[{"_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",6551475,"mediaKeyId","5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce","parentId",5334884,"title","Klamath County commissioners begin talks on budget shortfall; consider furloughs, workforce reductions and department meetings","audioSeconds",1654,"startMs",2823000,"endMs",4477000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce&start=2823&end=4477","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce/thumbnail_2823000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551475/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-County-commissioners-begin-talks-on-budget-shortfall-consider-furloughs-workforce-reductions-and-department-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551475-3d6e70fb0c6d6a5d27a9d863118280bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1777248209&Signature=GPz0u9DkKIAGSRtiQgwkHveRmPuc5zEqWwEjwTbQgguuTrO1YGV0OWCZr3X0cVoyS6uGaZBwgXl9bgWqlLHdVs0CLr4t~MpokVtV2TqVGVn4EDt32katIc~y-KIzzgbFHUiS7A-pwJ1-LlyD6xqa3Czaj87CZdB6hIPISXp4q9BoZPKdsVBRo8zVPZ5Z60PFny1QUeB4Pr6-VJKJMO2Lp3mmij0NBQeRzhjN2YY24YK18pgL8rUlgTT64X2hWVnY8ZO~-ojg2JeDIusWIpHTmZcTPmoNgk6grsBFNDc-t12o1RlBaPwwXZDczhkdXExyBcWQSizDRlDi~7ICJQ6Mrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Klamath County","date","2025-07-08T23:31:05.503Z","article","Klamath County commissioners spent a significant portion of their July 8 meeting discussing the county's budget shortfall and potential ways to balance the general fund.

Commissioners and staff said the county faces a general fund deficit of about $1.5 million for the current year, which could translate to a $2.0–$2.3 million shortfall the next year if no changes are made. Staff provided model estimates for several options: a 10% workforce reduction (measured as a percentage of gross payroll) could save roughly $4.4 million annually; a 20% reduction about $8.8 million; and a 25% reduction about $11 million. The county also modeled the savings from not filling currently budgeted vacancies (roughly $2.8 million) and the effect of switching some operations to a four-day workweek, which staff estimated could save roughly $350,000 in the general fund (furlough and reduced-hour estimates excluded sheriff, juvenile detention and road crews from the calculation).

Commissioners expressed differing views. One commissioner said they would not support mandatory furloughs because of the hardship on employees and preferred voluntary options such as unpaid leave or reduced hours. Another commissioner said workforce reductions may be necessary to preserve long-term fiscal stability and urged parity across departments for any requirements. Several commissioners emphasized that cuts to community corrections funding from the state, if unchanged, will have immediate impacts on public safety operations and could force decisions on jail operations and staffing.

The board directed staff to gather additional information and said it will hold discussions with department heads. Commissioners asked finance and HR to solicit ideas from department managers and scheduled a follow-up to meet with the sheriff's office and community corrections leadership to clarify immediate impacts. The board also asked staff to prepare options that consider labor agreements and potential voluntary measures before any mandatory furlough or layoff decisions.

The discussion closed with a plan to continue detailed budget work and a scheduled sit-down with public-safety leadership as the next high-priority step.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7-08-2025 BOCC Admin Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a general fund deficit and options including voluntary unpaid time, shorter workweeks, targeted workforce reductions, and meetings with public-safety leadership to address effects from cuts to community corrections funding.","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},6551479,"Klamath County requires triennial audit of economic development partner 'Casita', agrees to cover audit costs",1849,667000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce&start=667&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6551479/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-County-requires-triennial-audit-of-economic-development-partner-Casita-agrees-to-cover-audit-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551479-ce7eb20c6666fbd1c088b30ec1f66bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1777248209&Signature=Gnhv0TuRWzrKRRJMaPsIUObXJgzGYAHaTZyogvOqRhq2w8P38~f9M3mhK3yGaqkE21MJ4nlFKb5uLBaZmIMxROAeV0AXViaXCsI5Rec1UPuLZwaFiRFf-ZAdCmbOzBkHxfTewGY7HY7OP2OYOdsgDbiOjmGvCZT4h632sDwwBAbwPyWxZ5Q-DwjMbK96kMDgoYQIFK-7cnd-2jpmfoBBJyGzEItVh8h10Nmf71WGTb7-GL-EpvPb09bZI1zZY-vMEG1v9q4jZdeX95GWej~5vJusgmiaoQZUN8Zy0wE9ECFH62qIHk4TbZyhG4RVy7CiPAd9oLRvgh7L1gxA7uy2-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After an extended discussion about transparency, audit scope and non-disclosure agreements, the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on July 8 voted to require the county's economic development partner, identified in the meeting as \"Casita,\" to submit to a full financial audit no later than 180 days after the close of fiscal year 2026 (FY26). The board also voted that Klamath County will pay for the audit and reimburse any reasonable staff costs associated with the audit.

Commissioners debated what type of review or audit would meet the county's needs. Participants discussed financial-statement audits, reviews and single-audit requirements tied to federal funding. County officials and the organization's representatives raised concerns about the lack of a clear scope in the contract, potential findings that often accompany audits, the burden on a small staff, and possible conflicts with nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) Casita has with private partners.

During the discussion, a commissioner noted the county has provided “nearly $5,000,000” to the organization over several years using a mixture of general funds, tourism dollars, ARPA grants and economic development funds; a representative for the organization described the entity as a small staff of three with volunteers and emphasized some funding and activities are private. Auditors and finance staff advised the board on differences among compilations, reviews and full audits; one auditor said comparable local-government audits can cost in the mid-single‑thousand-dollar range, while a full audit or an audit after a long interval can be more expensive.

Commissioners directed staff to draft contract language requiring the audit, to seek input from county auditors about how an audit would handle NDAs, and to work toward parity in audit requirements across similar county contracts such as Discover Klamath. The board’s motion requiring a full audit within 180 days after the close of FY26 passed, and a separate motion that Klamath County pay for reasonable staff costs associated with the audit also passed. Both motions were recorded as passing by voice vote at the meeting.

The record shows the board discussed using an initial financial review or compilation as a preliminary step, and asked the county’s auditors and outside firms to advise on the appropriate scope and any implications for confidential business information. The board also discussed seeking consistent audit requirements across similar contracts going forward.","Following extended debate, the Klamath County Board of Commissioners voted to require its economic development partner, referred to in the meeting as \"Casita,\" to submit to a full financial audit no later than 180 days after the close of fiscal year 2026 and agreed the county will pay for the audit and reimburse related staff costs.",{"_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},6551485,"Klamath County adopts three JDS policies on vehicle use, progress notes and professional boundaries",450,141000,591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce&start=141&end=591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce/thumbnail_141000.jpg","/articles/6551485/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-County-adopts-three-JDS-policies-on-vehicle-use-progress-notes-and-professional-boundaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551485-f6234dd29dd8b035f26213215333765c/orig.mp4?Expires=1777248209&Signature=S5ar3yXp3crseQN9inD90Cp09e7VGl9iEeihrYQWcI5hYrAy~SdU53mJxViIV81RS-UQKyRcc5tOuHv5JA7jTRotMfJS1CgA~FDZ9qx7escW3pLxh4Sgg~xcnKEmS8OsB1m9S6TITDRk-Lj62-x9Ar5hzePbTNl15LjXQzozOjO0YYWKRasJopPkqKMSU~Vm8qBsoFbFod8ke10StHqurFsjUFg90KZDn4VYD9zWgDInTCiT4AUzUmarttBb18d0Gs2Ua4I~qXxue7c~kXHol8ytPcKha35dU3jJ4DCymra3qO0cSmKBQ9dzKGtMgr-~wGtnCp6eWDOUJsLf3fxt9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Klamath County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved three policies presented by Heidi, director of the county's Developmental Disability Services (JDS) department: a policy on use of personal vehicles for official business, a progress note submission policy and an appropriate and professional boundaries policy.

Heidi told the board the vehicle policy responds to ongoing fleet issues. The policy formalizes a temporary solution that lets staff check out county vehicles from the county road shop and establishes an alternative mileage reimbursement of up to 30 miles per day for employees who use personal vehicles. The policy includes a required mileage form and an entry workflow so finance can capture weekly mileage claims.

The board also adopted a written progress-note submission policy, which director Heidi said replaces a long-standing verbal practice. Under the policy, service coordinators will have the week of service to complete and sign billable progress notes; the policy is intended to support monthly billing and to give managers a way to track billable activity against budget targets. Heidi said the JDS department does not take money from the county general fund and relies on billable services for its budget.

The third policy, on appropriate and professional boundaries, reiterates standards the department already uses and tightens them into written policy for staff who work with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The policy addresses dual relationships, romantic relationships with individuals the department supports, conflicts of interest when authorizing Medicaid services, and requires new employees to sign the policy and participate in annual retraining and at least one boundaries training per year.

Each policy was moved, seconded and adopted by a unanimous vote of the commissioners. Board members praised the director for putting the policies in writing and noted the policies will help both staff and the people the department serves. Several commissioners asked about implementation details; Heidi said forms, a Smartsheet feed to finance for mileage claims and annual training are already planned.

Implementation notes provided at the meeting say staff will sign the boundaries policy at hire and annually thereafter, progress notes may be submitted on a weekly basis to support monthly billing, and mileage claims will be tracked on a weekly form for finance to enter.","The board approved three personnel and operational policies for the county's Developmental Disability Services (JDS) department covering personal vehicle use, progress note submission and professional boundaries for staff who work with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.",{"_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},6551489,"Klamath County reappoints law library adviser; signs support letter for Klamath Drainage District",105,31000,136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce&start=31&end=136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5334884-6e6b3e3a20593b27b3373f0b7f1c7bce/thumbnail_31000.jpg","/articles/6551489/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-County-reappoints-law-library-adviser-signs-support-letter-for-Klamath-Drainage-District","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551489-88f8dbbb64f6eb3eca60b1a742e54c97/orig.mp4?Expires=1777248209&Signature=U4nYQqmpalmiB6tDTyJAJeZDI2Cq9HBf76eMAhxKLzDJLLjit5rlsVwn~Z3suijVuu-Slval~N7McxTBzDd9V2FB24zv-4HwpUbDQU-07xbrCfrKgmBThuD1ZtAwEcBOv~G8GnU2WhpVeD-4nJkdaZvUpyIkwFoF9DIiqECQGTbISZxCCi8sNKRKB69QXa0A~icyqS~QRPLr3j9WCm9ZYhJ5WD6Tyf2a5u7IuAYjkeontFsHyh9gHVX~nYkcnf7jJhJYv11uO1sID17txAm6F2bgXsxofRkjS9kPJpKjYEEFbOP1leoEKjP98MOBZvBFdEhWIRvgjDXvlXbIhbbpyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Klamath County Board of Commissioners reappointed Drew Hartnett to the county's law library advisory committee and voted to sign a letter supporting the Klamath Drainage District modernization project during its July 8 administrative meeting.

Drew Hartnett told the board he appreciated the library's work and said he would be happy to continue serving. The board moved to reappoint him and the motion passed with all commissioners voting in favor.

Separately, the board considered a draft support letter for the Klamath Drainage District's modernization project that had been circulated to commissioners by email. A motion to sign the letter carried unanimously.

Both actions were taken during the meeting's administrative session and were presented as routine business. No additional conditions or funding commitments were included in the motions.

Votes at a glance
- Reappointment of Drew Hartnett to the law library advisory committee — Motion passed; vote recorded as unanimous.
- Letter of support for the Klamath Drainage District modernization project — Motion passed; vote recorded as unanimous.","At its July 8 administrative meeting the Klamath County Board of Commissioners reappointed Drew Hartnett to the law library advisory committee and unanimously approved a letter of support for the Klamath Drainage District modernization project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Klamath County commissioners begin talks on budget shortfall; consider furloughs, workforce reductions and department meetings

Klamath County requires triennial audit of economic development partner 'Casita', agrees to cover audit costs

Klamath County adopts three JDS policies on vehicle use, progress notes and professional boundaries

Klamath County reappoints law library adviser; signs support letter for Klamath Drainage District