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Commissioners discuss East County policing district and say jail limitations stem from staffing, not funding
Summary
During commissioner reports at the Jan. 28 meeting, members discussed work on an East County Policing District, announced a Jan. 30 town hall, and described Klamath County jail capacity limits as a staffing issue rather than a funding shortfall.
Klamath County commissioners used their Jan. 28, 2025 meeting to report on ongoing work to create policing districts and on the county jail’s operational status. Commissioners described next steps for an East County Policing District and announced a public town hall on Jan. 30, 2025 to discuss the proposal.
One commissioner reported meetings in Washington, D.C., with federal legislators and agency staff and said they were working on timber and water matters as well; that commissioner said a town‑hall meeting on the East County Policing District is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Bonanza, beginning around 6:30 p.m.
Separately, commissioners discussed the county jail. One commissioner described the jail as partially open — three pods exist but not all were staffed — and emphasized the county has funding for more corrections deputies but lacks the personnel to fill positions because of hiring and background investigation challenges. Another commissioner pushed back briefly on characterizing the problem as a funding shortfall; the board reiterated that the primary constraint at present is hiring and retention, not current funding levels.
The comments were made during the commissioners’ reports portion of the meeting; no formal direction, resolution or vote on the policing district or jail staffing was recorded on Jan. 28.
