including exclusive access to certain poisons and other control methods — and whether the county could hire its own trapper or enter a different funding/organizational model. Kemper said APHIS provides tools and authorities the county contractor would not automatically have (for example, poison authorizations and some aerial control access), and he warned that moving the program entirely in-house would require resolving those regulatory and credential issues.

Commissioners raised options the court has considered, including pursuing a local predator-control district (a statutory taxing district) that had been proposed in the past but was limited by state law changes. The court also discussed whether memoranda of understanding or interagency agreements could bridge the gap between county staff and federal authorities so the county could provide more services directly without losing access to APHIS resources.

Court members and the contractor agreed to continue the conversation and to explore funding options before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. No formal county action or vote on changing the program structure occurred during the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners said they value the contractor’s work and will look for options that preserve the service while addressing county budget constraints; the county will continue to seek outside funding and to discuss possible structural changes with APHIS and partner agencies.","An APHIS predator-control contractor updated Harney County Court on recent wolf and bear activity, beaver relocations and growing concerns about program funding and administrative overhead tied to the federal contract.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Harney County Court actions, June 18, 2025

County, Symmetry Care negotiate short-term extension as state CFAA language fuels liability concerns

Harney County long-term recovery group racing to spend $100,000 flood relief grant

Predator-control contractor reports wolves, bears and funding shortfall in Harney County