Brad Cross, Wasco County surveyor, told the board July 16 that the Department of Revenue awarded a $45,765 ORMAP grant to remap 621 taxlots near Point Hollow and to update parcel data in the county's GIS. "This grant is our, one of our twice annual grants that we have for ORMAP," Brad said. "It's $45,765 from the Department of Revenue for remapping of 621 tax slots in the area around Point Hollow to update our assessors maps and the parcel information on our GIS." He also said the grant includes $5,400 for a new plotter for the assessor's office.
Commissioners also approved a revised intergovernmental agreement with Hood River County. Brad said Wasco County has provided surveyor services to Hood River County since 2015 and that the workload and personnel costs have increased; the new agreement raises the base rate and allows annual adjustments under the county's compensation policy. "This new contract will increase the base rate, and it provides for us to increase annually based on our compensation policy," Brad said, describing the change as intended to cover about half of the surveyor program's personnel costs.
Commissioner Phil moved to approve the Department of Revenue intergovernmental agreement (contract number PO‑15000‑0004923); the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote.
On the Hood River agreement, commissioners discussed cost sharing and succession planning; Brad said staff will continue public land corner restoration and hopes his technician will pursue licensure as part of succession planning. Commissioners noted a recent state legislative change permitting fee increases for the public corner fund and asked staff to bring options for adjusting the county fee.
Action: The board approved acceptance of the ORMAP grant and ratified the intergovernmental agreement to continue providing surveyor services to Hood River County.