[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6458836,"mediaKeyId","5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e","parentId",5808851,"title","Votes at a glance: Harney County Court meeting Sept. 19, 2025","audioSeconds",149,"startMs",4806000,"endMs",4955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e&start=4806&end=4955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e/thumbnail_4806000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458836/Harney-County/Oregon/Votes-at-a-glance-Harney-County-Court-meeting-Sept-19-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458836-119ba350887e4428ab85cca544c0e6fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1773663295&Signature=BZWLgOMFiJBpr74jpkurDg~zrI6uyEFDJ4D~bRPkeRh3oJHPm~p6DnFd1PtZ21Dc6~WvPLCgl90ktfe0D5HmRFf7hRDWyQnFz2pjHPaIXfedmv8Dd5WyN5ECTC7qfkXcou9VWCxb81Z4Nu-ORdhs1GfxzWazo8X4BlXuWIT9~q1VGD4JEfLlHLMgsSGD9k~CyQshdCR3SB6myx4shepgg2duNjeGCCHpO1ZMM~z-6hxe2HNG9Fvh9tzJ2UQROcFOWVqPtQmR9qyzkMikbamIVFS6Zzh9s89rNlbP6D490tjNm12fq2LccMOcQaSTT4ZoXa3EDSVOQsSn2tzcedJesQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Harney County","date","2025-09-22T18:52:38.597Z","article","Harney County Court on Sept. 19 took several routine votes and approved one formal resolution.

Votes recorded at the session included:

1) Agenda approval: The court moved and seconded to approve the Sept. 19 meeting agenda. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

2) Minutes approval: The court moved and seconded to approve the Sept. 3, 2025 regular session minutes. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote after brief discussion.

3) Resolution 2025-20 (donation to Harney County Long Term Recovery Group): The court considered a resolution memorializing a previously approved $10,000 county contribution to the Harney County Long Term Recovery Group. A motion to approve Resolution 2025-20 was made and seconded; the court voted by voice and the motion carried. Commissioners stated the donation will be funded from the county's economic development lottery funds rather than contingency.

Other actions discussed but not approved: commissioners considered authorizing up to $100,000 to reengage Kleinschmidt for updated flood modeling and public scoping. That authorization was discussed but no appropriation or contract was approved on Sept. 19; staff were directed to report back with funding-pathway options.

Why it matters: The $10,000 donation formalizes county support for long-term recovery and resilience work following recent emergencies. The flood-mitigation consultant scope remains under consideration and could trigger future appropriations.

Ending: The court adjourned after concluding routine business and directing follow-up on flood planning and other standing items.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County Court Regular Session 09/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The county court approved routine agenda and minutes and adopted Resolution 2025-20 approving a $10,000 donation to the Harney County Long Term Recovery Group; motions for other items were discussed but no additional appropriations were approved.","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},6458841,"Harney County court discusses possible administrator role and form-of-government questions; no change ordered",648,7512000,8160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e&start=7512&end=8160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e/thumbnail_7512000.jpg","/articles/6458841/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-court-discusses-possible-administrator-role-and-form-of-government-questions-no-change-ordered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458841-f206c1540fa08d9080c00c463deb3960/orig.mp4?Expires=1773663295&Signature=RriyoPw-5mk2d8ZmLKlD7jW38PRMJRP7jFDmjgWb7FKUgBiVBnQayqETs5kJz4Lfrgp1LM1SvoM5HPWHqNKW45ZlICIR4Jl3NUZ29PO0r3hNk5veGhwBrl8GokMgULnGXtxpBTXyiJrmVyvQU5yPm9AcPFB8oimwdvPTi00B0-ymQRJ70mO8s0lA2Q64If6dr324N58696JxPVXqH837F~BUBU50buUbhCep~wayVn8ATiBO9SSbPK3yNhn4mrbV3Q2JRugp-K~ItwiPLOev4o3EkEDpoOZqDkoWI4kPy-05GEtunKuKCRWOvjvXt5xeMZACBbrY3TfQ04UaFVWz2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harney County Court on Sept. 19 engaged in an extended discussion about county governance and whether to add an administrative position or alter the judge's administrative duties to create greater continuity and grant capacity.

Judge Hart and commissioners reviewed previous work sessions and legal limits on changing the county's form of government. Commissioners agreed any substantive change in form (from county court to a board of commissioners or to a different structure) would require public processes and possibly legislative changes.

Several commissioners suggested an administrative position could be structured so that the new hire would aggressively pursue grant funding and help cover administrative tasks, possibly paying for part of its own compensation through awarded grants. \"If we were to promote someone to have more administrative duties and grant facilitation...we need backup for payroll and accounts payable,\" one commissioner said. Commissioners discussed alternatives: (a) create a formal county administrator; (b) broaden the existing executive-assistant job description and add a deputy administrative support position; or (c) plan a public process to change the form of government if the county chooses.

No action was taken on Sept. 19. Commissioners asked staff to assemble prior material (past work-session recordings and documents), to draft possible job descriptions and to schedule a dedicated work session so the court and the public can review options.

Why it matters: Commissioners said improved administrative continuity, grant capacity and clearer division of duties could help the county pursue economic-development projects, manage large capital grants and provide more stable institutional knowledge across elected terms.

Ending: The court agreed to place the matter on a future work-session agenda, to circulate relevant past materials and to invite public input. No change to the judge's statutory duties or to county form of government occurred at the meeting.","Commissioners debated whether to create an administrative position or otherwise change county governance duties to improve continuity, grant-writing capacity and budget management; they agreed to schedule follow-up work-session discussion.",{"_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},6458846,"Residents tell court Harney County lacks dentists who accept Medicaid; county will ask partners for follow-up",415,305000,720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e&start=305&end=720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e/thumbnail_305000.jpg","/articles/6458846/Harney-County/Oregon/Residents-tell-court-Harney-County-lacks-dentists-who-accept-Medicaid-county-will-ask-partners-for-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458846-98215b103020fc55716775bb7763f591/orig.mp4?Expires=1773663295&Signature=a4r8QrQM58~l8SbnCh2ayZvadu6PC-WD~WYgQQu5LAm7ngfdVS1Sw41LF3aduTN3il6v0Cxak5KAHh29Y3FJ67~wjZVAZPpM1mrDJkQ6Gev2SDwRsDuZxPmnCW9GTatnv917xLnOEpDDPMT~U3oNNbSD1yQK6lZqdTklDbV52VUmVfy3RebJWOgDZPkSD96LjuoRGrufmoNVZQuUZX~zdsEAMofvfhTJwx9U400POEPtJVjolNMKQyY8E~VoR4eBjsKPUiKiLPViC5HTS5RNeOedgYuWEVVXR-mvllXRIBM6yCswA5uDMIu-kuvsuv3JcDuc9Kk77jMNbQmpEBOeMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Harney County resident told the county court on Sept. 19 that Parnosa Village and other local areas have lost dental providers who treat Medicaid patients, leaving low-income residents with longer travel for dental care.

Barbara Kennedy (public commenter) said the remaining dentist who had taken Medicaid patients was leaving and that a program once offering student-loan repayment for providers in rural areas may no longer be available. \"We no longer have a dentist there. And... we don't have a dentist that services Medicaid patients,\" Kennedy said. She asked the court whether county economic-development or community-health partners could support incentives to attract dentists.

Commissioners and staff said the issue is being discussed in the county\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000community health partnership and with Greater Oregon Behavioral Health and that they would raise the matter with the Association of Oregon Counties. \"That is a big problem because now those patients have to travel farther,\" an identified county participant said. Officials also discussed transportation support available under the Oregon Health Plan but said transportation to distant clinics is complicated and not a long-term solution.

Why it matters: Loss of local dentists who accept Medicaid affects access to preventive and urgent dental care for low-income residents and can increase travel burdens and overall health inequities. Officials said they would follow up with regional partners and with the local community-health group, and that one dentist expected to report on recruitment efforts in the coming weeks.

Ending: County staff and the commissioner said they would raise the topic at the next community-health partnership meeting and ask the Association of Oregon Counties and regional partners about incentives or programs that could help recruit or retain Medicaid-serving dentists.","A public commenter told Harney County Court the county has lost dentists who serve Medicaid patients and urged the county to explore incentives and state programs to attract providers; officials said they will raise the issue with regional health partners and the Association of Oregon Counties.",{"_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},6458849,"Harney County court weighs reengaging Klein Schmitt for updated flood-mitigation modeling and near-term fixes",673,3167000,3840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e&start=3167&end=3840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e/thumbnail_3167000.jpg","/articles/6458849/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-court-weighs-reengaging-Klein-Schmitt-for-updated-flood-mitigation-modeling-and-near-term-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458849-8da9193ecc1005753e34c9cdf4175329/orig.mp4?Expires=1773663296&Signature=JbqJskpZEDZicJIFxwNB2QRXJsTtrDyrpIFp5qIYxsKgg2~A2Tza-Jx3sv6hVCvNhJvQJHUvAuSWRuRE1IocNGSIicVY-G6Z3R0oSB4EiOAtrcKR0j7sTE835xHK9Ci024Rm8T8mchgG3wiNW~kDDV-ywOln8KkSfHLSvBcdTlSkPhoH~rLyPdw8y1avSr-CuzDCQYRk2cBYw4FpzdGMlTThQwXkpn7TkCHMe385HTYaSYv9E0~NQl-5~wTC1BYKFzLSl1bLuqirWNkziXI-cuh1qAf1VR-I7uG-rtpHsIMOSKwy5PkHMPgE3gCHOh5DCrKL1kKZ~hM9mW5Oo0c6xw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harney County Court on Sept. 19 discussed next steps for flood-mitigation planning after this spring's floods and considered reengaging the consultant Klein Schmid (Kleinschmidt) to update prior analyses with recent flood information.

Brandon (county staff) summarized a brief scoping letter from Kleinschmidt proposing three tasks: (1) update the prior alternatives analysis with the latest flood information, (2) revise and broaden the list of potential alternatives, and (3) lead public scoping and stakeholder coordination. \"It would be maybe a little shortsighted if we didn't incorporate the latest flood information into that analysis,\" he said.

Kleinschmidt provided a budget range for the work; commissioners discussed limiting an initial authorization to $100,000 to complete the three tasks and produce an updated scope for review. No county appropriation was approved on Sept. 19; commissioners described two parallel tracks: start limited, targeted in-house repairs that appear feasible now (for example, installing a box culvert at a constrained channel near Foley Drive) while commissioning the updated modeling so larger investments remain data-driven.

County staff said one near-term option (a modified version of alternative 8 in the 2022 report) might be completed by county crews at relatively low cost if confirmed by ground-level checks with landowners and the county road department. \"For example, they talked about widening the bridge at Foley Slough to twice its width. We just put that bridge in '21,\" Brandon said. \"That's not very financially responsible to go in and tear that bridge out, but we could widen the channel to the capacity of the existing bridge.\"

Funding and timing: commissioners discussed using a 2027 state grant award and the possibility of accessing those funds earlier through a low- or no-interest loan from Business Oregon. The court has approximately $63,000 in contingency and a projected $250,000 transfer to operating reserves but did not approve using those funds for the Kleinschmidt update on Sept. 19. Judge Hart said he would pursue conversations with Business Oregon and Regional Solutions and expected follow-up by the next meeting.

Stakeholder coordination: Commissioners emphasized the need for early stakeholder outreach and for assessing downstream impacts from any conveyance changes. Brandon noted that moving water from one place to another can shift flood risk. Commissioners also discussed coordination with the Burns city government, the tribal reservation's potential levee project, ODOT (Highway 20 culverts) and federal agencies.

Why it matters: Officials said updated modeling that incorporates this spring's flood data is needed to prioritize cost-effective, implementable alternatives and to marshal state and federal partners for construction. At the same time, some near-term, lower-cost fixes could be advanced as gestures of immediate mitigation while larger planning continues.

Ending: The court directed staff to continue discussions with Kleinschmidt and Business Oregon, to obtain cost estimates for a possible in-house box culvert project, and to report back at the next session. No appropriation or contract was approved on Sept. 19.

","Officials discussed reengaging consultant Kleinschmidt to update a 2022 alternatives analysis with new flood data, prioritize feasible near-term fixes (including a proposed box culvert), and pursue funding pathways including a low-interest loan from Business Oregon.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6458854,"Harney County officials, watershed council and petitioners press state on Division 512 water rules",955,5045000,6000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e&start=5045&end=6000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5808851-3addaea1f6a5d833c7d15aec3034fa5e/thumbnail_5045000.jpg","/articles/6458854/Harney-County/Oregon/Harney-County-officials-watershed-council-and-petitioners-press-state-on-Division-512-water-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458854-2887894de891e33035573d9d24af4f8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773663296&Signature=ZGAc9I7TNq6weIraKI5o4ximrm3lfxdrZCrgiRC-I3srCv1zWblKJwqQgUitTFWrnvoKAAHS7~6i-iCgVsPZ617T4N6JEF2bhAtyFcjDuJjS8iYfRwOvq00c~57bRI9lGoXgUFeg-~1iJJw9LX-jkDY46Zq-TVo60uqAC6VNupHal6CB04Mva~Rvy58S5ky8Xn~LWdcqzNm9vE4aOlwelvxq6XpoILs0YPUjfbX0G-hAqcubkwoh8LOqW~2ag1Ahrrw-mzCifZiRD3oBC1tq9F8r9~O8YfRqo8LzVmXnGG6PXhg6g3JKgrWd~spocQTHquxAksIFIhxmqiaVlvxA-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Harney County Court on Sept. 19 heard an extended update from the Harney Basin Watershed Council and an explanation of a petition asking the Oregon Water Resources Department to amend its proposed Division 512 groundwater-management rule.

Karen Moon, coordinator for the Harney Basin Watershed Council, told the court the council\u0000has spent a decade on community-based water planning and that the council\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000was formally recognized by the state last week. \"We presented to the commission last week our final integrated plan,\" Moon said. The plan, she said, combines groundwater and surface-water work and summarizes strategies for implementation developed by local work groups over several years.

The court and multiple speakers then discussed a formal petition to amend the Division 512 proposed rulemaking (often referenced as \"5-12\" in local meetings). Commissioner Frank explained that the petition mirrors what participants called \"Scenario B\" from earlier technical modeling: it would localize reductions to subareas with documented deficits and, the petitioners say, would reach stable groundwater within 30 years while reducing immediate economic impacts compared with the draft rule proposed by OWRD. \"This amendment is more favorable than their proposed rules,\" Commissioner Frank said, adding that the petition attempts to reduce the economic effect on the county while still achieving stability.

Key elements described by petition supporters in the meeting included: (a) an immediate focus on reductions in the Weber Springs subarea; (b) treating certain subareas (Sylvies, Silver Creek and Lower Donnerblitzen) as separate reservoirs with separate management, and (c) voluntary agreements to achieve partial reductions in some subareas. Frank also said the petition removes municipalities from curtailment requirements.

Karen Moon emphasized that community-based water planning and the rulemaking are separate processes but related: \"Place-based planning is a completely separate process from the rules,\" she said, but acknowledged that the planning work contributed data and voluntary-agreement concepts that fed into rule proposals.

Speakers and several commissioners raised two recurring concerns: first, that OWRD\u0000did not sufficiently incorporate local plans and data into the rulemaking; and second, that some subareas identified in the draft rule may not be a single shared reservoir as the department proposes. Commissioner Frank said the petition attempts to split the basin into smaller reservoirs so future reconsideration would be possible on a reservoir-by-reservoir basis.

Public-comment and court discussion covered legal and procedural details: petition sign-up sheets, deadlines for public comment (the record was reopened and the public comment period was described as open until Oct. 7), and whether some subareas could be removed from a critical-groundwater-area designation only through litigation. Representative Owens (noted in the meeting as a contact on petition logistics) was identified as the person who could confirm petition signing locations and deadlines.

The court did not take formal action on the petition at the Sept. 19 session. Commissioners said they would continue outreach and gather information for the public, including preparing a summary of the petition to help residents evaluate it.

The discussion included references to specific local programs and studies produced during the community-based planning process, including a CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) proposal, a domestic-well survey funded by OWEB, hydrologic modeling of the Sylvies River reach and a NASA OpenET research partnership used to estimate evapotranspiration for irrigation planning. Moon said the CREP program was passed through the Oregon Legislature and federal approval steps and could help landowners with retiring water rights under certain conditions. \"We have a CREP program that could help people receive payments in order to retire their water rights for up to 20,000 acres,\" Moon said.

Why it matters: Commissioners and watershed leaders said the petition is intended to reduce potential immediate economic harms while moving the basin toward long-term groundwater stability, and to preserve options for future, targeted delisting or management changes at the subarea level. County officials said they plan to continue outreach and to help summarize the petition and comment steps for residents.

Ending: Court members asked watershed and county staff to make summary materials available and to track petition signing locations and deadlines. No vote or formal county position on the petition was taken during the session.

","Harney County Court heard a long update from the Harney Basin Watershed Council and extensive discussion of a petition to amend the Oregon Water Resources Department\u0000(OWRD) Division 512 proposed rule; commissioners said the petition aims to reduce economic impacts while reaching groundwater stability.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Harney County Court meeting Sept. 19, 2025

Harney County court discusses possible administrator role and form-of-government questions; no change ordered

Residents tell court Harney County lacks dentists who accept Medicaid; county will ask partners for follow-up

Harney County court weighs reengaging Klein Schmitt for updated flood-mitigation modeling and near-term fixes

Harney County officials, watershed council and petitioners press state on Division 512 water rules