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Council rejects proposal to contract a half‑time community resource officer for Harbor
Summary
After extensive debate over liability, jurisdiction and costs, the Brookings City Council declined to authorize an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Curry County to place a half‑time Community Resource Officer (CRO) in the Harbor area. The motion failed 2‑2 with one abstention.
The Brookings City Council on Sept. 22 voted down a proposal to authorize an intergovernmental agreement with Curry County to fund a half‑time Community Resource Officer to work in the Harbor area.
Mayor Isaac Hodges said the proposed arrangement was intended to increase services in the Harbor and would be paid for by the county. “This is an increased services with this halftime person to Harbor… and that is, the agreement is that is paid for by the county,” Hodges said during the discussion.
The proposal drew lengthy questioning from council members about who would enforce camping and trespass rules on county or state property, whether Brookings would absorb added costs if backup or other support were needed, and whether the county’s use of opioid settlement or other funds would reduce sheriff resources.
Why it matters: Council members said the Harbor area’s public‑safety and homelessness issues affect Brookings, but they differed sharply over whether the city should enter this particular agreement and what risks it would entail for Brookings taxpayers and city services.
City staff and police leaders outlined how the CRO position would operate under the draft IGA. Chief McCray and Lieutenant Dodson told the council the CRO’s main responsibility would be resource connection and outreach — not independent enforcement on property outside city jurisdiction. City Attorney Lori Cooper advised that the IGA, as drafted, does not explicitly give the CRO authority to enforce county camping ordinances; she recommended the CRO not issue camping citations on county property and that the CRO contact the sheriff for enforcement on county land.
Several councilors pressed staff for specific cost accounting. Councilor Malmberg raised the need to include “the true cost of the officer” beyond salary — vehicle, insurance, retirement and other overhead — and asked whether those ancillary costs were fully covered by the county. Staff said payroll roll‑ups and a 10% administrative fee had been considered in the county proposal, and that the county had indicated willingness to discuss amendments if unexpected costs arose.
Councilor Martin opposed the agreement, saying it risked shifting costs or responsibility from the county and sheriff to Brookings. “I oppose this agreement for several reasons… Our number one priority is to the residents of the city of Brookings,” Martin said.
A motion to authorize the city manager to enter the IGA, amended to include language ensuring ancillary costs would be covered, was made and seconded. The Council vote was two in favor, two opposed and one abstention; the motion failed for lack of a majority.
Votes at a glance: - Motion: Authorize the city manager to enter an intergovernmental agreement with Curry County for a half‑time Community Resource Officer, with added language to ensure ancillary costs would be covered. - Mover: Mayor Isaac Hodges - Second: (second provided; name not specified on record) - Vote tally: Yes 2, No 2, Abstain 1 — Outcome: failed
What councilors asked staff to do next: Councilors and staff agreed the issue should continue to be monitored and that any future agreement include clearly itemized costs and routine periodic review to ensure Brookings service levels in the city are not reduced. Several councilors urged broader stakeholder outreach, including ODOT and the sheriff’s office, because many encampment complaints arise on state right‑of‑way.
Implementation details and limits cited in discussion: staff and counsel said the CRO would focus on outreach, connection to services and coordination with partner agencies; the CRO would not unilaterally enforce camping rules on county or state property and would coordinate with the sheriff or ODOT for enforcement actions. The county previously approved its draft IGA at its Sept. 3 meeting and had participated in workshops with the city in July and August.
Ending: Councilors agreed the Harbor public‑safety and homelessness issues affect Brookings and warranted continued cooperation with Curry County, ODOT and the sheriff, but they did not approve the proposed contract under the terms presented Sept. 22.
