Baker County commissioners ratify legal engagements, approve contracts and set work session on lodging-tax arrangements

Baker County commissioners used a special March 12 meeting to ratify legal engagement letters, approve multiple service contracts and authorize staff to pursue purchase of the Wigwam historic property near Halfway.

The board voted unanimously on several motions during the meeting. Commissioners ratified Chair Alderson's signature on an engagement letter for "Kinstagie Brooks Smith and Profit LLP," authorized County Counsel Kim Mosher and Chair Alderson to work on an engagement letter with Snell Womer related to the common defense fund, approved a consulting contract with SK Consulting for transit coordination, accepted RD Mac Inc.'s bid for oil rock used in chip sealing and paving, approved an intergovernmental agreement with the city of Huntington for law enforcement services, and approved a county letter of support for WindWave's federal broadband grant application. The board also authorized staff to work with realtor Shannon Downing to pursue purchase of the Wigwam property and approved routine financial and payroll reports.

Votes at a glance: The meeting recorded the following formal outcomes: Commissioners approved the minutes for Feb. 5 and Feb. 19; ratified Chair Alderson's engagement signature for Kinstagie Brooks Smith and Profit LLP (motion passed); authorized County Counsel Kim Mosher and Chair Alderson to work on an engagement letter with Snell Womer and the common defense fund (motion passed with amendment to permit signing out of session); authorized pursuit of the Wigwam property purchase with Shannon Downing and to negotiate on behalf of the county (motion passed); accepted RD Mac Inc.'s bid to supply approximately 20,000 tons of rock at $20.08 per ton delivered to the county pit (motion passed); approved an intergovernmental agreement for law-enforcement services with the city of Huntington for the 2025–26 fiscal year for $74,000 (motion passed); approved a personal services contract between Baker County and SK Consulting, effective March 12, 2025, through June 30, 2026, not to exceed $30,000 for the fiscal year (motion passed); signed a county letter of support for WindWave's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grant application (motion passed); and approved county payroll and accounts payable reports and the February financial report (motions passed).

Several votes were recorded by voice. Where the transcript records only voice votes the minutes reflect unanimous board approval by voice: the board chair called for "all in favor, say aye," and the record shows the ayes and the clerk announced "motion carries." The transcript does not record individualized roll-call tallies by name for each motion.

Commissioners instructed staff to schedule a focused work session to address the county/city transit-lodging-tax (TLT) arrangements, budget impacts and contract transitions (see separate article on TLT discussion). The board directed county staff to coordinate with Baker City, the Tourism and Lodging Tax committee and economic development stakeholders and to bring financial statements and proposed allocations to the planned work session.

Ending: The board closed the regular agenda after approving financial reports and other documented items and adjourned the special session.