Harney County long-term recovery group racing to spend $100,000 flood relief grant

Bob Yonker (spelled both Juncker and Yonker in the meeting transcript), vice chair of the Harney County Long Term Recovery Group, updated Harney County Court on June 18 about a short-term $100,000 flood-relief grant and outreach to affected residents.

Yonker told the court the long-term recovery group has incorporated under the Harney Hub’s nonprofit umbrella and is meeting weekly. He said the group has been working with a loan/case manager, Christy Mace of the Harney Hub, who has processed assessments and distributed funds. “We have a $100,000 grant that’s available… we have until the end of the month to spend that $100,000,” Yonker said, adding that roughly half of the funds have been applied to cases so far and that about 40 families or situations have received assistance.

The group reported it has collected several databases from the American Red Cross, Rubicon and ODHS and consolidated those records to identify affected addresses and households; Yonker said his working database currently lists about 80 potentially affected addresses. Outreach has included mailed letters, social media, radio announcements and word of mouth; Harney Hub staff and the Burns City Hall have distributed information and paper assessments.

Eligibility and uses: Yonker said the grant primarily targets private residences and property and covers damage caused by floodwaters — for example, structural repairs, flooring, insulation, electrical and appliances. He said landlords and commercial rental properties present a more complex eligibility question; the group’s current interpretation is that funds are intended for private-residence impacts and personal property rather than commercial or landlord-paid repairs.

Tribal lands and ownership questions: Yonker said the group welcomes tribal residents to apply, but deferred detailed questions about funds on tribal land to the loan/case manager and county authorities; he said the group is not using race or ownership as a screening factor and is asking anyone who believes they were affected to complete the assessment so the group can evaluate individual cases.

How to apply: Yonker said a Google Forms pre-assessment is available and that Burns City Hall and Harney Hub maintain hard copies for people who prefer in-person assistance. He asked anyone unsure whether they were affected to fill out the form so the group can document and reassess later if additional needs arise.

Yonker and commissioners said the recovery group is intended to be a standing resource for future disasters as well as the current flood response. The court noted county staff — including the emergency manager and public health representation — are on the recovery group. No formal county appropriation or vote on the grant occurred; the group is operating under the Harney Hub nonprofit and the deadline to obligate remaining funds is the end of the month.

Ending: Yonker urged anyone possibly affected to submit an assessment and asked the county to help amplify outreach via county web and social channels.