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Klamath County commissioners approve internal hires, grant application and local support for Bonanza
Summary
At its April 21 administrative meeting the Klamath County Board of Commissioners approved internal hiring and overlap promotions in fairgrounds and public works, authorized a CAFA grant submission due May 1, agreed to a temporary site for youth ATV safety classes and signed a letter supporting Bonanza's small-city grant application.
Klamath County commissioners at an April 21 administrative meeting approved a slate of personnel moves, authorized a finance grant application and signed a letter supporting the Town of Bonanza’s 2026 small-city allotment grant.
On behalf of Derek Raleigh, the fairgrounds director, a presenter identified as EJ asked the board to approve hiring an internal candidate to fill a combined finance/budget manager and grant specialist position at UF26 step 4 and to retain the employee’s current seniority date while the employee completes a 12-month probationary period in the new department. "We are seeking approval to hire the recommended hire for the new finance budget manager and grant specialist position at step 4," EJ said. A commissioner moved to approve the hire and the board approved the motion by voice vote.
A public-works presenter, speaking for Public Works Director Jeremy Morris, asked the board to allow overlap hiring and an early internal promotion to train a replacement before the current heavy equipment operator position is vacated May 28, 2026. The presenter said the department has funds to cover the overlap and emphasized the need for continuity through the county’s chip season. The board approved the overlap hiring by voice vote.
The board also approved permission to use about 1.5 to 2 acres behind the county search-and-rescue compound for youth ATV safety classes funded under a biennial Oregon State Parks grant that supports law-enforcement ATV patrols. The presenter said the youth safety classes are required for riders under 16 to obtain cards allowing them to operate ATVs on public lands.
Finance staff requested board approval to submit the CAFA grant application and authorized the chair to sign to meet the May 1 deadline. The presenter said the CAFA calculation is based on the FTEs used for assessment and taxation and that participating departments include the assessor, clerk, finance, GIS, IT, tax collector and treasurer. One commissioner derisively described the CAFA process as "the dumbest program," a remark reflecting frustration with the grant’s routine but necessary budgeting steps; the board nonetheless authorized submission.
The board agreed to add Doug Robertson, the executive director identified with ONC/OMC counties, as an alternate representative for the Bureau of Land Management resource management plan process so he can speak to county objectives if the primary representative is unavailable. The board also voted to sign a letter of support for the Town of Bonanza’s small-city allotment grant application. The board recessed at the close of business and planned to reconvene at 3:25 p.m. for interviews.
Notes on fiscal details: the fairgrounds presenter said there would be an annual fiscal impact between step 1 and step 4 but the dollar figure in the transcript is garbled and not clearly stated; the CAFA grant amount also was referenced in the discussion but is not specified in the record provided.
Next steps: the CAFA application must be submitted by May 1; the public-works hire is timed to permit training ahead of the May 28 vacancy; formal onboarding and any probationary requirements will follow department procedures.
