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City of Medford meters Grant County jail water after dispute over verbal agreement
Summary
City of Medford Manager told Grant County commissioners the city recently installed a meter on the county jail after reviewing an earlier verbal agreement in which the city provided water and the county housed city inmates; the board deferred action while the city reviews one billing cycle and the county drafts an agreement to address charges.
City of Medford Manager Linda Garcia told the Grant County Board of Commissioners on March 16 that the city has installed a water meter on the Grant County Jail and intends to bill for water service after reviewing an earlier verbal arrangement with the county.
Garcia said the prior understanding — under which the city supplied water to the jail at no charge and Grant County provided housing for city prisoners — resulted in only one city inmate being housed by the county in the past five years, and she stated the arrangement "is no longer a win/win for both parties." The city installed a meter last week and, according to county officials, shut off water service without notifying county staff; the Sheriff's Department alerted the County Clerk, who called the City Manager and received an apology.
Why it matters: the change could affect operating costs at the county jail and alters a longstanding intergovernmental practice between Grant County and the City of Medford. Commissioners framed the issue as both a financial and intergovernmental-services matter while seeking a practical path forward.
The board discussed offsets and next steps. Commissioner Keith McClure suggested the city offset new water charges by waiving fees for the city's water tower located on county property at the courthouse lawn. Commissioners agreed the city will review billing after one full cycle and the county will work on a formal agreement spelling out any charges or offsets; no formal action or vote was taken on fees at the March 16 meeting.
County Chair Steve Stinson acknowledged the importance of water revenue to the city's budget but did not move to take immediate action. County Clerk Rachelle McCaleb handled initial notification and follow-up when the Sheriff's Office reported the shutoff.
What happens next: the city will assess charges after a billing cycle and the county will draft an agreement for future consideration. The board did not adopt any ordinance or resolution at the meeting related to water billing.
Provenance: Discussion recorded at SEG 001.
