Yamhill County commissioners approve contracts, grant application and new position; Johnston Creek House restroom remodel funded

Yamhill County commissioners on July 10 unanimously approved a series of contracts, a grant application and a budget-neutral personnel action, including $151,000 for a restroom remodel at the county-owned Johnston Creek House.

The board approved Amendment No. 11 to Agreement No. 026028 between Yamhill County Health & Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority for an additional $19,910, retroactive to July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025; an agreement with George Fox University for $102,453.46 to support an early learning childcare center through Dec. 31, 2026; and an intent-to-award of $366,886.50 to Specialized Pavement Marking LLC for 2025 highway striping services. The board also authorized staff to submit an application for the 2025–2027 Oregon Youth Authority juvenile crime prevention basic and diversion services state grant and approved a $151,000 contract with Blue Spruce Builders Inc. to remodel restrooms at the Johnston Creek House, effective on full execution.

In personnel actions, the board approved establishing a geographic information systems (GIS) coordinator position in the Office of Assessment and Taxation. Staff clarified the action adjusts FTE authorization in the assessor’s budget and is budget-neutral using existing funds rather than requesting additional county money. The board also appointed Deputy County Administrator Kevin Perkins as the county’s representative to the Affordable Housing Corporation, replacing the county administrator for that liaison role.

Discussion was limited for most items and motions passed by unanimous voice vote. Board members noted the Johnston Creek House — a county-owned residence used for women in recovery and their children — has been closed pending repairs. The restroom remodel was described as converting two very small bathrooms into a larger, ADA-compliant facility to allow the house to reopen for residents. County staff noted the work is intended to address accessibility needs and to allow women with children to return to the program.

The pavement-marking award and George Fox University agreement were presented as routine procurement and service agreements; commissioners moved approval with no substantive debate. The authorization to apply for the Oregon Youth Authority grant did not include an award amount in the meeting record; the board approved submission of the application only.

Votes at a glance

• Amendment No. 11 to Agreement No. 026028 (Yamhill County HHS — Oregon Health Authority) — $19,910; approved unanimously.

• Agreement with George Fox University — $102,453.46 for early learning childcare center through 12/31/2026; approved unanimously.

• Intent to award to Specialized Pavement Marking LLC — $366,886.50 for 2025 highway striping services; approved unanimously.

• Authorization to submit application for 2025–2027 Oregon Youth Authority juvenile crime prevention basic and diversion services state grant — application authorized; approved unanimously.

• Agreement with Blue Spruce Builders Inc. — $151,000 for Johnston Creek House restroom remodel; approved unanimously.

• Establish GIS coordinator position in Office of Assessment and Taxation — position authority approved; described as budget-neutral; approved unanimously.

• Appointment of Kevin Perkins as Yamhill County representative to the Affordable Housing Corporation board — approved unanimously.

The board took the actions during a roughly 24-minute formal session that followed approval of a consent agenda and several department updates. No recorded roll-call tallies were given; each motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Several commissioners provided brief announcements after the votes, touching on local events, state legislative developments and concerns about upcoming Medicaid funding reductions.