Commission hears $50,000 DLCD grant offer and next steps to update county code

Attendees at the Nov. 25 Planning Commission meeting said the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) has offered Wallowa County a $50,000 grant to support an update of county development code to better align with state rules.

Attendee Mike Eng reported that DLCD communicated a $50,000 offer and that the department “is unable to provide the service of providing and managing a consultant for this project,” a passage Roger Averbeck later read into the record from DLCD correspondence. Planning Director Franz Goebel said he was not aware of the December email and that next steps include PD Goebel working with DLCD on a scope of work and a contract if the county pursues the grant.

Commissioners discussed using a consultant to run the code-update process and noted the potential cost-effectiveness of contracting technical expertise. PD Goebel also disclosed a tentative retirement window of June or July, which commissioners said makes establishing a clear contracting and handoff process important for continuity.

Engagement steps described in the meeting: Mr. Eng said DLCD’s grant offer requires the county to take the lead in sourcing a consultant; PD Goebel would draft a scope of work with DLCD and, if the county accepts the grant, oversee contractor selection and deliverables. Commissioner Kelsey Juve offered to reach out to technical advisors she knows to assist with scoping.