Morrow County commissioners on Jan. 7 approved an initial list of 15 projects for a five-year capital improvement plan, including a newly added roof replacement project for the Heppner Library and the Morrow County Historical Museum in Heppner.

The addition was proposed during discussion of the county’s preliminary capital project list, which staff said had been narrowed from a larger set reviewed at a Dec. 17 work session. A staff member addressed as Matt told commissioners that funding “has been set aside, several $100,000” and later that “we've accumulated $300,000,” but that a final project price is not yet known and the work was anticipated to be completed in 2027.

Commissioners clarified that the vote approved an initial project list and plan, not individual project budgets. One commissioner asked whether projects would be subject to later, individual budget approvals; staff and commissioners agreed final budget approvals and any contractor estimates would be addressed when the county prepares the formal CIP for adoption at a later meeting, currently expected in February.

An unidentified commissioner moved to approve the initial list with the Heppner Library/County Museum roof added, and the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

Staff said the next steps are to obtain contractor quotes and estimates and to prepare the formal CIP document based on the 15 projects for the board’s future consideration. The motion does not authorize construction or final expenditures; those decisions require later, project-level approvals.