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Board conditionally accepts donated fairground improvements; engineering and permits required for beef wash rack
Summary
Commissioners agreed to accept several proposed capital improvements at the Morrow County Fairgrounds funded through an AWS donation (via the Morrow County Livestock Growers Association) but required engineered plans, Fair Board approval and permits before work begins—the proposed beef wash rack expansion raised specific floodplain and DEQ concerns.
County staff presented a package of proposed capital projects for the fairgrounds funded by an AWS donation managed through the Morrow County Livestock Growers Association, including vent and pen improvements for the sheep/goat barn, an expansion of the sheep show ring, and a proposed beef wash-rack expansion. Staff and the donor’s representative described the benefits to fair participants and children, and asked the board to accept the donations conditionally.
Mike Duncan (Livestock Growers representative) said much of the work is ready to proceed and outlined a path forward for the beef wash rack: "It's just a concrete slab... it requires, to make sure it's on the flood plain... if there was no flood issues, that could be turned around in a matter of hours with a signature," he said, explaining coordination with the City of Heppner and county staff. Planning staff Tamara warned that if the project moves more than one acre of land disturbance the county will need a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). She offered to help 'ground truth' permit requirements given the urgency.
Commissioners expressed general support for the projects but stressed several conditions: formal Fair Board approval, engineered drawings sufficient for building, plumbing and zoning permits, confirmation on floodplain impacts, and any state DEQ requirements. One commissioner noted there is "no financial obligation to the county" for the donations as proposed but there will be administrative steps to record donated capital assets and adjust county books once completed.
The board moved to accept the proposed projects with the stated requirements (engineered plans, permits, and Fair Board approval) and approved the motion by voice vote. Staff will collect the engineered documents, written approvals and permit confirmations before county acceptance and recordation.
