Commissioners authorize purchase of rock processing equipment and a larger drone after supply delays

The Umatilla County Board of Commissioners authorized purchases to replace aging public-works equipment and to acquire a drone for county operations during its July 22 meeting.

Public Works Director Tom Mellows told the board that the county’s existing rock-processing equipment dated to the early 1970s, required custom-made parts and was increasingly unreliable. He said the county selected a Lehman-brand plant consisting of a jaw, a cone and a screen, and stated the cost as “2,301,104” in the presentation. Later in the discussion one commissioner moved to authorize a purchase “in the amount of $22,301,140.” The transcript contains both figures; the board approved the authorization. The transcript does not reconcile the discrepancy or provide the vendor contract number.

Mellows also briefed commissioners on a drone purchase. The board had previously approved an RFP award for two drones; because the originally specified T25 model became unavailable, staff proposed switching to the larger T50 model. The county had already purchased batteries for the earlier model and the vendor agreed to credit those batteries toward the T50 purchase, reducing the net cost increase. The purchase amount discussed for the drone was $13,998. Commissioners moved and seconded the authorizations and the motions passed.

During discussion a commissioner asked about concerns related to DJI operating software and U.S. use; staff said they had discussed the issue with a drone-control associate who had FAA experience and indicated limited concern for the county’s intended, nonmilitary uses.

The board did not provide procurement contract numbers or explicit delivery timelines in the transcript; staff said higher-dollar purchases required board authorization. The county directed staff to proceed with the purchases under the approved authorizations.