Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Actions Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Wasco County approves appointments, grant modification and routine contract awards; pets‑policy vote deferred
Summary
At its May 20 session the board approved several appointments to local boards, accepted a U.S. Forest Service law‑enforcement grant modification, approved a sole‑source arena fencing purchase, authorized a medical‑examiner services amendment for regional cooperation and passed routine consent items; the proposed countywide pets‑in‑the‑workplace policy was presented and deferred for additional review.
The Wasco County Board of Commissioners on May 20 approved a package of appointments, contract modifications and routine items, and reviewed several staff proposals that will return for later action.
Appointments and board seats: The board approved Order 26‑019 appointing Tracee Sallee to the Wasco County Fair Board and Order 26‑020 appointing Colleena Tenold‑Sauter to the Fair Board after commissioners highlighted the nominees’ experience and commitment. The board also approved Order 26‑021 appointing Mitzi Mason to the Mid‑Columbia Housing Authority Board of Directors to fill a vacancy and approved Order 26‑022 temporarily appointing Commissioner Jeffrey L. Justesen to the North Central Public Health District Board of Health until a permanent replacement is named.
Grants and contracts: Chief Deputy Scott Williams presented a modification to the county’s continuing contract with the U.S. Forest Service for national forest patrols, and the board accepted a current allocation of $18,260 to fund patrol personnel for the year. The board also moved to approve a project‑specific sole‑source contract award to 6S Enterprises for $187,938 to purchase custom‑fabricated arena fencing materials needed to match existing proprietary panels; the packet explained the award is justified to preserve structural compatibility and warranties.
Intergovernmental agreements and services: Staff presented Amendment #3 to the Medical Examiner Services Agreement between Wasco County and Hood River County, updating compensation terms for medical examiner services and training for local death investigators to $150 per hour plus 15% for administrative overhead; the board moved to approve the amendment. The board also considered the QLife intergovernmental agreement to provide collocation space at the county’s Berwyn Data Center for QualityLife Network telecommunications equipment; the draft IGA sets collocation fees ($250 per bay monthly) and power fees ($187 monthly) and proposes an initial five‑year term beginning June 1, 2026. The IGA motion was presented for approval by motion in the packet.
Operational items and waivers: The board approved a volunteer ambulance reduced‑staffing waiver for Dufur Ambulance to permit a single advanced provider plus a driver when a second EMT is unavailable; staff said the waiver is used rarely but is an important contingency. Commissioners also approved a Road Use Agreement for weed‑control access (ODOT/Sherman County) limiting responsibilities to a county right‑of‑entry and not obligating Wasco County to spray county roads. The board approved the Consent Agenda which included routine minutes and previously reviewed items.
Policy and review items: Human Resources Director Fiona Ferguson presented a proposed Pets in the Workplace policy to standardize county rules on service animals, employee accommodation requests and a 45‑day transition period; commissioners requested additional review and agreed to vote on June 3, 2026.
Public comment and adjournment: Leslie Naramore, Executive Director of the Mid‑Columbia Community Action Council, offered condolences on the death of Commissioner Philip L. Brady. Chair Scott C. Hege announced local meetings and adjourned the session at 10:10 a.m.
Actions taken included several unanimous motions approving appointments, contract amendments and routine county business; motions were typically moved by Commissioner Justesen and seconded by Chair Hege.
