County approves $50,000 supplemental appropriation to expand on‑site environmental health services

Harney County Court adopted a supplemental budget on March 19 to increase appropriations in the building fund and to support expansion of environmental health services, including on‑site septic permitting and inspections.

At an advertised public hearing, county staff described the change as a loan/transfer from the general fund to the building fund to cover start‑up costs for an environmental health specialist and related capital needs. The supplemental budget resolution (2025‑06) increases personal services in the building fund by $25,000 (to $352,769) and appropriates $25,000 for capital outlay (vehicle and related startup expenses). County staff stated the total building fund expenditures would be $525,774 after the supplemental appropriation.

During the hearing staff explained that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is reducing direct service capacity in the region because a DEQ environmental health worker retired and the state will not replace that position; Harney County is proposing to expand an existing building/environmental program to provide services for additional counties and to accommodate increased regional demand. Commissioners discussed the statutory limits on supplemental budgets, the 10 percent rule for additional revenues, and whether revenues held in an enterprise fund may be used for other county purposes. Treasurer Heaney and county staff advised that the funding approach is structured as a loan with the intent to repay the general fund from future departmental revenues when available.

After public comment was closed, a motion to adopt Resolution 2025‑06 (adopting the supplemental budget and making appropriations to building fund 213) carried by voice vote. Commissioners signed the resolution on the record; no roll‑call tallies were recorded beyond voice approval. County staff said the environmental health specialist will begin work as operationally feasible and that the appropriated vehicle funds are for capital outlay to support field inspection needs.

Ending: The supplemental appropriation was adopted and will be recorded in county budget documents; staff said the environmental health expansion will proceed with executed intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding with partnering counties as necessary.