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Harney County accepts $3 million IGA from Oregon Judicial Department for courthouse/jail project
Summary
The county court approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Judicial Department to transfer $3 million for courthouse-related court services and to support court facilities in the new jail project. County staff will provide quarterly reports and coordinate permitted uses with OJD.
Harney County Court voted Oct. 15 to approve an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Oregon Judicial Department that will transfer $3,000,000 to the county for courthouse- and court-related improvements tied to the county's jail construction and annex upgrades.
The funds—authorized in prior legislative sessions—are designated for court-related spaces and services in connection with the county's jail project: attorney-client rooms, interview rooms, a remote appearance room and other court access features in the proposed facility.
County staff said the IGA includes standard reporting requirements and conditions on authorized uses; the agreement must also be reconciled with the county's design‑build contract so that the contractor and county properly identify billable items that fall under the OJD-funded scope. "As that evolves and we identify the elements within that plan that can be billed against these funds, then we will send to OJD," a county official said. The county is drafting a project fund and expects to establish an accounting fund prior to receiving the money.
The court discussed timing and paperwork formatting; staff said they expect to finalize signature pages and create a dedicated project fund within weeks. County legal counsel reviewed the agreement and raised no legal objections, county officials said.
A motion to approve the IGA passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Court members said approving the IGA will streamline access to funds once construction begins and reduce the need for repeated draw requests.
The court directed staff to coordinate with the treasurer to create a project fund and to share quarterly reporting responsibilities with the prime contractor once construction scopes are finalized.
Votes at a glance: IGA with Oregon Judicial Department (contract number as recorded at meeting) — approved by court voice vote; quarterly reporting and plan approvals required by OJD.
