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Josephine County commissioners fail to approve library lease amendment as residents raise costs and program concerns
Summary
The Board of Commissioners declined a motion to approve the library lease in its original August 21 form after residents raised questions about a 30‑day termination clause, the Dimock campus sale, renovation costs and impacts on OSU Extension and 4‑H programming. Chair says county counsel is consulting with the library’s attorney on next steps.
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 4 failed to approve a motion to accept the library lease as presented on Aug. 21 after a wave of public comments raised questions about potential costs and program impacts if the county moves planning and public health out of the library building.
The lease motion was made by Commissioner Barnett and did not pass. Commissioners had earlier approved the consent calendar by a 3–0 roll call vote; the board also recorded that pending administrative and personnel actions were approved without objection.
The dispute centers on whether the library district — and a pending Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Oregon State University Extension Services — should shoulder costs tied to the county’s facilities needs. Nancy Lester, a Grants Pass resident, told the board the two properties that make up the Dimock campus are listed at "$3,250,000," and she offered online estimates for renovation costs if planning and…
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