Undersheriff Zach Mobley updates the Grant County Court on budget issues at the sheriff’s office Oct. 24.

A burned-out trailer house on Bridge Street in Prairie City that has been considered a public safety issue and nuisance for about two years may be one step closer to cleanup.

The Grant County Court approved a reduced redemption period in the tax foreclosure process for the property at their Oct. 24 meeting. Grant County Tax Assessor David Thunell said four years of taxes were owed on the property.

The trailer burned April 19, 2017. The owner was present and later died as a result of smoke inhalation, Commissioner and Prairie City Mayor Jim Hamsher said.

Since then, the site has been unoccupied, and the assessor’s office has not been able to contact any family members or interested parties, Thunell said. Some money was owed to the state Department of Revenue through a tax deferral program for senior citizens, he said.

Thunell said his office in the past has offered tax-foreclosed properties at auction at 50 percent of the market value. Commissioner Rob Raschio suggested the asking price should at least be equal to the amount owed to the DOR and to the county for back taxes.

Hamsher noted that if the asking price is too high, there won’t be a bidder and the county could end up owning the property and being responsible for cleanup costs, which could be substantial if hazardous materials like lead paint are involved.

Thunell said that he would try to speed up the sale of the property once the 30-day waiting period ended.

In other county court news:

• In an update to the court, Undersheriff Zach Mobley reported that the new patrol sergeant position has reduced overtime costs at the sheriff’s office by about $9,000. Deputies also benefited from fewer conflicts when scheduling vacation time, he said.

Danny Komning is the new patrol sergeant. The sheriff’s office also appointed Wade Waddel to be the new corrections sergeant to work alongside Sgt. Josh Wolf. Dave Dobler is the new forest patrol deputy and search and rescue coordinator.

Mobley also discussed health care costs at the jail. The sheriff’s office doesn’t have a full-time nurse on duty at the jail, and more mental health screening is needed. Training for jail staff and new restraint equipment have been beneficial, he said.

In a separate matter, Mobley said he had the opportunity to purchase a mobile communications facility assessed at $27,000 as government surplus for $1,500. The shipping container and equipment could be used to replace a radio building in Long Creek that is deteriorating. The court agreed to purchase a second surplus unit at the bargain price for use elsewhere in the county.

• The court approved an offer by District Attorney Jim Carpenter to take over county counsel duties from Ron Yockim effective Jan. 1. Yockim, who is retiring, will continue to handle some ongoing cases.

The court also agreed to pay for a deputy district attorney effective Jan. 1, with the salary dependent on experience. Grant County Judge Scott Myers noted there was no guarantee the county could sustain the position. Carpenter said leftover federal grant money would fund a temporary deputy until the end of the year.

• The court tabled a decision on how to fill a state-mandated public health administrator position to represent the county in overseeing public health and mental health services in Grant County.

Kimberly Lindsay, executive director of Community Counseling Solutions, which performs county health department duties on a contract basis, offered to fill the position for about $10,000 a year.

While Myers said Lindsay’s offer was fair and equitable, Hamsher noted that he’d like to see the position filled by a local person, such as Jessica Winegar. Raschio said he wanted the county to be in compliance with state regulations while remaining within the county budget. Hamsher noted that Judge Pete Runnels acts as the public health administrator in Harney County.

Myers asked Lindsay to provide additional information on the duties performed by a public health administrator to be discussed at their next meeting, Nov. 7.