Klamath County board approves extension of KCC contract; one commissioner objects over funding

Klamath County commissioners voted to extend the county's contract with KCC that subsidizes a sergeant position, directing staff to prepare a contract extension and related documents.

Sheriff Shane Mitchell told the board the KCC-funded position "pays 3 fourths of the wages for the sergeant position," and warned, "If we don't fill that contract, we're gonna lose that contract." Commissioners said the position brings outside funding and operational flexibility for the sheriff's office.

The vote passed with the chair and a majority of commissioners signaling aye; Commissioner Hensley voted no. Hensley told the board, "I'm only voting no because I still have questions as to why it needs to be a supervisor, number 1. And number 2, I haven't seen the language. And number 3, I don't believe the contract has the financial responsibility it should have, and it still puts financial liability on our taxpayers." The board acknowledged those concerns and agreed staff should return contract language and staffing details.

Commissioners discussed how the contract affects staffing elsewhere in the sheriff's office. Several members noted the KCC role is largely paid by the external contract and therefore "not likely to be on any type of chopping block" in budget reductions, but acknowledged filling it will create a vacancy elsewhere that must be managed.

The board did not change the contract text on the floor; the action was a direction to staff to prepare and move forward with the extension process. Commissioners emphasized the need to consider the county's broader budget outlook when filling positions and to document the pay-for for any new or converted job.