Klamath County proclaims Community Action Month; approves wildfire equipment, road contracts and local agreements

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners on May 6, 2025, adopted a proclamation designating May 2025 as Community Action Month and approved several motions including acceptance of grant-funded wildfire risk-reduction equipment, awards and a contract for a road project, an invitation for bids for road overlays, a noxious-weed control agreement, and a county recommendation on a liquor license application.

The proclamation recognized the work of Klamath and Lake Community Action Services (CLASS), noting the agency’s local programs and partnerships. A representative identified in the record as Claire, speaking for CLASS, thanked the board and said, “we are only as strong as our weakest community member,” and noted the organization’s recent staff market adjustments and recognition among Oregon nonprofits.

Emergency Management Director Thigpen presented a grant-funded procurement for community wildfire risk reduction equipment, including air curtain burners, wood chippers and trailers intended for community-led reduction activities on private property across the county. The board was asked to accept vendor quotes and authorize the emergency management director to sign required purchasing documents. The agenda listed a total grant amount of $4,415,000, equipment purchases of approximately $371,000, and project administration costs of $41,500; the item was presented as having no county match. The motion to accept the quotes and authorize signature passed on a voice vote.

Public works staff, represented by Mike Saraczynski, Klamath County Engineer (filling in for Jeremy Morris), told the board that bids were received within estimates and recommended awarding the 2025 Holmdale Road project to Rocky Mountain Construction LLC. The board approved the bid award by voice vote and later approved and signed a contract between Klamath County and Rocky Mountain Construction LLC for the project; the contract item on the agenda listed a $299,992 expenditure to the bicycle trail budget. The meeting record does not specify the bidder amounts or the names of the motion mover and seconder.

The board also authorized the Public Works Department to issue an invitation for bids for 2025 overlays of 7 Mile Road and Dillinger Way; the item was described as primarily a fiscal year 2026 project with the fiscal impact listed as to be determined. That motion passed on a voice vote.

Klamath County additionally approved an agreement with the Klamath County Economic Development Association to treat noxious weeds on county property at the Lake Ewanda Wellness Project, with revenue to the county recorded as not to exceed $4,000. The board voted in favor.

On licensing, the board approved a county recommendation to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission for a liquor license application from Skyline Brewing Company; the agenda noted the county’s recommendation is advisory to the OLCC and that revenue to the county is $25 per license.

The meeting also included the presentation of a five-year service award to Carmen Mathis of the county tax office and a brief announcement by a commissioner about a new monthly coordination meeting, “Team Klamath County,” intended to align county and state elected-official priorities. Commissioners noted ballots were out for several special-district elections and reminded residents of a town hall scheduled at Bonanza High School.

All recorded motions on the agenda were adopted by voice vote unless otherwise noted in the minutes. No formal public comments were recorded at the start of the meeting.