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Harney County Court approves agenda, minutes, two road approaches and sets hearing for Jersey School District road vacation
Summary
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Harney County Court approved routine agenda and minutes, approved two approach/culvert applications on county roads, adopted a resolution to initiate a road vacation petition hearing for Jersey School District 13 and completed several annual appointments including the countybudget officer and health officer.
Harney County Court met Jan. 8 in Burns and approved a series of routine agenda items, two road approach applications and a resolution setting a public hearing on a road vacation petition from Jersey School District 13.
The court voted to approve the Jan. 8 agenda and the Dec. 18, 2024 minutes by voice vote. Commissioners also approved two applications to install approaches/culverts on county roads after road-master review: an approach at milepost 19.9 on Heinz Logging Road for the Rickman Ranch application, and an approach on Fields Denial Road for applicant Cameron Merle. Both motions were made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
On a separate item the court adopted Resolution 2025-1, initiating proceedings to vacate Third Street between Commercial and B streets and two adjoining alleys in the town of Jersey at the request of Jersey School District 13. The county recorded that the petition was notarized and that no other landowners would be affected; the court set a public hearing for Jan. 23 at 6:10 p.m. in the Harney County Courthouse courtroom to receive the road masterreport and public comment.
The court completed routine annual orders and appointments for 2025: - Appointed Judge William Hart as county budget officer for fiscal year 2025-26. - Designated the Burns Times-Herald as the official county newspaper for 2025. - Appointed Dr. Sarah Laossa, DO, as county health officer for 2025. - Appointed Judge Richard Chirico (Grant County) and John Lamborn (Harney County attorney) as Justice of the Peace pro tem designees.
During public comment before those votes, Clerk Robinson urged the court to develop a strategic plan and continuity-of-government guidance following a recent storm and power outage that left staff making ad hoc decisions. Clerk Robinson said, "I implore you to get a strategic plan for this organization," and later reiterated the need for a financial-focused strategic plan to guide the court through an anticipated difficult budget cycle.
No roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript; votes were carried by the court by voice vote and announced as "motion carries."
