Long Term Recovery Group asks Harney County Court for up to $10,000 and recovery annex to emergency plan

Stacy Davies, representing the Harney County Long Term Recovery Group, told the county court on Aug. 20 that the volunteer-led group has assisted 33 homes at a cost of more than $206,000 since the last flood and is currently working with 21 households. "Disasters happen locally and they're best solved locally," Davies said, describing the group's role in housing-focused long-term recovery.

Davies said the group has contracted with a local administrator, described donations it has received ("an additional 100,000 plus"), and requested up to $10,000 from Harney County to strengthen local matching funds ahead of additional state grant opportunities. "If we could get the county court to donate up to 10,000, we'd be able to leverage that amount when we go for additional grants and funds throughout the state," she said.

The group also asked the court to add a recovery annex to Harney County's emergency management plan that would designate an entity or fund to receive short-term and long-term donations and clarify which agencies manage immediate response (temporary housing, outhouses, dump fees) versus longer-term rebuilding. Davies described the group's structure as a nonprofit operating under an existing hub for fiscal oversight and said the group can receive referrals from county staff for residents in need.

Judge William James Hart and Commissioner Frank discussed next steps and asked staff to coordinate with emergency management and to consider agendizing formal action at a later meeting. The court did not take a final vote on the donation request on Aug. 20 but agreed to place further consideration on a subsequent agenda. Ending: Court members directed staff to continue coordination with emergency management and to return the item for possible action in a future session.