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Lake County commissioners allow LCRI to seek $100,000 renewable energy grant; reviewed SCOEDD agreement and enterprise zone nomination
Summary
At its Sept. 16 work session the board voted 3–0 to let Lake County Resources Initiative apply for a Community Renewable Energy Grant (up to $100,000, no match). Commissioners also heard a SCOEDD intergovernmental agreement presentation, were asked to consider relocating sheriff offices at the North Lake Annex, and received a Community Corrections director's retirement and succession proposal.
Lake County commissioners at a Sept. 16 work session voted unanimously to permit the Lake County Resources Initiative (LCRI) to apply for a Community Renewable Energy Grant worth up to $100,000 with no local match required, and they discussed several administrative items that may return for formal action in a regular session.
LCRI County Energy Resilience Strategist Joshua Dishman told the board the funds would be used to renovate spaces planned as Community Resource Centers across Lake County. Vice‑Chair Barry Shullanberger moved to allow LCRI to apply, Commissioner James Williams seconded, and the motion carried 3–0.
Separately, Bethany Osborn, Grant and Small Business Loan Coordinator with the South Central Oregon Economic Development District (SCOEDD), presented an intergovernmental agreement and scope of work intended to set clear goals and expectations for services. "The agreement was not a funding request," Osborn told the commissioners; she asked that the board consider signing the agreement by Oct. 1, 2025 and attend a follow‑up work session on Sept. 30.
Commissioner James Williams presented a letter recommending the appointment of Johnathan Van Roekel, SCOEDD loan officer and grant coordinator, as Lake County's Enterprise Zone Manager. Business Oregon Regional Development Officer Larry Holzgang joined remotely and described the role: the county appointee would review enterprise zone applications for eligibility, forward recommendations to the assessor, and assist with abatement negotiations and paperwork. Holzgang noted Klamath County uses KCETA for a similar role, but the Lake County manager would serve only Lake County.
Sheriff Daniel Tague asked to move sheriff operations into additional space at the North Lake Annex in Christmas Valley to improve separation from Community Corrections and to free up space for the Department of Human Services; Facilities and Properties Manager David Berman said the change would be low cost and had no facility objections. Community Corrections Director Jake Greer outlined a constrained 2025–2027 budget and said staff reductions appear unavoidable; Greer proposed retiring Dec. 31, 2025 and returning Jan. 1, 2026 at roughly 20% time until a formal retirement on June 30, 2026, to support a balanced budget and succession planning.
Work‑session minutes record that action or formal consideration on the annex move, the enterprise zone appointment and the Community Corrections plan were to be scheduled in the county's Regular Session; the LCRI application permission was approved during the work session.
