Pursuant to notice made to the newspaper of general circulation throughout Grant County, the radio station in Grant County, and to interested persons on the Grant County e-mail list, a regular meeting of the County Court was held at the County Courthouse in Canyon City OR.

9:28 am — Called to Order. Present were Judge Mark R. Webb and Commissioners Scott W. Myers and Boyd Britton, Secretary Mary Ferrioli and Treasurer Kathy Smith. The Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag.

PROGRAM. MSP: Webb/Myers – that we accept the program as presented.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Myers planned to attend the Commission on Children & Families board meeting January 8th at 5:30 pm at the School District board room.

Webb reviewed discussion at the Department Head meeting at 8:00 am this morning about a court memo to all employees on existing claims and Central Supply policies not being followed by some departments. Treasurer Kathy Smith reported on input received about a Safety Committee proposal to supply departments with a defibrillator.

Webb reported that Harney County is in the same position now as Grant County regarding the need to start from the beginning to develop an Emergency Management Services program. He added that Dena Bush would finish work on the safety program but does not have time for EMS.

9:45 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister entered.

MINUTES. MSP: Myers/Britton — to approve the December 19 Minutes with changes.

AUDITOR’S REPORT. The court accepted the Grant County and Grant County Extension & 4-H Service District Independent Auditor’s Reports for the year ended June 30, 2007. Treasurer Kathy Smith provided auditor’s forms for signature by the County Judge and Treasurer. Findings and issues in the management letter would be resolved in the future by formulation of a correction plan for effected departments. Then the resolution would be brought to the court for approval. MSP: Myers/Britton – that Judge Webb be authorized to sign the audit papers as presented.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE. The court considered public health nurse Marsha Delaney’s letter of resignation from her position at the Health Department effective January 25, 2008. Discussion followed about implementation of the advertising process. MSP: Britton/Webb – that we accept the resignation of Marsha Delaney. Webb reported that grant consultant Sue Newstetter would address options for the Dental Clinic and School-Based Health Center grants based on the Public Health Admin/Nurse Practitioner and Public Health Nurse resignations.

AOC DUES. Court members considered Association of Oregon Counties annual dues for 2008 totaling $13,034.09 for AOC General Fund, Public Lands Fund, Video Lottery Defense Fund and PERS Alliance Assessment. MSP: Webb/Myers – that we approve the AOC invoice for annual dues.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. The court considered applications from volunteers to serve on the following boards and committees:

Airport Commission. MSP: Webb/Myers — that Cheryl Berry and Barbara Smith be reappointed to a two year term on the Airport Commission.

Budget Committee. MSP: Webb/Myers — to accept Beth Simonson’s resignation from the Budget Committee. Myers planned to contact a potential volunteer to serve on this committee.

Center for Human Development Advisory Board. MSP: Myers/Webb — that Yolanda Rommel and Zane Cooper be re-appointed to a position expiring December 31, 2010 on the Center for Human

Development Advisory Board.

College Advisory Board. MSP: Britton/Myers — to reappoint Paul Smith to the College Advisory position expiring December 31, 2010.

Commission on Children & Families. MSP: Webb/Myers — that Lincoln Mosier, Savannah Kowing and Charles McNeil be reappointed to a one year term with the Commission on Children & Families. MSP: Webb/Myers — to reappoint Roseann Palmer and Mary Lou Welby and Scott Myers to another four year term on the Commission.

Compensation Board. MSP: Britton/Myers — that Irene Jerome be reappointed to a three year term on the Compensation Board.

Extension & 4H Service District Advisory Council. MSP: Webb/Myers — to reappoint Reiba Carter Smith and Maria Thomas to a three year term on the Advisory Council.

Fair Board. MSP: Myers/Webb– that we reappoint Carolyn Mullin, Sharon Livingston and Larry Pierce to a three year term on the Fair Board.

Planning Commission. MSP: Webb/Myers — to reappoint Ron Burnett and Rod Kuhn to a four year term on the Planning Commission.

Southeast Regional Alliance Board. MSP: Webb/Myers — that we reappoint Peggy Gray to a three year term on the Southeast Regional Alliance Board.

Wildlife Advisory Board. MSP: Webb/Britton — to reappoint Mike Kilpatrick to a three term on the Wildlife Advisory Board.

10:30 am – Bill Harrington entered.

MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS. Center for Human Development Director Bill Harrington and the court reviewed and discussed continuation of a four 10-hour work schedule for Patti Wright, Kathleen Beliveau and Maxine Day, in effect for the past 90 days. Harrington felt the schedule had no negative effect on the clinic’s ability to operate. Benefits were identified as additional respite and personal time for those employees and availability of expanded service hours for clients during early morning and early evening hours. Harrington distributed his written response to Webb’s previous questions about the schedule’s effect on productivity. He explained that productivity is measured based on billed hours versus time worked with the 50-50 goal established by Greater Oregon Behavioral Health Inc. (GOBHI). Harrington said data shows a small productivity decrease, but over the past two years a previous 30-32% productivity rate has been slowly increased to 60%. He added that rates are averaged because productivity can significantly fluctuate on a monthly basis. Harrington reported that 10-20% of his time is spent in direct service. Webb noted that, according to figures Harrington presented, productivity actually decreased during the clinician’s schedule change. Webb sought to clarify productivity comparisons listed in the data associated with staffing levels and schedule change to expand regular hours. Myers asked if the amount of billable time would change with the 10-hour schedule. Harrington said it would not. He explained some challenges with managing on-call time with the 10-hour schedule. Harrington stated that four non-effected employees have not expressed significant concern with the schedule, or any interest in changing their schedules. He said a funding increase wouldn’t be coming from GOBHI next year due to a reduction in Oregon Health Plan clients. But, he has advocated at the state level for additional funding to support another therapist and a Residential Treatment Facility. Harrington cited benefits with the part time Case Manager, funded with dollars received from the Eastern Oregon Human Service Consortium. Harrington was asked to provide a draft letter to the state in support of increased funding. The court was interested in continuing the trial for further tracking of activity to satisfy the desire to see an overall increase in productivity. MSP: Britton/ Myers — to allow Mr. Harrington to continue the 10-hour schedule for six months with the caveat of discontinuing if it is not going well.

11:20 am – Kerryann Woomer entered.

PREVENTION PROGRAM CONFERENCE. Prevention Program Manager Kerryann Woomer reported that no local board or coalition member is interested or able to attend the Annual Anti-Drug Coalitions National Conference February 11-15, 2008 in Washington DC. Therefore, Woomer asked the court to allow two youth involved in the PEP program to attend the Youth Leadership track of the conference. She explained that the youths’ parents fully support the trip. Woomer addressed conference rates and liability waivers and said the necessary funds are available within the budget. MSP: Myers/Webb — that prior approved attendance at the CADCA Conference be amended to accommodate a second youth participant.

RURAL HEALTH CLINIC. The court accepted a phone call from representatives of Oregon Health Division, Joel Young and Dr. Nancy Abrahams. Discussion followed about the county’s Rural Health Clinic (RHC) status based on recent resignations by the Public Health Administrator / Nurse Practitioner and Public Health Nurse. It was suggested that contact be made as soon as possible with the Office of Rural Health to assist with future planning and recruitment. Existing salary challenges, possible loss of the county’s RHC status, and turning over public health services to the state would need to be addressed in the near future.

11:55 pm — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary