The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 30 approved a maintenance project to replace aging fire/security dialers with cellular dialers to reduce recurring landline costs, except for the District Court component, which the board deferred while staff verifies compatibility and cost.

Rob Grandstaff, director of maintenance, told commissioners that replacing line-based dialers would eliminate per‑building CenturyLink landline charges (one example cited: $152 per month) while retaining monitoring for about $26 a month. Commissioners asked whether replacing District Court equipment could also add fire detection; Grandstaff said the court currently lacks a fire detection system and that adding fire monitoring could change the District Court price. The board approved the project for listed buildings while excluding District Court until staff returns with cost and compatibility details.

Separately, Grandstaff presented a contractor request (CKJT) to extend scope for the courthouse handrail project because of historic‑material challenges, mock-ups and code requirements (handrails must resist lateral loads). Commissioners pressed for an itemized justification for a roughly $10,000 increase; Sebastian Roberts, deputy prosecutor, recommended the county get answers to several questions before proceeding. The board agreed to table the handrail scope increase until next week to review additional detail.

Two additional items cleared the agenda: the board approved a revision to the 2025 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) application list to include an inadvertently omitted application, and it authorized the Superior Court presiding judge to execute an agreement with Blue Mountain Action Council. Both measures passed by unanimous votes.

The maintenance approval will be finalized for the specified buildings after staff provides the District Court compatibility analysis; the handrail work remains on hold pending contractor documentation.