Baker County approves multiple grants, road purchases and sole‑source designations; kiosks purchase deferred for more bids

Baker County commissioners approved a series of grant agreements, equipment purchases and vendor decisions at their meeting, and delayed a proposed purchase of three metal information kiosks until staff can supply firmer bids and city commitments.

Grants and ratifications - The board approved a 2025 Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) wolf-related grant agreement (listed in the meeting as ODA 4599GR) for $40,041.31; staff said the funds must be spent by Jan. 1, 2026, and the award will fund wolf-related prevention and depredation compensation activities. - The board approved a one-year trauma-informed response training grant (TIRT) for the district attorney’s office totaling $7,371.34 to train law enforcement, DA personnel, assault nurse examiners, dispatchers and advocates. Staff said there was no matching requirement and participants would attend sessions in Hood River and Pendleton. - Commissioners ratified the Oregon Department of Transportation public transportation agreement (ODOT Agreement No. 35664) to support county transportation services; the agreement and related planning funds were placed on the record and ratified by motion.

Road department purchases and sole-source items - Road department staff reported on competitive bids for spring and summer herbicides. After reviewing seven vendor responses (three local and four regional), staff recommended awarding to a new regional vendor, Orion, for multiple chemicals and to continue purchases from local firm Nutrien for certain items. The board authorized the road department to purchase herbicide from Orion with a budget not to exceed $80,000. - The board separately approved a purchase from Nutrien for herbicide in the amount of $31,399.38. - The board approved a sole-source order (Order No. 2025-119) designating Albina Fuel as the county’s sole-source provider for chip seal oil and fog seal oil, citing the county’s long history with that product and performance characteristics needed for local chip-seal work. - Commissioners approved a motion to purchase a 1991 Autocar surplus vehicle from ODOT for $17,000 to replace older units; staff said surplus units will be removed from inventory when policy updates allow online sales. - The board approved continuing relationships with Rogers Asphalt and Baker Valley/Valley Paving for asphalt and paving needs in Huntington and Baker areas, citing different plant mix and regional logistics.

Kiosks and tourism-funded projects - A staff member presented a proposal to buy three double-sided metal kiosks from Natural Structures at a discounted price of $9,000 each (total $27,000). Commissioners expressed concern about price variance between vendors and asked staff to obtain formal bids and stronger commitments from affected cities (Sumter, Unity, Huntington) before final approval. The board asked staff to bring updated bids and city confirmations to the Tourism & Lodging Tax (TLT) committee meeting on April 17 or to the next commissioners’ session.

Other board business - The board approved property value appeals adjustments (Order No. 2025-117), reappointed members to the Baker County Weed District Board (Order No. 2025-118), appointed Commissioner Michelle Kaisberg to the Community Connections board of directors (Order No. 2025-120) and ratified routine financial reports. - In executive-session follow-up, upon returning to open session the board authorized county counsel Kim Mosier to sign an engagement letter with Workplace Solutions Northwest for personnel matters.

Most motions were carried by unanimous voice vote with “aye” recorded; where dollar amounts or vendor names were discussed staff provided deadlines or spending limits as noted above. Several items — notably the kiosks purchase — were deferred so staff can return with more formal bids and written city support.