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County confronts high property cleanup costs; board directs abatement work and considers funding options
Summary
Property Manager Terry Wells reported cleanup estimates ranging from roughly $14,000 to much higher amounts, prompting the board to direct abatement work, review funding limits, and ask staff to investigate whether opioid settlement money could cover hazardous-waste cleanups.
Property Manager Terry Wells told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners that cleanup quotes for nuisance and code-enforcement properties vary widely; some properties could be cleaned for roughly $14,000 while others would require substantially more work and cost, potentially making sales infeasible.
The board discussed funding shortfalls, noting that $100,000 had been set aside for abatement through Code Enforcement but that Property Sales revenue was insufficient to cover all cleanup costs. Commissioners and staff explored options including additional general fund support and targeted account management for abatement work. Commissioner Minty asked staff member Vickie Noel to investigate whether opioid-settlement funds could be used for cleanups involving hazardous waste such as needles.
The board agreed to direct the Property Manager to proceed with required cleanups; some cleanups will proceed under existing budget thresholds, while others will return to the board for approval if costs exceed those thresholds. No specific additional appropriation was made at the administrative meeting.
