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Wasco BOCC approves Hood River HHWR sublease, parcel sale, recovery center agreement and uniform fee schedule
Summary
Wasco County commissioners unanimously approved a ground sublease with Waste Connections for Hood River HHWR, accepted sale of tax-foreclosed Parcel #7290 for $421.31, authorized a fiscal-agent agreement for the Gorge Recovery Center, and adopted Resolution 25-021 to amend the uniform fee schedule (rounding cash fees to the nearest nickel).
At its Dec. 17 regular session, the Wasco County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a set of routine and programmatic actions, including a ground sublease for the Hood River Household Hazardous Waste & Recycling program, the sale of a 0.01-acre tax-foreclosed parcel, an agreement enabling a fiscal agent for the Gorge Recovery Center, and amendments to the county’s Uniform Fee Schedule.
Ground sublease for Hood River HHWR: Community Development Managing Director Kelly Howsley-Glover asked the board to approve a ground sublease between Wasco County and Waste Connections of Oregon for operation of the Hood River recycling and transfer station. The item is part of the Tri-County household hazardous waste program; Howsley-Glover told commissioners the Hood River facility is "not a separate program" from The Dalles operations and that the rental arrangement and maintenance fees are reasonable for the level of site activity. Vice Chair Philip Brady moved to approve the sublease; Commissioner Jeffrey Justesen seconded the motion. The board approved the sublease unanimously.
Sale of county-owned parcel #7290: Assessor/Tax Collector Jill Amery reviewed a proposal to sell a 0.01-acre parcel acquired by tax foreclosure that contains a capped well; after review of ORS 275.225 and state partners, staff recommended sale to the contiguous property owner, Phil Hoffman, for $421.31 to cover outstanding taxes, fees and research costs. Commissioner Justesen moved to accept the sale; the motion passed unanimously.
Gorge Recovery Center fiscal-agent agreement: Youth Services Director Molly Rogers presented a contract amendment enabling Portland-based Fourth Dimension Recovery Center to serve as fiscal agent for Gorge Recovery Center, which was awarded opioid-settlement funds in a prior competitive process. Rogers said the scope and local intent remain the same and that Gorge Recovery will continue to deliver local services. Vice Chair Brady moved to approve the agreement; the motion passed unanimously.
Uniform Fee Schedule amendment ("No Pennies" policy): Finance Director Mike Middleton reported on coin shortages and proposed amending the county’s Uniform Fee Schedule policy to allow rounding cash fees to the nearest nickel where appropriate, while preserving statutory or fee-specific requirements and exempting certain entities such as the Fort Dalles Museum and County Fair. Middleton described the current ad hoc approach as a "duct tape solution" and recommended formal policy language. The board approved Resolution 25-021 to amend the policy and fee schedule (effective Jan. 2026) by unanimous vote; the resolution and updated fee tables were included in the meeting packet.
The board also approved Order 25-097 vacating a portion of Lily Way (a paper right-of-way in Partition Plat 2025-0008) after staff found no utilities or public benefit in retaining the easement and confirmed 100% of the affected landowners supported the petition.
Votes at a glance: All listed motions were approved unanimously by Chair Scott Hege, Vice Chair Philip Brady and Commissioner Jeffrey Justesen.
What’s next: Staff will finalize documents and execute agreements; the fee schedule changes will take effect in January 2026, and the county assessor and surveyor will complete mapping and recording requirements for the Lily Way vacation.
