Commissioners direct staff to pursue short-term land options and delegate authority to negotiate septic-permit transfer

County staff updated commissioners on efforts to transfer a septic-treatment permit into the county’s name by Christmas Eve after a prior land option fell through. John reported the earlier prospect on Commissioner Barney’s property is no longer available, which removed a potential conflict of interest. Staff identified several short-term alternatives: limited acreage at the county landfill (possible nitrogen leaching and monitoring concerns), Quail Valley Ranch (landowner concerns about cattle and payment terms), and potential short-term availability from local solar developers who said they might have land available.

John said STEM Camps (the current handler) walked potential properties and would need time to provide firm hauling and operations costs. He also described the county’s need to set a price that would make leases attractive — staff noted current fees: Crook County’s share is 2.5¢ per gallon of a 12.5¢/gallon rate; commissioners discussed potential adjustments (Commissioner Barney suggested 3–4¢ per gallon for dry land and 5–6¢ for irrigated cropland; STEM Camps had earlier cited a 16.5¢-per-gallon hauling price for a specific site).

Given tight timing and uncertainty about whether the board could meet again before the permit deadline, staff recommended either convening a special meeting or delegating authority to a commissioner to negotiate terms and execute documents. The board moved, seconded and approved a motion delegating negotiation authority (language in the meeting specified authority to Commissioner Ermrich to negotiate sub-dispatch/lease terms). Staff will continue to pursue landowner discussions and prepare any necessary fee-change orders.