IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE STATE OF OREGON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF GRANT

Access the court’s weekly Agenda and approved Minutes on the Commissioner’s page at www.gcoregonlive2.com.

DECEMBER 31, 2014

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

9:00 am — Call to Order. Present were Judge Scott W. Myers, Commissioners Chris B. Labhart and Boyd Britton, and Secretary Mary Ferrioli. A Pledge of Allegiance was given to the United States flag. The invocation was given by Commissioner Britton.

AGENDA. MSP Myers/Labhart — to accept the agenda as presented

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Labhart attended an employee appreciation ceremony at Blue Mountain Hospital this Monday and had lunch with the seniors last Thursday.

First thing January 5, 2015 Myers will swear in Clerk Brenda Percy. She will then swear in other newly elected officials in Circuit Court at 8:30 am. Myers will travel to Burns with Planning Secretary Shannon Springer that morning to meet with Harney County Judge Steve Grasty to discuss operating a joint building codes inspection program under Oregon Building Codes Division.

9:15 am – News Reporter Scotta Callister entered

MINUTES. MSP: Britton/Myers– to approve the December 24 minutes as corrected

JP PRO-TEM. The court reviewed and signed Resolution 14-45 Appointing Jamie K. McKay as Justice of the Peace Pro-Tem and Resolution 14-46 Appointing Riccola J. Voigt as Alternate Justice of the Peace Pro-Tem as requested by Justice of the Peace Kathy Stinnett. MSP: Myers/Britton — to sign Resolution 14-45 and Resolution 14-46 as presented.

HAND CHECKS. The court reviewed and approved hand checks to the Oregon Secretary of State for the Grant County audit fee of $300.00 and Extension & 4H Service District audit fee of $40.00. At the DA’s request the court reviewed and approved a hand check to Ada County ID for an $8.00 fee for records of prior convictions in the State v. Wallace Brown case. MSP: Myers/Labhart — to approve hand checks to the Oregon Secretary of State and Ada County ID as presented.

FINANCIAL AUDIT. The court accepted Oster Professional Group CPAs 2013-2014 financial records audit for Grant County and the Extension & 4H Service District. MSP: Britton/Myers — to accept Oster Professional Group CPAs 2013-2014 financial records audit for Grant County and the Extension & 4H Service District.

9:25 am – Jim Sproul entered

OJD ELEVATOR AGREEMENT. The court reviewed and signed a Courthouse Improvement Elevator IGA with the Oregon Judicial Department that runs until June 30, 2016 or project completion. OJD has agreed to provide at least $150,000.00 from the OJD 2013-2015 budget for the capital improvement to the Courthouse. The county will be required to initiate and complete a procurement process by June 1, 2015 and then provide periodic progress reports to the Trial Court Administrator and State Court Administrator. Myers met with Circuit Court Administrator Tammy Wheeler yesterday afternoon to discuss the MOA. There was no concern about contract language, but Myers had clarified with Wheeler standard procedure for naming OJD as additionally insured on the Contractor’s insurance. MSP: Britton/Myers — to authorize Judge Myers’ signature on the Courthouse Improvement Elevator IGA with the Oregon Judicial Department

CHAVES CONSULTING. The court reviewed and signed an MOU with Chaves Consulting for W-2 Processing Services that defines the responsibilities of the contractor and the client, Grant County. The fee for each W-2 processed is $2.25 or a minimum fee of $75.00 per year. MSP: Myers/Britton — to authorize Judge Myers’ signature on the MOU with Chaves Consulting for W-2 Processing Services

NEW YEAR’S EVE. Britton suggested that county offices close at 3 pm today since there seems to be very little activity at the Courthouse. No action was taken at this time. See Public Comment on Page 3.

WORK SESSION. As Monument Rural Fire District Board of Trustees, court members held a Special Work Session to develop Findings of Fact and a Plan of Dissolution per ORS 198.925(1) as recommended by legal counsel. The document must be filed with the County Clerk within 30 days of accepting district responsibility (by January 16, 2015). Findings of Fact as discussed today are:

• The amount of each outstanding bond, coupon and other indebtedness, with a general description of the indebtedness and name of the holder and owner of each, if known.

None. Liability insurance for the district with WHA Insurance has been renewed for 2015. The insurance premium amount is unknown at this time and won’t be billed until February.

• A description of each parcel of real property and interest in real property and, if property was acquired for delinquent taxes or assessments, the amount of such taxes or assessments on each parcel of property.

None

• The amount of uncollected taxes, assessments and charges levied by the district and the amount upon each lot or tract of land.

A statement of all tax revenue collected for the district and paid to the county October 9, 2014 in the total amount of $3,162.99– will be Exhibit A.

Assessor Lane Burton calculated the property tax amount due for the district (including interest) as of December 30, 2014 to be $405.29 — will be Exhibit B. Later, Assessor Lane Burton further explained uncollected taxes and the percentage of delinquent taxes the district would receive when landowners pay the delinquent taxes.

• A description of the personal property and all other assets of the district.

On October 15, 2014 the MRFD board delivered to the Grant County Road Department an inventory of firefighting items and equipment — will be Exhibit C. Additionally, there is a 250 gallon fuel tank and stand that will be picked up by the Road Department once it is empty. Labhart recommended dedicating the (3) Jaws of Life to Monument and Long Creek EMTs as soon as possible, and he’s willing to take them to the EMTs. Myers said (2) fire engines are in our possession. He reported that Prairie City does not want their fire truck back. He is in the process of contacting Cloverdale Fire District in Sisters OR about interest in receiving their fire truck. NOTE: District records in a two-drawer file cabinet are still currently being reviewed by Judge Myers and Secretary Ferrioli.

• The estimated cost of dissolution.

Yockim Carollo LLP legal consultation expense paid from September 22, 2014 through December 31, 2014 concerning MRFD dissolution totals $459.00

• Proposed plan of dissolution and liquidation to include provisions for the transfer and conveyance of all assets of the district to any other district, or in the case of a county service district, to the county in which the district is located, which has the authority to and agrees to assume the outstanding indebtedness, if any, and continue to furnish similar services to the district.

Myers plans to make written contact with the City of Monument Fire Department as well as the Prairie City, John Day and Mt. Vernon Rural Fire Districts asking for a written response as to those entities willingness to annex the area, assume outstanding liabilities, and furnish similar services to the inhabitants of the MRFD (ORS 198.927).

Labhart recommended that we verify whether or not the Jaws of Life and other equipment are currently in working order. It was noted that some items will require a compatible power source to operate. Britton suggested that Undersheriff Todd McKinley or John Day Fire District Chief Ron Smith be contacted to help determine the suitability of this equipment.

The court took a break at 10:20 am. Assessor Lane Burton entered at 10:30 am.

PUBLIC COMMENT. Britton initiated discussion about closing offices at 3 pm today. Britton said the Clerk would see if Land Title Co. needs access to the Clerk’s office after 3 pm and, if not, the Clerk’s office was willing to close. Assessor Lane Burton said people could come in to pay taxes today, but he felt closing at 3 pm probably won’t be a problem since his office is open all day January 2.

MF: Britton — to shut down county offices at 3 pm today. During discussion Labhart said he prefers a 24 hours notice being given to the public. Jim Sproul pointed out that an individual may need to file an important document by the end of the calendar year. Myers agreed with Labhart and said employees already have an opportunity to use accruals if they’d like to go home early.

10:45 am — Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Mary R. Ferrioli

County Court Secretary