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Klamath County budget committee elects officers, receives orientation ahead of April hearings
Summary
The Klamath County budget committee met March 26 to elect officers, review procedures and set expectations for the April county budget hearings; the budget book will be available after April 8.
The Klamath County budget committee elected Linda Tepper as chair, Will Oxley as vice chair and Ashley (last name not specified in transcript) as secretary during a March 26 finance meeting, and received an orientation on the schedule and tools they will use for the county budget hearings.
The committee’s orientation focused on process and logistics rather than budget numbers. Vicky (finance staff) told members the budget book and supporting reports will be available after April 8, and that binders with department-level reports showing 2023 and 2024 actuals, the 2025 working budget and the proposed 2026 budget will be ready about two weeks before the hearings. "After April 8, the budget book will be available for you to look at," Vicky said.
The nut graf: The committee will hear four districts during the formal budget hearing, which may include recessing and reopening the county budget hearing for district-specific presentations. Committee members were advised to plan for full-day sessions on Monday and most of Tuesday, with a possible extension into Wednesday if business requires it.
During the orientation, staff demonstrated ClearGov, the county's budgeting software, and explained how to drill down into funds and departments, including the sheriff's multiple subdepartments. Vicky also explained the LATCF and Secure Rural Schools funds and how those reserves are applied to specific departments. "A lot of people cut positions or left vacancies to save money," she said, describing the general-fund pressures the committee will consider.
Members discussed logistics for the hearings: the committee typically allows about an hour for lunch, and IT will be available to set up laptops. Vicky offered paper binders to any member who prefers printed materials and said she would have them ready by April 8.
Committee chair Tepper, vice chair Oxley and secretary Ashley were nominated and confirmed by voice vote. The committee also noted an alternate, Ruth Ann Strom, who will be briefed before hearings in case she needs to attend.
Ending: Members were asked to arrive early — about 8:30 a.m. — on the first day of hearings to allow IT to set up devices. Staff encouraged questions during the hearings and reiterated that substantial budget discussion of numbers will occur only during the advertised public hearings.
