Coos County approves on‑site wastewater agreement, several hires and contracts; schedules Fairview annexation hearing

The Coos County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9 approved an intergovernmental agreement with Coos Health & Wellness and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to place an on‑site wastewater inspector in the county community development office and approved a package of administrative hires, contracts and vehicle actions.

The agreement, described by county staff as intended to “streamline the permitting process and provide a more effective service to Coos County property owners at a local level,” was approved by the board after a brief presentation and a voice vote. County staff said the inspector will be an employee of Coos Health & Wellness’ environmental health division but located in the community development office to align permitting procedures.

Board members also approved two separate nursery growing agreements to produce roughly 25,000 tree seedlings. The board authorized a one‑year management agreement with PRT USA Inc. for $14,500 to grow 25,000 plug seedlings to be sown in spring 2025 and lifted and planted in early 2026. The board separately approved a growing agreement with J. Herbert Stone Nursery for approximately 25,000 Douglas fir seedlings at a cost of $10,750; commissioners noted there had been prior quality issues with deliveries from J. Herbert Stone Nursery and staff said the vendor had been given seven working days to respond to the county’s concerns.

In sheriff’s office business, commissioners approved a sole‑source finding and contract for a CJIS‑compliant communications platform, GenSys Connect, to allow secure, grant‑funded messaging between dispatch and deputies. Sheriff’s staff said the platform was paid for from a grant and would not impact the general fund. The board also approved several vehicle actions: the transfer of a Chevy 25100 (equipment number 163036) from the sheriff’s office to the Coos County Public Works Department, the salvage declaration of vehicle 162279 (a Chevy Tahoe) and the surplus/auction of vehicle 162295 (a Ford Explorer).

The board approved human resources actions including hiring Kimberly Gray as a mental‑health clinician (step 3, pay grade 447) and hiring Jason Patterson as animal control officer at step 6; staff said Patterson has prior experience with the shelter and that the hire helps preserve his retirement benefits. The board approved an appropriation resolution to accept public donations to partially fund a part‑time animal shelter operator and approved spending authority, subject to counsel review, of up to $70,252 from a marijuana enforcement grant to purchase a third sheriff’s vehicle under that grant.

Separately, the board scheduled a public hearing on a proposed annexation into the Fairview Rural Fire Protection District. The draft order schedules the hearing for Feb. 18 at 9:30 a.m., during a regularly scheduled commission meeting; staff said the annexation proceeding is being conducted pursuant to ORS chapter 198 and that interested persons may appear and be heard.

The board also recessed to act as service district governing bodies and appointed Megan Sims as budget officer for both the 4‑H Extension Service District and the Library Service District for 2025. The consent calendar was approved by voice vote.

Public comment included local residents and callers. Jim Bennett, identified as a resident, told the board “the days of these administrative rule and this alphabet of NGOs… driving our bus is over.” Chris Castleman, calling in, criticized a construction tax approved at a recent school‑district meeting and urged more public engagement on tax measures. Dino Kumalane offered a public expression of thanks and prayer for elected officials.