[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,75,86],{"_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",6454802,"mediaKeyId","5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b","parentId",5858814,"title","Klamath County approves $315,000 economic development agreement after debate over transparency at Casita-linked group","audioSeconds",541,"startMs",520000,"endMs",1061000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b&start=520&end=1061","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b/thumbnail_520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454802/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-County-approves-315000-economic-development-agreement-after-debate-over-transparency-at-Casita-linked-group","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454802-00e834e6f9e4609bf9b7e890073bab3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775327296&Signature=NZmRSOS8B4G8bHg5IuR6CF3Fmd16MetnxNL4nUN~-mAj55sZRx9DqVGxJEhvyU7wY5SY-JhpRUnaOltVPWLBkqZoB452wvGN3JtETMQgeOUreIvxRHE78E0dkeYgeIvI~u-Czk51xOqQkyP3NEGDMZWgcnGVCpqE0BzpJ0fgygw5a2jUZmKUM6iTz1SZJJinXOHu4hh7F26~qZCdL1T6C46ZmxZc2I4FdYBwljBpdqi19dEuU65t2cTuAbdk4GdJvRB6Z7LnQaux~JEHVKDGz1rcWfUX7~2wq2DMzP1UQEJCdQ2iGNVpZXsuvWThAwTeTR38k4OnvqGSMlQ3WaxhwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Klamath County","date","2025-09-26T22:38:49Z","article","Klamath County commissioners voted to approve a multi-year contract worth $315,000 with the county's chosen economic development provider and a separate $15,000 agreement with Klamath IDEA after an extended discussion about transparency in organizations that have received public funds.

The Board of County Commissioners approved the agreement with the Klamath County Economic Development Association, an initial contract described in the record as lasting four years, nine months and eligible for two additional two-year renewals. Chair, Klamath County Board of Commissioners, moved to approve the contract; the motion passed with recorded \"aye\" votes and no recorded dissents. The board separately approved a $15,000 contract with Klamath IDEA to support entrepreneurial-focused economic development work; that motion also passed by voice vote.

Commissioner Smith, identified in the meeting record only by surname, said she supports economic development overall but said she could not back the contract without greater transparency about how earlier public funds were spent. Smith said an entity she called Casita received roughly $749,000 in public loan funds that were combined with private investment for a Klamath Revitalization Fund project and that she still had not received clear accounting for how those funds were used or who benefited.

\"When taxpayer dollars are involved, the public has a right to know how they're being used, and it's not negotiable,\" Commissioner Smith told the board. She said Casita resisted including an independent audit provision in earlier contract discussions and had proposed nondisclosure agreements to allow board members to review records.

A second commissioner (identified only by role in the record) disagreed with Smith's characterization, saying they had worked with the organization for nearly a decade and that board liaisons were kept informed of major projects, including the Klamath Revitalization Fund.

The record shows the board accepted the proposal from the county economic development association on June 3, 2025. The fiscal impact recorded at the meeting for the approved contract is $315,000 from the county's economic development fund for fiscal year 2025-26. The $15,000 agreement with Klamath IDEA was authorized from the economic development fund for the same fiscal year.

The meeting transcript does not record a change to contract language requiring independent audits as part of the motion. Commissioners who spoke in favor cited the need for continued economic development support; commissioners expressing reservations emphasized auditing and conflict-of-interest protections when public funds are blended with private investment.

No representative of Casita or the Klamath County Economic Development Association spoke during the public debate recorded in the transcript.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by voice; the Chair and the commissioners present signaled \"aye\" for both motions and the motions passed.

The contracts will proceed to signature as authorized by the board; the record does not include subsequent implementation details, timelines, or deliverables beyond the contract term and fiscal impact noted at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9-30-2025 BOCC Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Klamath County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a $315,000 contract with the county's economic development association and a separate $15,000 agreement with Klamath IDEA despite objections from Commissioner Smith about transparency and past public funding connected to an organization she identified as Casita.","taxTitle","Klamath County, Oregon","taxId",52087,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454791,"Klamath Falls resident tells commissioners Social Security denials, disability risks contributed to homelessness",0,58000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b&start=58&end=58","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6454791/Klamath-County/Oregon/Klamath-Falls-resident-tells-commissioners-Social-Security-denials-disability-risks-contributed-to-homelessness","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454791-ee1ba3099e7c424302e0b06e1e08fc1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775327296&Signature=LUHVZ-zGxjzxE4j8TeqEnUy8xlew~aJ3iz0TY8EQL6H-lI5L1iv2qDn8wZfg-SFI7oihRN3vC3-ypqyJug6LxDHM6ZZcMyK3Hmd6bYNE1~FTBSAaSFG-IYEhzq0QYl2TAIWs8tm~J2ACzky4fUOcTixEpXRtx1170tOf5YFVCumyhZ65A3YqCPq2BQYhxg9f6ghonH7CvyOaSwm114phS-FZP6~ffW10~FqrG1npcRov9QFDbih4b-NGUv0veH5bUA9XoURNCLkFhQe20VU0ZHayU7IcRseR0RIkp5qsmJX5K15PtZWgt23R5yh4oskDLfIQrui-keIxvZiat6Xavg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wren Shockey, a Klamath Falls resident, addressed the Klamath County Board of Commissioners during the public-comment period and described difficulties securing disability benefits and the consequences for housing and daily life.

Shockey said they moved to Klamath Falls at 17 and later developed chronic pain from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects connective tissue and mobility. Shockey said they applied for Social Security in September 2022 and recently received a third denial.

\"A judge said you're too young, you don't deserve to get $550 a month. It's pretty devastating,\" Shockey said. They described volunteering at a church soup kitchen when able and said that volunteering was cited against them in the disability review.

Shockey said they believed the Social Security Administration's substantial gainful activity standard allows work up to about 20 hours a week without disqualifying disability benefits when earnings are insufficient to support independent living. They said the denial and resulting financial limits leave them unlikely to own a home, unable to access parental Social Security benefits in the future, subject to asset limits and possibly dependent on Section 8 housing.

\"It's pretty rough,\" Shockey said. \"There 'are plenty of people who fall through the cracks. And when you look at the amount of people that are homeless in Klamath Falls, a lot of those people can't work. A lot of those people got screwed over by SSA in the exact same way.\"

Shockey's remarks were given during the public-comment period and did not prompt formal action by the board in the recorded meeting. The transcript records no substantive response by commissioners to the remarks beyond brief procedural thanks following public comment.","Wren Shockey, a longtime Klamath Falls resident, told the Board of County Commissioners that repeated Social Security denials and a diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have left them in chronic pain, unable to work consistently and facing housing insecurity.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454796,"Votes at a glance: Klamath County approves budget changes, fee update, appointments and public-health grant amendments",773,463000,1236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b&start=463&end=1236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5858814-731531c00f84498edb3c098ed352c22b/thumbnail_463000.jpg","/articles/6454796/Klamath-County/Oregon/Votes-at-a-glance-Klamath-County-approves-budget-changes-fee-update-appointments-and-public-health-grant-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454796-0cfe393f546790988a057708421152a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775327296&Signature=cV5WKiT-hs2DH5l~zP0LJFbg5OyFPvUPS5ctf1eImIVrYFTcSs6wkjzW40weY3JNnVtM4QjTJQHEGfKbg2mZhozADSqmlFd19jnmFJMHIYDFb29D18QWR2Vl0vuWUlJ9E7UL15-paoeXHGm-UiN7fsNugZf1inkrMTTlO65clfYflcpwpKEFgLLHLKZu4mKofRZdxlKf5j9VMBUl28VDWuo5bAREf-E3M6cToluh9bCMsErxtvU0TCjVbQ4smhof14TCiMP8d4awtFk2HyqBqYTMaKOUzrOlU1Or4m~WoqBtF0B6A2fTMKGWIG765AcewrwfE082wp1MVGjksej~vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Klamath County commissioners approved a package of routine fiscal, contract and personnel actions at their meeting.

Key votes included a supplemental budget resolution moving opioid settlement funds into juvenile capital projects, a septic-permit surcharge increase passed in response to a state Department of Environmental Quality fee change, extensions to professional service contracts, appointments to the county ambulance advisory committee, and two amendments to intergovernmental agreements with the Oregon Health Authority for public-health services.

The motions recorded at the meeting and their outcomes are listed below.

- Supplemental budget resolution (Item 7.1): The board approved a supplemental budget resolution affecting the general fund, general fund reserve and juvenile capital projects fund. The resolution budgets a $620,472.14 increase in revenue and expenditure tied to opioid settlement funds being transferred to the juvenile capital project reserve. Motion carried by voice vote; Chair and commissioners present signaled \"aye.\"

- On-site septic permit surcharge (Item 8.1): The county adopted a pass-through surcharge increase proposed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. The surcharge on septic permits increases from $117 to $120 effective Nov. 1, 2025. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Government Portfolio Advisors contract addendum (Item 10.6): The board approved addendum number 1 to the professional services contract with Government Portfolio Advisors, providing a two-year extension through Oct. 31, 2027, as recorded in the meeting. Fiscal impact recorded as $49,000 annual expenditure to the treasurer department. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Umqua Bank / Columbia Bank treasury management extension (Item 10.7): The board approved a two-year renewal of the county's treasury management services agreement with Umqua Bank, doing business as Columbia Bank. The new contract expiration recorded as Sept. 1, 2027; estimated fiscal impact $250 to the treasurer department. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Appointments to Klamath County Ambulance Advisory Committee (Item 9.1): The board appointed Casey Lanning and David Carpenter to fill vacancies on the Ambulance Advisory Committee. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Memorandum of agreement with the Klamath Tribes (Item 10.1): The county's Community Development Department will serve as a third-party inspector for a prefabricated office project for the Klamath Tribes. The agreement is described in the record as expiring June 30, 2026, with estimated revenue to the county of $774. Motion carried by voice vote.

- OHA / Public Health intergovernmental agreement amendment for reproductive health services (Item 10.2): The board approved Amendment 1 to IGA 184233 to continue reproductive-health services in the county jail, including contraceptive services, pregnancy testing and STI screening and treatment. Fiscal impact recorded as $18,807.31 in revenue to clinical nursing (sub-department 4044). Motion carried by voice vote.

- OHA / Public Health IGA amendment for public-health services (Item 10.3): The board approved Amendment 2 to IGA 185817, which adds a tuberculosis program element and, in the recorded motion, reduces funds for an emergency-preparedness element by $17,351.01 for fiscal year 2025-26. The director noted the state subsequently received a notice of award and that funding will be added back in a later amendment. Motion carried by voice vote.

All motions recorded in the transcript passed by voice vote; the Chair and commissioners present signaled \"aye.\" The transcript does not include a roll-call tally by commissioner name for each motion.","At the meeting the Board of County Commissioners approved a supplemental budget resolution, multiple contract extensions and appointments, a septic-permit surcharge increase, and two public-health intergovernmental agreement amendments affecting jail reproductive-health services and tuberculosis funding.","actionData","errors"]

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Klamath County approves $315,000 economic development agreement after debate over transparency at Casita-linked group

Klamath Falls resident tells commissioners Social Security denials, disability risks contributed to homelessness

Votes at a glance: Klamath County approves budget changes, fee update, appointments and public-health grant amendments