Board approves consent agenda and multiple contracts; GK Machine receives rural industrial tax exemption

The Marion County Board of Commissioners approved the consent agenda and a series of contracts and agreements at its Jan. 29 board session. Key formal actions included approval of a public-improvement agreement to relocate and remodel space for the county medical examiner, a rural industrial property tax-exemption resolution for GK Machine, reimbursement to the Oregon Health Authority, and multiple public-works construction contracts.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (motion moved, seconded). Items in the consent agenda included: a sole-source determination and two‑year aerial imagery contract with EagleView/Pictometry International; appointments to the Marion County Ambulance Service Area Advisory Committee; a quitclaim deed for tax-account transfer; an amendment to Peace of Mind Cleaning LLC to add $50,000 (new total $149,000) for janitorial services; public‑works notices and hearings items; an incoming‑funds grant agreement with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management ($222,256; est. $111,128 federal, $14,115 state, $97,013 county) for the Emergency Management Performance Grant through 06/30/2025; and an incoming‑funds Transportation Safety Office grant with ODOT ($399,001.19) through 09/30/2025.

- Public improvement agreement — Medical Examiner relocation: Approved. The board approved a public-improvement agreement with Woodburn Construction CMGC LLC in the amount of $454,000 for relocation and remodel work to move the Marion County Medical Examiner administrative office to a new site on the county campus (term through 12/31/2025). The contract award followed staff presentation about separating medical-examiner administrative functions from juvenile services in the refurbished campus building. Outcome: approved.

- GK Machine rural industrial tax exemption (resolution): Approved. The board approved a resolution awarding a three‑year rural industrial property tax exemption under the county program for GK Machine’s new machinery and equipment at its Donald-area facility. SEDCOR staff reported the project adds about $5.4 million in new taxable property value and the company indicated an intent to hire 18 additional employees, bringing an estimated total of 194 full‑time positions at the location. Outcome: approved.

- Reimbursement to Oregon Health Authority (OHA/ODHS): Approved. The board approved a purchase order to reimburse the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Department of Human Services $299,650 for unutilized funds tied to the 2017–2019 behavioral-health biennium reconciliation. County staff said the money had been set aside pending final reconciliation. Outcome: approved.

- Amendment No. 15 to incoming‑funds intergovernmental agreement with OHA: Approved. The board approved an amendment to decrease funding by $120,206.28 for FY 23–24 (COVID‑related funds) and reallocate those funds into the current fiscal year; the amendment left the biennium total unchanged and adjusted year‑to‑year accounting (new contract total reported by staff $16,627,512.29, retroactive to 11/01/2024 through 06/30/2025). Outcome: approved.

- IT services/licensing agreement — Paradigm Software: Approved. The board approved a standard support and licensing agreement with Paradigm Software to replace an outdated solid‑waste transaction and reporting system. Staff reported a maximum not‑to‑exceed amount of $380,776.70 for licensing, cloud services and subscriptions; the contract term is five years with administrative termination provisions. Outcome: approved.

- Homeland Security grant agreement — emergency operations planning: Approved. The board approved an incoming‑funds Homeland Security grant agreement with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management in the amount of $121,345 to fund contracted emergency-operations-plan updates for several cities in Marion County (contract through 09/30/2026). Outcome: approved.

- North Marion transfer station concrete repairs: Approved. The board approved a construction contract with Bricks Paving Northwest Inc. for $139,743.75 to repair concrete surfaces and joints at the North Marion Recycle and Transfer Station; work scheduled for February–March with county coordination to limit operational impacts. Outcome: approved.

- Shaft Road ADA improvements (Stayton): Approved. The board approved a construction contract with Emory & Sons Construction Group LLC in the amount of $155,598 to install 11 ADA‑compliant curb ramps and associated work on Shaft Road in Stayton, with a completion date of June 20, 2025. Outcome: approved.

Several of the items above were introduced by county staff, and motions were made and seconded by members of the board during the meeting. Commissioners voted in favor of each item during the Jan. 29 session; where individual votes were not read into the record, the board recorded unanimous approval.

Ending: County staff will proceed with contracting steps, vendor notices and implementation. Several grants and agreements require follow-up with partner agencies or taxing districts (for example, the GK Machine exemption requires outreach to affected taxing jurisdictions). No county-level budget increases were approved during the meeting beyond items already reflected in contract totals and consent items.