Harney County Court approves support for Title II projects, appoints pro tem justice, and adopts emergency appropriation

Harney County Court took several formal actions during its May 6 regular session. All votes were taken by voice and the court recorded unanimous approval for each motion. These items were routine but formalized county authority or budget changes.

Summary of votes and formal actions

- Support for U.S. Forest Service Title II fund uses for weed management and the Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) extension: The court voted to support using previously authorized Title II funds for three previously approved projects: (1) Harney County Cooperative Weed Management Area treatment of medusahead and other annual grasses on service roads and Forest Service/BLM-adjacent lands ($80,000 estimated), (2) a second $80,000 allocation for a Soil and Water Conservation District-led weed-management effort adjacent to federal lands, and (3) an extension of the OYCC program for two additional years at approximately $194,000. The motion passed by voice vote; commissioners expressed that these are previously approved projects and the action was to authorize spending remaining entitled funds.

- Appointment of Ryan Connell as justice of the peace pro tempore (court order): The court approved a court order appointing Ryan Connell as justice of the peace pro tempore for Harney County Justice Court through the remainder of the 2025 calendar year. The order cited state statutory authority for pro tem appointments (transcript reference: ORS 51.26, section 2 as cited by meeting speakers). The court noted the appointment is limited to temporary absence or incapacity and that a yearly record will be maintained to account for time. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Resolution 2025-08 (appropriation for Fair Fund 252): The court approved Resolution 2025-08 to appropriate unexpected revenues and increase materials and supplies in Fair Fund 252. The resolution increases revenue by $100,000 to a new total of $853,991 and increases materials and supplies by $100,000 to $516,605, to cover revenues from a recent fire camp and an unplanned restroom renovation caused by winter pipe damage. The motion carried by voice vote.

- Administrative approvals: The court also approved the meeting agenda and several sets of minutes (regular session 04/15/2025; work session on fire safety 04/15/2025; special session minutes for asphalt bids 04/23/2025) during the consent portion of the meeting. Each approval was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance (formal outcomes) - Approval: Agenda for 05/06/2025 — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Approval: Minutes (04/15/2025 regular session; 04/15/2025 work session; 04/23/2025 special session) — outcome: approved (voice vote). - Motion: Support use of Title II funds for weed treatments and OYCC extension — outcome: approved (voice vote); tally recorded as unanimous 'aye.' - Motion: Approve court order appointing Ryan Connell as JP pro tempore for remainder of 2025 — outcome: approved (voice vote); statutory authority cited by speakers in meeting transcript. - Motion: Adopt Resolution 2025-08 appropriating funds in Fair Fund 252 — outcome: approved (voice vote); increases of $100,000 to revenue and $100,000 to materials/supplies were recorded.

Context: Several of these items were presented as continuations or formalizations of previously approved projects (Title II funds) or as routine administrative actions (minutes, agenda, appointment). The Title II funding item involved more discussion from an outside presenter and drew questions about project duration and the source of the funds (previous years' unspent Title II/SRS allocations). No commissioner reported opposing any motion; each item carried by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: The court closed new business after the votes and moved on to correspondence and general deliberation.