Umatilla County commissioners approve Walker Road contract, sheriff equipment purchases, grants and four supplemental budgets

Umatilla County commissioners on May 21 approved a package of contracts, equipment purchases, grants and supplemental budgets, including a design-and-construction consulting contract for the Walker Road water-recharge project and a $61,832.40 purchase of seven Motorola M500 in-car camera systems for the sheriff's office.

The Walker Road item centers on a change in where water-recharge work will be located for the Walker Road project. Commissioners were told the recharge originally planned for a depot has been delayed and the work is now proposed for the county’s water room, routing Thunder River water through the existing substation rather than a new substation. Staff described a contract with IRNZ (named in the packet as the contractor) to design the work and provide construction consulting, and to include consultant work for Andrew Water and GSI. The total contract amount was not specified in the public discussion. The board approved the contract by voice vote.

Sheriff’s office purchases approved included seven Motorola M500 in-car camera systems for the current vehicle upfitting order at a total price of $61,832.40. John Roberts, representing the sheriff’s office, said Motorola has been reluctant to sell directly to upfitters since acquiring WatchGuard and that the county will purchase directly from Motorola. Roberts said, “These have a 5 year warranty, included in the in the price, the purchase price.” Commissioners asked staff to verify that the five-year subscription/service elements are included in the stated price; staff said they would confirm.

Also approved was a $8,400 purchase of desktop computers to replace aging units within the sheriff’s office; staff said the purchase is within the current budget and the vendor is a longtime county supplier.

The board approved the Community Economic Development Grant Committee’s recommendation to fund eight applicants, totaling $98,655. Bob Walder, community development director, said the committee “recommendation is to fund 8 different entities, totaling 98,655, dollars.” Commissioners discussed a few examples from the packet: 23 Plus LLC, described as a Pendleton leather- and carpentry-related business, was recommended for façade improvements to improve aesthetics and community presence; Textile Station LLC in downtown Hermiston was recommended for a partial award toward a long-arm quilting machine to expand services. Walder said the next grant application round will open with an application deadline the first Friday in October.

The board approved an extension of the county’s contract with the Soil and Water Conservation District to continue flood-related services at the same amount as the prior year (identified in the meeting as $20,000). Commissioners praised Kyle Wagner’s work at the district; the extension does not increase service levels beyond the current scope.

Other procurement and financial items approved included a $19,514 purchase of pipe from the county’s construction supply vendor, and a CDD (Community Development Department) payable that staff said was reimbursed by the state in the amount stated in the agenda (recorded in the transcript as $4.92). The board also held a public hearing and adopted four supplemental budget orders: Budget Order 2025-62 (Evotech reserve: increase local revenue $3,000; increase materials and services accordingly), Budget Order 2025-63 (Justice Reinvestment: increase state revenue $100,000; increase materials and services), Budget Order 2025-64 (Wellness Hubs: increase state revenue $20,000, increase federal revenue $45,000; increase materials and services $65,000), and Budget Order 2025-65 (Stimulus reserve: increase local revenue $100,000; increase materials and services). Christina King, filling in for Robert Paul, presented the supplemental budget items during the public hearing.

Routine business approved earlier in the meeting included minutes for the April 29 and May 7, 2025 board meetings. Several items were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records commissioners saying “Aye” and the chair announcing motions passed but does not record roll-call tallies.

The meeting adjourned after the board’s business was complete.