Josephine County commissioners approve leases, appointments and auction authorizations at Sept. 30 workshop

Josephine County commissioners on Tuesday, Sept. 30, voted on a slate of administrative items including an opt‑in to a national opioid settlement, multiple lease renewals, two appointments to the Local Public Safety Coordinating Council and authorization for the sheriff to auction seized property.

The decisions came during a roughly two‑hour administrative workshop in the commissioners’ conference room. Commissioners Smith, Barnett and Black handled several routine contract and personnel approvals and heard status updates from county finance, public health and other departments.

Why it matters: The opt‑in to the national opioid settlement sets Josephine County up to receive an undetermined share of a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar fund if the county participates. Lease approvals and property sales affect county real‑estate revenue and the county’s ongoing relationships with tenants — including nonprofit partners and state agencies. The sheriff’s forfeiture auction and drug take‑back programs affect enforcement funding and public safety programming.

Most important actions and context

- The board authorized the county to opt into a proposed settlement with secondary opioid manufacturers; the total settlement amount cited in discussion was roughly $720 million to subdivisions if widely accepted, but counsel said the county’s share cannot yet be calculated and depends on participation and other factors.

- The board approved routine lease amendments, including a renewal with the Oregon Water Resources Department for space at the county building and a lease renewal for a county‑operated transitional housing property (the Walker House) that is subsidized by state transitional‑housing funds.

- The board approved a multi‑year lease with the library as tenant for the property at 200 NW C Street, a package that includes a prorated rent structure tied to recent roof work and a 30‑day termination clause. The lease drew the most debate at the meeting because one commissioner said the effective rent was far below market.

- The board approved changes to the local public safety coordinating council’s bylaws (changing regular meetings from bimonthly to quarterly and lowering the quorum for time‑sensitive special meetings), and appointed two representatives that agencies had selected to fill vacant seats.

- The sheriff received authorization to auction seized items collected over the last several years; county staff said about 40 items were slated for sale and that proceeds are split under Oregon law among the sheriff’s office, state programs and other eligible recipients.

- The board accepted informational updates from the finance department on treasury reconciliations and the county’s audit schedule. Finance said outside support has reconciled most non‑operating accounts through July and the main operating account reconciliation remained in progress; auditors and finance staff said the audit may be delayed into January and an extension to March 31 was discussed.

Votes at a glance (motions taken during the workshop)

- Opt in to opioid settlement litigation (Case No. 3‑18CB520): motion to opt in; mover and seconder recorded; roll call: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0). (Provenance: opt‑in discussion began when county counsel introduced the settlement option and concluded with the recorded roll call.)

- Lease amendment with Oregon Water Resources Department (space at county building): motion to approve; roll call: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Renewal/amendment of lease for library property at 200 NW C Street (five‑year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026; rent tied to roof replacement cost): motion to approve the lease as presented; roll call recorded as Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – No. Outcome: approved (2–1). (Board discussion and the vote are summarized in the library‑specific article.)

- Authorization to sell nine properties and related land‑sale paperwork from a recent county auction: informational presentation of results and direction to prepare documents; board directed staff to proceed with necessary deed, return‑of‑sale and order documents.

- LPSCC (Local Public Safety Coordinating Council) bylaws revisions (change to quarterly meetings; special‑meeting quorum set at six) and two LPSCC appointments (mental health representative and victim services representative): motion(s) to approve; roll calls: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Authorization to auction forfeited items seized in drug investigations (approx. 40 items): motion to authorize sheriff’s recommendation; roll call: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Approval to participate in DEA drug take‑back program (drop box in sheriff’s lobby): motion to approve contract/participation; roll call: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Public health: approval to sign a booth‑space agreement to attend an AllCare “Healthy Kids” outreach event and approval of a lease for WIC services in Curry County to move into a new ODHS building in Brookings: roll calls recorded as Yes by all three commissioners. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Approval of the Walker House lease renewal (transitional housing at 1112 NE D Street) and authorization for the chair to sign property tax‑exemption paperwork: roll call: Smith – Yes; Barnett – Yes; Black – Yes. Outcome: approved (3–0).

- Champagne Estates plat map: motion to approve; roll call recorded as Yes by all three commissioners. Outcome: approved (3–0).

What the board did not finalize

- A countywide fee schedule revision is on the timeline for a public hearing; finance staff said the next step will be an order on Oct. 9 to set a public hearing date and packet materials will be prepared for that meeting.

Key people who spoke during the workshop (selected)

- Commissioner Richard Smith (chair) — presided over the meeting and made several motions. - Commissioner Christopher Barnett — seconded or joined votes on routine items. - Commissioner Mark Black — raised substantive objections to the library lease rental terms and voted no on that item. - County legal counsel (identified in the record as Hicks) — summarized the opioid settlement option and other legal items. - Director Hector Hyde — presented LPSCC items and appointments. - Director (finance) Grace [last name not specified] — provided the treasury/audit update. - Sheriff’s representatives and property manager Sherry — discussed auction items; sheriff present for discussion.

Next steps

Staff will prepare lease documents and signature packets for the library lease and other approved agreements, finalize auction closing documents and return‑of‑sale materials, and prepare the Oct. 9 agenda item to set a public hearing on the county fee schedule.