Commissioners report on fair funding, forest hazard tree work, transit security and justice center

Several commissioners used their updates to report on state and local initiatives, including efforts to increase fairground lottery funding, forest hazard-tree removal projects, transit security measures, and the county justice center's near-completion status.

One commissioner said state legislators are considering removing a 1% cap on lottery funding for fairgrounds and that the county's fairgrounds are seeking more funds; the commissioner said last year the state distributed roughly $917 (transcript likely missing thousands) in lottery dollars overall and that local advocacy is ongoing. The commissioner said livestock sales and the 4-H association will assist with fundraising and financing.

Another commissioner reported that the Oregon Department of Forestry/Forest stakeholders plan to remove hazard trees in the Crazy Creek/Veil Ridge/Wylie Flat areas to open roads to the public, using an exemption process to speed work. Commissioners also said they will evaluate transit security measures through COIC (Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council) and may consider bus card systems for security screening on buses.

A commissioner reported continued work to finish the county justice center, noting ongoing tweaks and state funding support. No formal actions or votes were taken on these updates; they were informational reports to the board.