Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting with department reports, a public hearing on a road jurisdiction transfer (continued to Dec. 2), adoption of an ordinance for the Wellspring Solar project, kickoff of a parks master plan, several appointments and an order to proceed with foreclosure sales, followed by an executive session on labor negotiations.

Discussion Points

•Amanda Kendrick volunteered to work on veteran ridership outreach.
•Commissioner outlined four potential impacts of the rulemaking: caps on community service fees, loss of local bargaining power, redistribution of local dollars and harm to non-tech industries.
•Commissioners agreed there is urgency because comments are due Nov. 6.
•Commissioners raised concerns about continued truck traffic to businesses at the end of the road and enforcement by the city.
•Consultants will conduct stakeholder interviews and public workshops; staff to provide GIS and plan documents.
•Legal counsel suggested memorializing language in the order if desired.
•Need to fill advisory committee vacancies to meet representation requirements.
•Phase one deliverables include comprehensive memo, site inventories and existing‑conditions summary.
•Planning Commission recommended approval of goal-three exception and conditional use permit.
•Process will use sheriff's office assistance for auction processing.
•Project will assess existing park assets and create a 20‑year roadmap.
•Representative requested commissioners contact Rep. Cliff Bentz for federal engagement.
•Representative summarized the movement's progress and legislative obstacles.
•Staff confirmed correction of a minor typographical error in ordinance text.
•Staff identified two parcels and delinquent amounts to add to the foreclosure list.
•Staff recommended transfer of jurisdiction and cited ORS 373.27.

Decisions

•Appointment approved by voice vote.
•Hearing continued to Dec. 2, 2026.
•No formal vote; consensus to submit comments.
•No vote or formal resolution in this meeting.
•Order OR‑2026‑07 approved.
•Ordinance 2026-12 adopted on second reading.
•Proceed with phase one tasks and engagement plan.

Directions

•Clerk/Planning staff to record adoption and update files.
•Commissioners and staff to prepare and file comments to the state rulemaking docket before the Nov. 6 deadline.
•Consultants to compile existing conditions memo and coordinate with county staff for data; consultants may contact commissioners for input.
•No formal board action recorded; request for outreach noted for consideration.
•Staff to complete appointment paperwork and onboard Kendrick.
•Staff to forward properties to the sheriff for processing and listing.
•Staff to research truck-routing and enforcement options and return on Dec. 2, 2026.

Oct

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: October 21, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners met to hear department reports, approve several routine and business items and to approve moving the county fair manager from part-time to full-time with interim funding adjustments; the board also approved a funding agreement for courthouse Phase 2 and approved several grants and procurement actions.

Discussion Points

•Board considered moving tourism functions in-house and using transient lodging revenue to support position.
•County must follow contract and OHA grant timelines to preserve fiscal compliance.
•Emphasis on future requirement for written agreements for payment.
•Exploration of a legislative concept to offset detention facility costs.
•Fair board supports the request and would participate in hiring.
•Grant amount, match requirements and equipment to be purchased were discussed.
•Invoice dated 07/01/2026 arrived after billing cutoff for the contract and grant reporting period.
•Need for locally grounded, data-driven comments to the state advisory committee.
•Need to make fair operations sustainable year-round and to professionalize management; funding availability and timing of state allocations discussed.
•Planning will staff a Nov. 5 listening session with state and industry tables.
•Promotion of 'hero kids' registry to support EMTs and ED staff.
•Ridership increases and efficiency gains (more rides with fewer miles/hours).
•Sources of match (parts revenue and volunteer labor) were described.
•Staff training opportunities and award nominations noted.
•Status of local approvals for data-center campuses and state-level pause/letters affecting some permitting functions.
•Whether the county should pay an invoice that appears to rely on a prior verbal agreement.

Decisions

•Approved application resolution (R-2026-18).
•Approved conversion of fair manager to full-time; directed staff to prepare funding adjustments.
•Approved payment with condition that future non-written commitments will not be honored.
•Approved the public input letter and scheduled public outreach session.
•Denied payment of the late invoice.

Directions

•Fair board to be included in hiring panel and staff to return with funding details at next meeting.
•Finance and administration to ensure written agreements back future payments.
•Finance to notify health district and document the denial for grant auditors.
•Staff to coordinate outreach to schools and community partners to increase registry enrollment.
•Staff to finalize application and provide match documentation if award is received.
•Staff to invite state agency counterparts and prepare materials explaining permit steps.
•Staff to prepare interim budget adjustments from funds dedicated to fair or tourism to fund the position through FY2027.
•Staff to submit the county public-input letter and to host the Nov. 5 listening session at Sage Center.

Oct

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Work Session: October 21, 2026

Work session of the Morrow County Commission on managing noxious-weed responsibilities for large energy projects and options to strengthen enforcement and staffing (reason: weed district discussion).

Discussion Points

•$16/acre pilot fee confirmed; staff used a spreadsheet to derive the amount.
•Acreage examples: Passage (758 acres), Wagon Wheel (~7,300 acres), Creek Ridge (~2,500 acres) inform projection of fee revenue.
•Board discussed tools: fines, notices and county abatement to enforce compliance.
•Contract revenue for one employee about $57,000 last year; equipment purchases (~$60,000) funded from contract income.
•County drones currently configured for 'witness' photography; large acreage coverage would require many flights and airspace permissions.
•Multispectral imaging can be trained to detect plant signatures; Esri extensions and multispectral cameras are options.
•Options floated: compliance officer in planning, energy compliance specialist in weed department, or change job description and hire FTEs funded by fee or SIP piloting.
•Reprogramming contract staff to compliance would reduce contract revenue and shift workload; increasing rates or having road department hire staff were proposed alternatives.
•Sweeney reported failures on permitted sites that have required county correction.
•Sweeney reported third‑party permit oversight failures on energy projects and urged more county capacity for compliance.

Directions

•Staff to collect documentation on out‑of‑compliance sites and return with enforcement options.
•Staff to evaluate targeted surveys for solar areas, cost of scout drones and contracting drone pilots, and FAA/airspace constraints.
•Staff to prepare finance analysis on current contract rates, true loaded hourly rates and options for reprogramming staff versus raising charges.
•Staff to work with finance on allowable fee/charge structure under ORS and return with cost estimates and timeline for hiring or reprogramming positions.
•Staff to work with finance to validate fee structure and return spreadsheet evidence.

Oct

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: October 7, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners covered department reports, adopted a supplemental FY 2026–27 budget adding about $2.4 million (including an impacts grant), approved a courthouse solar change order, ratified a victim-services contract, set a special meeting on a pilot agreement with Bassam Solar, and approved a letter of intent to lease with ACE Solutions after executive session.

Discussion Points

•Airport PAPI reconstruction completed Phase 1; runway temporary closure.
•Board action authorized execution of a letter of intent with ACE Solutions subject to legal review.
•Clarified contingency is adequate across operating funds at present.
•Contracting‑policy violation discovered in CAMI‑funded payments; some invoices paid beginning 07/01/2025.
•Energy projects increasing compliance workload; consider staff changes/dedicated oversight.
•Executive session covered labor negotiations and real‑property negotiations (ORS citations provided).
•Finance staff recommended mandatory two‑person bank verification and updated policy language to mitigate fraud risk.
•Interim coverage options (governor appointment; DOJ Criminal Justice Division oversight).
•Justin Nelson's pending judicial appointment and timing.
•Need for a special session to review updated pilot terms and timing constraints from project representative.
•Need to capture grants and change orders in the FY 26‑27 budget.
•Need to strengthen procurement controls and use ERP contracting modules to prevent recurrence.
•Options included negation, cancellation or ratification; staff recommended ratification to preserve victim services.
•Proposal to expand panel count and scope to meet the requirement without increasing total project cost.
•Proposal to remove ACH daily limits to permit high‑value vendor payments electronically.
•Public‑health summary of clinics and well testing, staffing vacancy and intern support.
•Quantitative counts: >100 flu shots, 1,000 households canvassed, ~100 samples, 330 wells >10 mg/L nitrate, 347 households receiving deliveries, ~196 RO filters installed.
•Second reading by title and board questions before adoption.
•Staff continuity and the role of deputy staff in case management.
•State 1.5% on‑site green energy requirement and architect vs. bid variance.
•Status of road striping, shoulder rock and fall blading.

Decisions

•Adopt ORD‑2026‑10 as presented.
•Adopt R‑2026‑17 to make required appropriations and establish the impacts fund.
•Approve change order No. 001 for $122,052.
•Approve letter of intent to lease with ACE Solutions v v 2 LLC and authorize county administrator to sign upon counsel review.
•Ratify the Mount Emily contract for $66,590.53 and direct staff to bring supplemental budget adjustments.
•Special meeting scheduled for Oct. 9 at 2:00 PM.

Directions

•Authorize county administrator to sign; staff to file change order and adjust reporting for state reimbursement.
•Board asked staff to continue monitoring for additional change orders and report back if needed.
•Consider having a BOC member sit in early on developer conversations regarding road use.
•County administrator to obtain legal review and execute letter of intent; return final agreements to board as needed.
•Ratify contract to preserve services; stop payments until clarified; finance and county administrator to bring supplemental budget adjustments and implement control changes.
•Schedule and publicize special meeting for Friday at 2 PM; staff to circulate updated proposal and Zoom link.
•Staff to complete required notice/filings for county file EC‑168‑26.
•Staff to follow up with commissioners on retest cadence and eligibility rules for water deliveries.
•Staff to forward governor’s posting/apparent applicants to the board when available.
•Treasurer to return with a formal updated banking and cash‑handling policy and list of authorized signers at the next meeting.

Oct

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Work Session: October 7, 2026

Morrow County commissioners held a work session to review a draft ordinance to permit ATV/UTV access on selected county roads to connect several county parks and improve recreational tourism; staff reported about 130 miles currently open and up to ~150 miles if additional connections are allowed, and commissioners asked staff to develop defensible standards, consult the sheriff and ODOT, and pursue signage grants.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners asked for selection standards tied to safety, connectivity and priority areas.
•Commissioners emphasized outreach to adjacent property owners and clear selection standards.
•Commissioners suggested pursuing OPRD and TLT grant programs.
•Engineer drafting safety plan; staff proposes 30 mph posted limit for ATV use on designated roads.
•Estimated signage costs could be upwards of $25,000.
•Mayor described city ordinance readiness and local support.
•Mayor requested county consider opening specific red-lined roads to allow ODOT to consider short highway access.
•Residents note roads are already used informally and that formal designation would clarify lawful use.
•Safety concerns about higher-speed paved roads and mixed traffic.
•Staff proposed opening designated county roads to ATV/UTV use to connect parks and expand recreational mileage.
•Staff to consult sheriff, ODOT, and City of Heppner and return with recommended routes and cost estimates.

Directions

•Staff to consult ODOT and bring back options.
•Staff to consult the sheriff’s office and incorporate findings into route recommendations.
•Staff to consult the sheriff’s office, ODOT and City of Heppner; develop defensible selection criteria; seek signage grant opportunities; return with a proposed route list and estimates.
•Staff to pursue grant opportunities and return with costed route proposals.
•Staff to reach out to property owners, user groups and agencies prior to implementation.

Oct

Capital Improvement Project Committee Meeting: September 17, 2026

Morrow County Capital Improvement Plan advisory committee held a kickoff meeting to review the adopted five-year CIP, update status of FY27 projects, and assign follow-up tasks including engineer estimates and outreach to fair and public-safety stakeholders.

Discussion Points

•Coordinate outreach with fairboard and other departments
•Decide whether to use Keller or Parks-provided engineering firm for estimates
•Engineering funds available for Heritage Trail
•Feasibility of new parking on hillside
•Need to demonstrate grant-management capacity to OPR
•Need to include the project in the county plan for grant competitiveness
•Need to review sites and determine space needs
•Potential for grant-funded wildfire training center
•Potential purchase of roll-off truck and containers
•Potential trade-offs with other grant eligibility
•Requirement the facility not be on federal ground
•Review adopted five-year CIP and FY27 projects
•Stadium stabilization and ADA path construction timing
•State regulatory constraints on county-haul operations
•Study funding already in CIP ($45,000)
•Whether in-house hauling could reduce transport fees
•Whether to reallocate funds from dorm building to exhibit hall improvements

Decisions

•Keep feasibility study on CIP
•Keep heritage-trail engineering funds in CIP and pursue grants cautiously
•Keep projects on CIP and reassess allocations across FY27–FY28
•Keep the item on the CIP for grant-pursuit purposes
•Next meeting scheduled for Oct. 1 at 1:00 p.m. (subject to confirmation)
•No purchase decision; further analysis requested

Directions

•Add the training-center concept to planning materials
•Chair and Vince to meet with Shelby and fairboard for design priorities
•Chair to email CIP documents to committee members
•Chair to follow up with sheriff and report back
•Chair to pursue engineering estimates and RFP timelines
•Chair to report back at next meeting
•Conduct cost-effectiveness analysis and check state rules
•Reconvene Oct. 1 (1:00 p.m.) to review updates
•Staff to weigh feasibility before applications
•Support grant-writing and land-identification efforts if pursued
•Vince to lead grant exploration and check OPR rules

Sep

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: September 16, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting covering department reports, a tourism update, several business items including a pilot solar tax agreement (tabled), an update and authorization for an industrial data center public meeting with Amazon, adoption of a transient lodging tax ordinance, a $300,000 grant to a rural fire district for wildfire equipment, and a contract approval for community mental health services. The board entered executive session on a property negotiation and later directed foreclosure steps for the Z CAM property.

Discussion Points

•Appropriate funding source (SIP vs carryover)
•Appropriate tax rate and allocation split (70/30)
•CCS has operated while contract pending
•Conflict‑of‑interest disclosure by a commissioner who sits on related board
•Contract form and cyber‑insurance/indemnity concerns
•Contract invoicing and remittance language on page 10
•Coordination with DLCD and law enforcement for protest area
•Details on a river recovery and volunteer dive-team assistance
•Marketing assets and Travel Oregon grant accessibility work
•Original request and agenda typo (400k vs 300k)
•Staffing and K‑9 program replacement
•Timing and staffing for Amazon/AWS public meeting
•Urgency and why not previously budgeted
•Whether battery storage is part of the pilot (staff/counsel: not included)
•Whether county should fund a taxing district
•Whether local tax breaks are excessive given federal incentives
•Whether to issue separate RFP for full update
•Whether to put the tax measure before county voters

Decisions

•Authorize event planning; staff to return with details
•Contract approved as amended
•Grant approved; staff to return with budget details
•Motion to table passed; item to return in October with staff analysis
•Ordinance adopted; effective 01/01/2027
•Task order approved; budget adjustments to be determined

Directions

•Adopt ordinance with scrivener's corrections; staff to coordinate implementation with Department of Revenue
•Amend payment language and approve contract as amended
•Consider explicit clause excluding battery storage or requiring separate approval
•Coordinate booths covering zoning, tax abatement and planning information
•Prepare supplemental budget adjustments; consider equity fund loan committee viability
•Proceed to finalize date and event logistics
•Proceed with scoping task order; staff to report back with defined scope and budget options
•Staff to prepare fiscal analysis and draft counteroffer language

Sep

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Work Session: September 16, 2026

Morrow County commissioners held a virtual work session to review a draft county policy on the use of artificial intelligence, focusing on accuracy risks, data classification, records retention, procurement and training; they agreed to a follow-up work session to finalize the policy.

Discussion Points

•Differences between embedded AI (Zoom/OpenGov) and standalone generative AI (ChatGPT/OpenAI).
•Distinction between IT providing access and legal/records offices authorizing release.
•Enterprise procurement and account controls can mitigate shadow AI risks.
•Need for documented procedures to prevent arbitrary denials.
•Need to control usage-based cost and set departmental budgets.
•Need to manage accuracy risks and data exposure; many employees already using AI.
•Records-retention and public-records implications for AI logs, including potential subpoenas.
•Shadow AI is widespread and reduces county visibility into data.
•Standardizing on Copilot vs. procuring standalone generative AI.
•Training should be tracked and recurring; human review required for AI outputs.
•Vendors often offer platform-specific training which could be integrated.
•Whether AI interactions are public records and how retention works.
•Who legally authorizes release and what the records-review process should be.

Decisions

•Agreement to hold another work session; no formal adoption or procurement decisions made.

Directions

•IT to finish operations manual and include an authority ladder involving county attorney and records clerk.
•Schedule a follow-up work session to review updated policy and training plan.
•Staff to consult county attorney and records clerk and present a documented approval ladder.
•Staff to consult sheriff's office about CJIS access and exceptions; staff to add legal review and records-release ladder.
•Staff to develop a training plan with HR and return with schedule and tracking metrics.
•Staff to prepare pilot scopes, vendor comparisons and cost-control proposals.
•Staff to recommend enterprise-account procurement and communication/training measures.

Sep

Morrow County Clean Water Consortium Meeting: September 8, 2026

At a North County Clean Water Consortium meeting in Morrow County, residents urged improved interpretation services and raised ongoing nitrate contamination concerns; two private vendors presented home- and household-scale water solutions and the board adopted advisory-board duties and a social-media policy while agreeing to further research pilot options.

Discussion Points

•Air2O presented off‑grid units that extract water from air and can operate at low humidity
•Board asked for output figures, testing and cost information
•Board prefers factual one‑way postings to limit rumor and moderation burdens
•Board raised wastewater disposal and regulatory compliance concerns
•Clarify advisory duties and separate bullets for promoting events vs sharing facts
•Company said devices require low maintenance and no replaceable filters
•Prefer language that advisory members share consortium‑provided factual information
•Residents asked for certified interpretation at meetings
•Residents asked the consortium to stop pollution and involve them in decision making
•Residents requested consideration of settlement funds to help water bills
•RFQ closes at end of month; staff to provide scoring materials
•RFQ scope revised with GSI input and reposted
•Staffing and moderation costs make open comments impractical
•Vendor offered two units for a pilot and suggested retesting every six months
•Vendor proposed a whole‑house system using deionized resin and RO

Decisions

•Consent agenda approved by voice vote
•Document adopted; staff to post and proceed with appointment process
•Resolution adopted; staff to develop posting plan

Directions

•Adopt document with Tamara's edits; post to website; use questionnaire to vet applicants
•Adopt resolution 26‑06 and implement as a one‑way information channel
•Board members to review materials when provided and score proposals before next meeting
•Staff to compile questions and options and report back at future meeting
•Staff to compile technical/regulatory questions for vendors and agencies (DEQ, county environmental health)
•Staff to gather additional technical specifications, cost estimates and pilot possibilities
•Staff to prepare cost comparisons with municipal alternatives

Sep

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Work Session: September 2, 2026

Morrow County commissioners and project consultants reviewed a draft drinking-water roadmap addressing nitrate in groundwater, discussed costed options (municipal connection, community systems, cisterns), community preferences for independent solutions, and next steps for implementation and funding coordination with the Clean Water Consortium and state partners.

Discussion Points

•Average municipal-connection capital ~ $30M per system; per-home capital ~ $120K in concepts presented.
•Bottled-water delivery and point-of-use treatment are currently providing interim relief.
•Consultants caution that free delivery influences survey responses and reduces motivation for longer-term investments.
•Cost estimates assume grant-funded capital in some scenarios, affecting monthly bill assumptions.
•County capacity limits and risk of political entanglement if the county assumed full responsibility.
•Importance of keeping state and federal partners engaged for funding and program support.
•Non-municipal community systems estimated ~ $2.5M (10-home concept) and cistern/pipe delivery ~ $50K (2–3 homes).
•Presentation of roadmap goals, options and focus areas; survey feedback showing resident preference for independent solutions; costs and phasing for municipal and community options; constraints around funding and governance.
•Reference to judge-managed settlement funds that may provide significant resources but are pending administration and judicial direction.
•Survey results indicated cost concerns, desire for independence, and support for home-treatment and bottled-water delivery.
•Transition timing needs to be planned explicitly so staff, haulers and residents can prepare.
•Whether to create a new drinking-water board or let Clean Water Consortium (CWC) and county share roles; need for county-specific outreach materials; transition planning for bottled-water deliveries.
•Whether to form a new drinking-water board or use the existing Clean Water Consortium (CWC).

Decisions

•Board leaned toward acknowledging completion rather than adopting the plan; no formal vote recorded during the session.

Directions

•Add a 'transition' implementation task to define when and how bottled-water deliveries will be phased out and how staff and vendors will be affected; include resident education components.
•Add a 'transition' line item to the implementation tasks addressing when interim bottled-water deliveries will end and how to handle staff/service transitions.
•Clarify what county administrative support (fiscal/legal) would be available without dragging all costs onto the county budget.
•Consultants to present county-specific cost scenarios and phasing options for outreach materials.
•Develop simplified, area-specific outreach materials and return with neighborhood-level feedback before firm project recommendations.
•Prepare distinct implementation tables for Morrow County and Umatilla County that specify roles, including CWC's potential lead role.
•Staff to prepare a draft acknowledgment motion and certificates of appreciation; produce county-specific summary materials and tailored PowerPoint; circulate final report to state and federal delegation.
•Staff to research administration mechanics for settlement funds and potential eligibility pathways for county projects; include settlement funds in future funding scenarios only after administration is confirmed.

Sep

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: September 2, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting that included department reports, presentations from Community Counseling Solutions, a land‑use public hearing on the Kilkenny Rock Quarry, approval of multiple intergovernmental agreements including sheriff services, first reading of a proposed transient lodging tax ordinance, and planning for a public information meeting on potential industrial/data‑center development.

Discussion Points

•Applicant argued local supply would reduce haul distances for the proposed Heffner Wind Farm.
•AWS and DLCD invited to participate; county seeks to make event informational with one‑on‑one expert stations.
•CCS contract expired in December and draft contract requires detailed invoices that may not fit pass‑through service billing.
•CCS plans to close two five‑bed residential programs on Nov. 1 and adjust other programs to maintain capacity.
•City requested a one‑year contract rather than two years; county budgeted to be reimbursed approximately $44,000 for a vehicle; uncertainty whether the city will reimburse if contract term shortened.
•Collection mechanism: state collects; hosting platforms must register or use hosting agencies.
•Commissioners suggested pausing the vehicle purchase until reimbursement is clarified.
•Planning Commission recommended approval after additional review; staff cited >500,000 ton capacity and ODOT spec compliance.
•Plan to host multi‑station open house covering zoning, rezoning process, tax incentives, and AWS technical topics.
•Projected revenue: $100k–$200k annually depending on occupancy.
•Regional FTE funded by grant; county share is part of cost allocation with other counties; position contingent on grant renewal.
•Title change aims to clarify duties and improve recruitment; no pay/grade change.

Decisions

•Approved the one‑year sheriff services agreement; vehicle purchase decision deferred pending reimbursement clarification.
•Board approved establishing the grant‑funded FTE and the title change by voice vote.
•Board asked staff to return with a finalized plan and dates; no formal vote required now.
•Board signaled intent to continue services and requested the contract be brought back for discussion on Sept. 16.
•Board voted to approve the comprehensive plan amendment and directed first reading of ORD‑2026‑10.
•First reading by title only approved; motion to refer to voters was not seconded and failed procedurally.

Directions

•County staff to provide contract packet and collaborate with CCS and auditors; CCS to work with finance to craft acceptable invoice procedures.
•Finalize IGAs before posting; HR to update job classification records and job announcement.
•Prepare ordinance ORD‑2026‑10 and accompanying findings for adoption.
•Proceed with second reading and public notice processes if board pursues adoption.
•Staff to confirm reimbursement commitment with the City of Heffner and coordinate legal/paperwork; report back to the board.
•Staff to propose firm dates (mid‑to‑late October preferred), venue layout (Sage Center suggested), and protest/logistics plan for board approval on Sept. 16.

Aug

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: August 19, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting with public comment on an Amazon-related traffic and project concerns, department reports (emergency management, sheriff, planning, weed control), a public hearing to legalize part of Immigrant Lane, multiple routine motions and votes (including a Tower Road interchange ordinance and a Tower Road improvement agreement with Amazon), and a planned public outreach process for industrial data-center development.

Discussion Points

•Childers said resigning was difficult and described coordination with the state to allow filings.
•Commissioner disclosed conflict and recused to avoid appearance of impropriety.
•Commissioners asked that outreach be factual, balanced and include opportunities for technical questions and community input.
•Commissioners discussed statutory timelines and state administrative orders for candidate filing.
•Consultant proposed charette/world‑cafe format emphasizing neutral facilitation and mid‑meeting readouts.
•Doherty called on the county to join state agencies opposing grout and to demand vitrification.
•He cited historical technical failures of grout programs in the 1980s–90s.
•Public commenters asked for maps and protections for Oregon Trail ruts and asked for record openness.
•Public works said bids are in hand and recommended the not‑to‑exceed figure.
•Staff described historical surveys and section line evidence supporting a 40‑foot right‑of‑way.
•Tallin alleged written comments were not accepted into the TSP record and asked for procedural safeguards.
•Tallin claimed an Amazon TIA showed about 862 weekly vehicle trips and questioned the county's cost allocation.

Decisions

•Accepted resignation and reappointed Childers through Jan. 4, 2027.
•Adopt OR‑2026‑06 legalizing the portion of Immigrant Lane; public hearing closed.
•Approve road improvement agreement with Amazon Data Services; recusal recorded.
•Motion approved to allow staff to plan with board oversight.
•The board adopted the Tower Road interchange plan (ORD‑2026‑08) and approved a separate road‑improvement agreement with Amazon Data Services (not‑to‑exceed $375,000).

Directions

•Board accepted written testimony into the record and instructed staff to carry forward survey exhibits.
•Public works to proceed with contract procurement and project oversight within the approved budget.
•Staff to confirm receipt and inclusion of Tallin’s written submissions in the official TSP record and to respond to procedural questions.
•Staff to develop the outreach plan and return with final agenda, date, meeting structure, venue and participant list before public announcement.
•Staff to strictly follow state filing rules and document the temporary appointment in accordance with state guidance.

Aug

Morrow County Clean Water Consortium Meeting: August 11, 2026

Morrow County Clean Water Consortium board meeting addressing public comments from Westland residents, approval of financials and investment direction, a disputed RFQ for Boardman Phase One engineering, updates on contaminated wells and the regional drinking-water roadmap, and consideration of a pilot whole-home RO system.

Discussion Points

•Board asked for vendor presentation and technical data
•Board to poll advisory members on time and recruitment
•Bylaw language historically excluded city residents; change gives preference to unincorporated residents
•Caveats: not all identified wells confirmed contaminated; no assessment of individual financial need
•Design to cover pipe routing, meters and house connections for 100–130 homes
•Estimated per-area connection costs (Boardman SDC $22,000 for seven units; Umatilla estimate $430,000 for 23 properties)
•Meyer study gave high-level view; detailed engineering needed
•Need to preserve liquidity for operations
•No commitment to funding or pilot at this meeting
•Options: legal review; disqualify; re-scope and repost by independent engineer
•Options: state LGIP vs. county managed pooled investments
•Petition from Westland United requested meeting-time change and inclusion
•Potential procurement conflict because a person linked to Anderson Perry helped draft the RFQ scope
•Risk of protest if proceeding without changes
•State funds are allocated and must be spent timely
•Vendor claims to have new whole-home RO option to address high nitrate
•Year-end balances and revenue/expenditure summary

Decisions

•Accept financials; authorize managed investments
•Board voted to hold review and repost RFQ
•Design work remains necessary; procurement on hold pending re-scope
•Invite vendor presentation; no pilot commitment
•No funding decision at this meeting
•Resolution 202605 adopted; consensus to try a 6 p.m. meeting start for next meeting

Directions

•Adopt revised bylaws
•Collect technical data, pilot locations and estimated per-household costs
•Continue fact-finding; defer funding and eligibility decisions until contamination confirmation and needs assessment
•File reports in lieu of audit; implement managed pooled investments with liquidity safeguards
•Invite International Pure Water to present at next meeting
•Proceed to design planning; do not award until procurement process is cleared
•Repost procurement with short turnaround and return results at future meeting
•Staff to have independent scope written (port engineer, GSI or other)
•Survey advisory members and try 6 p.m. start at next meeting

Aug

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Land Use Hearing: August 5, 2026

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to adopt the Tower Road Interchange Area Management Plan (IAMP) and create an Interchange Area Management Plan overlay zone (section 3.125) with related zoning and code amendments. Staff and consultants reviewed a 20-year planning horizon, phasing options and cost estimates; the board adopted the plan after public comment and legal advice, and will forward materials to the Oregon Transportation Commission for acceptance.

Discussion Points

•E.4 access approval language and port authorities' ability to approve access to port‑owned roadways.
•How the code raises TIA thresholds for projects that would otherwise avoid full review.
•Public concerns about data centers, water usage and NDAs.
•Request to keep the record open for additional evidence.
•When a construction traffic study is required and how it differs from a full TIA.
•Whether adoption obligates county funding (staff said no; funding to be pursued later).
•Whether construction traffic studies and higher TIA standards will affect small utility projects.
•Whether data centers and confidential infrastructure agreements have been properly disclosed (public commenters asked for disclosures).
•Whether the 30‑day construction trigger would subject small utility projects to unnecessary studies.

Decisions

•Adopt IAMP and overlay zone; record closed and board proceeded to deliberation; motion carried.
•Board declined to keep the record open after legal counsel advised no legal obligation to do so.

Directions

•Apply new Article 3.125 requirements to projects inside the overlay; evaluate streamlined handling of minor projects.
•Clarify code language to avoid inadvertently subjecting small utility projects to burdensome construction TIA requirements; consult with Port of Morrow on E.4 language.
•Implement TSP update to establish proportionate‑share fee system and potential SDC funding mechanisms.
•Staff to finalize IAMP report and submit to Oregon Transportation Commission for acceptance.

Aug

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: August 5, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting covering public comment on a port IGA confidentiality clause, department reports (public works, finance), adoption of a per-megawatt surcharge in the planning fee schedule, consideration of an intergovernmental SIP negotiation IGA with the port, deliberations on a three-year $80,000 commitment to the Soil & Water Conservation District (tabled for cleanup), discussion of an industrial data center outreach session, a county clerk resignation/election timing discussion, and ratification of a $429,844 impacts grant.

Discussion Points

•Clarify surcharge vs fee; potential revenue from large projects; need for cost allocation study or caps.
•Clerk intends to vacate to move office off presidential cycle; statutory references cited for vacancy and candidate filing rules.
•ERP go‑live slip from Oct. 1 to Jan. 1; $20,000 estimated impact; align payroll/taxes to new date.
•Executive session preceded ratification; grant amount and date provided in motion.
•Need for an IGA and potential FTE request if pursued.
•Parcel list for auction, property‑line concern for one parcel, minimum bid language.
•Proposal to pool prevention funding across three counties; model exists in Central Oregon.
•Proposed $80,000/year for three years; need to clarify advance vs invoice reimbursement; restrictions on retained funds; recommendation to make advance payments to reduce admin burden.
•Purpose of IGA to streamline SIP negotiations; confidentiality language and use of statutory exemptions; committee composition; timing and effect on ongoing negotiations before July 1.
•Sheriff conducts auction following statutory notice.

Decisions

•Amend fee schedule to clarify charge as surcharge; vote carried.
•Board expressed support for continued pursuit; no motion taken.
•Delay go‑live to Jan. 1 and use contingency to cover estimated impact.
•Grant ratified.
•IGA adopted.
•No immediate acceptance of resignation; further legal review requested.
•Order 2026‑03 approved with amendment.
•Table the IGA pending revision.

Directions

•County legal to confirm process and prepare necessary resignation/appointment forms; staff to advise clerk on timeline.
•Finance to prioritize resources and report progress to commissioners.
•Implement coordinating committee; use statutory exemptions only as appropriate; return with any project agreements for public hearing.
•Planning staff to share spreadsheet and consider cost allocation study or cap options.
•Public health to pursue discussions and report back with a formal recommendation and draft IGA or staffing plan.
•Set minimum bid to taxes owed; staff to update resolution language and submit to sheriff.
•Staff to clean up draft to specify payment method and quarterly reporting; return to board for action.
•Staff to implement grant per agreement and reporting rules.

Aug

Morrow County Clean Water Consortium Meeting: July 14, 2026

Board discussed options to bring Boardman-provided water to the West Glen area, outreach results from 18 households, a state SEP funds transfer of $581,640 (authorized by motion), the RFQ for design services, and routine board housekeeping including a vacant-seat appointment by the port commission.

Discussion Points

•Appointment expected at port commission meeting on August 3
•Boardman’s two options: wholesale supply (spigot) vs. annexation
•Early outreach results (18 households contacted; 17 positive responses)
•Importance of naming alternates
•RFQ posted and closing date
•Source and amount of the funds ($581,640) and budgeting for them
•Timeline for selecting most qualified firm in August
•Umatilla example as a phased annexation model
•Use of Spanish-speaking support for technical translation
•Vacant seat procedure under the consortium agreement
•Whether legal counsel should review the state-provided agreement
•Whether the consortium should change its mission to provide service outside city limits

Decisions

•Motion carried to authorize execution of the SEP funds transfer agreement.

Directions

•Authorize staff to sign and execute the agreement; staff to confirm final execution and report back
•Board to review submissions at August meeting and select consultant
•Continue outreach and revisit households as new information becomes available
•Staff to follow up on appointment and alternates
•Staff to gather more information and report back by next meeting or by September

Jul

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Special Session: July 22, 2026

Special session of the Morrow County Board of Commissioners covering fair staffing and contractor exceptions, a planned public listening session on industrial/data center development, donations for fairground improvements, rural schools payments allocation, and an executive session on real property negotiations.

Discussion Points

•Chair announced executive session to discuss real property negotiations under ORS 192.660(2)(b).
•Commissioner Kevin noted he had limited preparation but supported proceeding.
•Commissioners approved waiver and requested staff to review policy after the fair.
•Commissioners asked about budget neutrality and duration.
•Commissioners asked about tax exemptions and the session’s goals and ROI.
•Media representatives were allowed limited attendance and directed not to report deliberations.
•Multiple projects proposed for fairgrounds including sheep/goat barn improvements, sheep show ring expansion and beef wash rack expansion.
•Planning and DEQ permit issues and floodplain checks must be resolved before county acceptance.
•Staff explained original motion language limited hires to administrative assistance and requested amendment to allow temporary fair management.
•Staff proposed a Sept. 3 charrette and panel to discuss industrial and data center siting and planning.
•Staff proposed one-year waiver for small performers and one-off vendors while keeping food vendors insured.
•Staff recommended continuing the historical distribution for Secure Rural Schools payments.

Decisions

•Board conditionally accepted donation package, contingent on permits and Fair Board sign-off.
•Motion approved by voice vote.
•Motion to amend hiring-exemption approved by voice vote.
•No open-session decisions announced following executive session.
•Proceed with planning for a public listening session; staff to report back.

Directions

•Donors to provide engineered drawings, permit applications and Fair Board vote; planning staff to verify DEQ/NPDES requirements.
•Staff to finalize participants, facilitator, outreach and return with a budgetary/participant report by the August meeting.
•Staff to implement distribution and adjust budget if actual payment differs.
•Staff to implement hiring exemption and monitor budget impacts.
•Staff to implement waiver for this fair year and return with policy recommendations post-fair.
•Staff to return documentation for formal acceptance and budget recording.

Jul

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: July 15, 2026

The Morrow County Board of Commissioners met to receive department updates, approve an ODOT-funded transportation system plan update, discuss juvenile detention bed costs, review workers' compensation trends and authorize interim fair staffing after the fair manager resigned.

Discussion Points

•56% of reported claims originate from law enforcement classifications.
•County has a contract with Walla Walla Detention at about $165/day and receives state funds and a grant to cover detention beds.
•Experience mod increased from 0.88 to 1.04; projection of 1.12 next year.
•Interim hire recommended as administrative assistant rather than full fair manager; budget uses existing open position funds.
•Multiple renewable applications including Sunstone Solar (purchased by AWS) require coordinated review.
•Norcore rate increase from $210 to $250/day effective Aug. 1.
•Pacific Core transmission line requires six months of public outreach by statute before application submission.
•Proposed quarterly risk report and a liaison between safety committee and board.
•Staff proposed hiring a planning firm of record to help with workload and noted a possible US Navy grant to reimburse consultant review.
•The county\u0019s fiscal match is in-kind staff time ($36,000) and ODOT will manage consultant finances.
•Urgent staffing need due to fair manager resignation with fair ~5 weeks away.
•Whether emailed public comments were germane to the IGA review and where public input should be lodged.

Decisions

•Board approved exception to hiring process and authorized interim hire.
•IGA approved; staff to proceed with consultant work.
•No formal land-use approvals made at this meeting; staff to continue reviews and schedule hearings.
•No formal policy or placement change adopted; staff to continue using funds and assess options.
•No formal policy vote; staff directed to continue developing training and reporting.

Directions

•Authorize county administrator to hire interim fair assistance.
•Consultant to produce scope and begin data analysis and outreach.
•County administrator authorized to sign IGA.
•Ensure role restrictions if candidate is a minor (no hazardous duties or driving).
•Explore contracting planning support and reimbursement agreements where applicants pay for consultant review.
•Provide employee tenure and claims comparison data requested by commissioners.
•Staff to complete completeness review and schedule hearings (Sept. tentative for some projects; Tower Road interchange plan Aug. 5).
•Staff to provide follow-up quarterly risk reports and to work with HR on training and new-hire orientation.

Jul

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Work Session: July 1, 2026

Discussion of roughly 20 pre-2023 tax-foreclosed parcels and direction to staff to pursue a mix of transfers to adjacent owners or cities and sheriff-run auctions; staff will prepare orders and follow up with affected cities and neighbors.

Discussion Points

•Operational concerns: weed/maintenance liability, environmental cleanup for older gas station site, costs for survey and auction fees.
•Parcel-specific treatment recommendations: retain some as road right-of-way, deed small slivers to adjacent owners, offer some parcels to nearby cities for public use, send several parcels to sheriff-run auction.
•Review of roughly 20 tax-foreclosed parcels acquired prior to 2023; legal uncertainty due to new state rules and U.S. Supreme Court case referenced.

Decisions

•Proceed by consensus; staff to implement the directions above and return with an order and timeline. No formal vote taken.

Directions

•Staff to contact the cities of Heppner and Ione to confirm interest and intended public use for flagged parcels.
•Staff to prepare an ordered list of properties recommended for sheriff-run auction, calculate starting bids and recoverable costs, and prepare a formal order for the commission to adopt.
•Staff to reach out to adjacent landowners to offer deed transfers on low-value slivers and confirm willingness to pay recording/transaction costs.

Jul

Morrow County Board of Commissioners Meeting: July 1, 2026

Morrow County Board of Commissioners met for routine business including public works and public health updates, approval of a rock-crushing contract amendment, vacating a segment of Spur Loop Road, setting a public hearing on road legalization, and a required public discussion about relocating the state border.

Discussion Points

•Commissioners asked to be involved early in Boardman court annex negotiations and wanted meetings with court stakeholders before any long‑term commitments.
•Commissioners noted a Wawa County citizen initiative had recently passed to stop similar meetings there.
•Commissioners raised desire to have legal signatures on documents before final recording of some items.
•Partnership with Morrow County Health District enables vaccines at the clinic because the district cannot enroll in VFC at present.
•Presenter described ongoing petitioning of the federal administration and regional coordination among counties interested in border relocation.
•Program metrics: 332 residents on water delivery and 133 filtration systems installed; 17 families served by safety‑closet referrals.
•Staff explained that crushing was accepted in‑kind from a landowner and that a change order was needed to match that arrangement.
•Survey results presented and a public hearing date proposed for August; monuments and recording to follow.

Decisions

•Approve contract amendment; vacate Spur Loop segment.
•No county action taken; discussion fulfilled ballot requirement.
•No formal board action; update accepted for the record.
•Public hearing date set; special work session planned for July 22 for outreach planning.

Directions

•County staff to schedule the public hearing notice and return with outreach plans; staff to meet with sheriff, DA and judges to determine space utilization needs.
•County staff to secure required legal signoffs for documents to be recorded.
•Public health will coordinate with the county communications contractor to develop summer public‑safety messaging (heat safety, car‑seat reminders).
•Public Works will record the road vacation and process the contract amendment paperwork; finance will process the procurement amendment.

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