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Josephine County commissioners approve several purchases and a temporary hiring pause
Summary
At a March 31 administration workshop, Josephine County commissioners approved multiple equipment and infrastructure purchases, a $16,900 fuel‑tank cleanup, and a countywide hiring pause through the fiscal year; several items were forwarded to the weekly business session for final action.
Josephine County commissioners approved multiple procurement and personnel actions at an administrative workshop on March 31, 2026.
The board approved several motions on purchases presented by Public Works Manager Richard Pike. Commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize materials for a Fish Hatchery Road guardrail replacement estimated at $86,393.20; Pike said total in‑house costs including labor were expected to reach about $102,000 and that an insurance claim is pending to cover some costs. The board also approved a $435,382 purchase from Bearcat Manufacturing to replace a department chassis, noting the department had budgeted $297,000 and planned to auction older equipment to offset costs. Commissioners approved a $16,900 contract for cleanup and soil testing of underground fuel tanks before decommissioning and authorized invoices totaling $173,678.76 for three sheriff’s office vehicles that had already been budgeted and received.
On personnel policy, Commissioner Gary Richardson proposed a countywide hiring pause through the remainder of the fiscal year, allowing exceptions for critical positions that receive board approval and permitting already‑approved job postings to continue. Richardson moved the pause; Commissioner Colene Martin seconded, and the motion passed on roll call voting with Commissioners Martin, Richardson and Chair Ron Smith recording “yes.” Human Resources Director Michelle Shaw then presented multiple personnel requisitions and actions, including a Treasury accounting specialist request and reclassifications in Veterans Services. The board approved the personnel requisitions and agreed to delay certain veterans‑services personnel actions until the July budget process.
Additional administrative directions included a requirement that staff submit meeting documents at least 48 hours before a meeting or risk postponement, and a request that county legal counsel advise staff on which items should be moved to the weekly business session.
The workshop adjourned at 3:42 p.m.
