Commissioners agree to remain engaged on Kino Dam passage and approve East County Public Safety Service District release process

Klamath County commissioners told staff they want active participation in regional discussions about Kino Dam fish‑passage modifications and agreed the board should send an independent letter in addition to correspondence sent by the Tri‑County group.

A commissioner leading Tri‑County engagement said the Tri‑Counties’ letter would go out with that commissioner as lead, and asked whether the county board wanted a separate letter expressing Klamath County’s own position and to ensure the county remains “at the table” when kilogram (fish‑passage) modifications are discussed. Commissioners agreed they want an independent letter endorsed by the board; the lead commissioner said they would draft a board letter with signatures and meet with federal agencies (Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) the following week.

On a separate agenda item, the board reviewed a draft press release for a proposed East County Public Safety Service District and the draft policies that would apply if the district forms. Staff said the release could be published on the county’s channels and that the draft policies should be reviewed by each commissioner; staff will place the item on the next agenda and publish the release after any final adjustments.

No formal votes providing policy direction on Kino Dam were recorded; the board expressed consensus to stay engaged and requested staff and counsel follow up. For the East County Public Safety Service District, commissioners had no objections to the draft press release and asked staff to post it and bring the draft policies back for review at the next meeting.