Klamath County commissioners approve multiple contracts, grants and appointments

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners on April 15 approved a package of contracts, grant actions, policy amendments and appointments affecting county operations, public safety and community programs.

The actions were mostly routine approvals and grant acceptances intended to update county systems and support programs used by residents. Commissioners approved vendor agreements, authorized grant applications, adopted an amendment to the county pension plan, and appointed members to several local advisory bodies.

Votes at a glance - Enterprise resource planning (ERP): The board approved acceptance of Tyler Technologies’ proposal for a new ERP system and authorized the finance director to enter contract negotiations. The county received six proposals; Springbrook, Tyler Technologies and Workday were chosen for demonstrations and Tyler scored highest. Fiscal impact: “none at this time” pending negotiations and contract terms.

- Sheriff’s Office — online auction vendor: The board approved the sheriff’s office recommendation to accept a quote from Prairie Wind LLC to provide online auction services for disposal of firearms and smaller items authorized for disposal. Prairie Wind’s fee structure presented to the board was 10% for firearms and vehicles and 20% for other items. Fiscal impact: undetermined.

- Sheriff’s Office — SPIRE grant application (search and rescue equipment): The board authorized the sheriff’s office to apply for a SPIRE grant from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to acquire a 2025 Tucker Snowcat. If awarded, the equipment was estimated to be valued at approximately $258,000. The motion authorized application only; fiscal impact only if the grant is awarded.

- Human Resources — union decertification acknowledgment: The board approved and acknowledged the decertification of the Klamath County Deputy District Attorneys Association as the exclusive representative, as certified by the Oregon Employment Relations Board on June 7, 2022. No fiscal impact noted.

- Pension plan amendment: The board adopted a resolution amending the Klamath County Employees Pension Plan to allow certain promoted employees (previously covered by a police/fire bargaining agreement) to retain combined PERS and county pension credit toward the 25-year police/fire retirement guideline described in their collective bargaining agreement. The board authorized the HR director to sign the amended plan documents.

- Public health — farmers market agreement: The board approved an agreement with the Klamath Falls Farmers Market to provide booth space, at no charge, for WIC farm-direct nutrition voucher outreach and redemption on select market dates. No fiscal impact was recorded in the motion.

- Public works — auction at fairgrounds: The board authorized an agreement with the Klamath County Event Center and Dupree Auctioneers LLC to sell surplus county equipment (including an older bridge truck). Fiscal impact: revenue to be determined based on sales and commission.

- IT — unified networking services amendment: The board approved Amendment 1 with Hunter Communications to continue unified networking services (voice-over-IP phones, internet and site connectivity). The motion noted a fiscal impact of $17,700 per month, for a total noted of $424,800 over the renewal period. The contract originally began April 7, 2020 and included optional renewals.

- USDA APHIS cooperative agreement (wolf depredation): The board approved a cooperative agreement with USDA APHIS Wildlife Services for wolf depredation compensation and financial assistance; the county recorded an expenditure of $50,000 from the commissioners’ miscellaneous grant fund for the program.

- Appointments and advisory panels: The board appointed multiple community members to local boards and committees, including an appointment to the Klamath Housing Authority, the library advisory committee, the local Alcohol and Drug Planning Committee, the Roads Advisory Committee, and other advisory panels. The board also approved revised bylaws for the Economic Development Grant Review Panel and the Tourism Grant Review Panel, including adding a junior (student) member option and a conditional finance-staff voting seat to be used only to meet quorum.

- Liquor license recommendation: The board approved a county recommendation regarding a new liquor license application (Barney’s Family Market); the decision was recorded as a recommendation to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). The county fee for new licenses was noted as $25 to the general fund.

Why it matters Many of the approved items update county operational infrastructure (ERP, networking services, auction disposal practices) or support community programs (WIC outreach, wolf depredation assistance). The pension-plan amendment affects employees promoted out of a union-covered classification by preserving retirement credit consistent with the county’s stated intent in the contract language. The decisions also include routine appointments that populate local advisory bodies.

Meeting context and next steps Most approvals were made without extended debate. Several items (ERP contract, Hunter Communications renewal, and the SPIRE grant application) will require follow-up work by county staff, including contract negotiations and, for grants, further steps only if awards are received. Fiscal impacts for some items were described as “to be determined.”

All formal actions recorded at the meeting will be reflected in the county’s signed minutes and contract documents. The board adjourned after brief commissioner reports.