County court mulls closures, cuts to services, laying off employees for 2025-26

CANYON CITY — The Grant County Court is looking to tighten its belt to the tune of $1.3 million following its April 30 budget meeting.

Increases to the Public Employee Retirement System, insurance rates, the loss of jail revenue, the loss of Secure Rural Schools funds and the loss of grants that once paid for county jobs are among the reasons for the shortfall.

The original budget plan was to use $1.9 million out of the county’s $4.5 million in unappropriated funds to plug the budget hole and postpone cuts until next year. After discussions about the county’s budget status, the consensus among the county officials was that using a large portion of the unappropriated funds to fully patch the shortfall only prolongs the county’s fiscal issues.

Instead, the county court, along with the budget committee, agreed to use $600,000 in unappropriated funds and make $1.3 million in cuts to balance the budget.

The plan met some resistance from Grant County Judge Jim Hamsher, who proposed putting out a survey to determine which cuts residents would support. Hamsher also expressed concerns that $600,000 would not be enough to significantly close the budget gap, and employees who may lose their jobs due to cuts would not have sufficient time to find other employment.

He also wanted to wait to see what revenue would be coming in from the Legislature before committing to cuts.

Grant County Commissioner Mitch Wilson said the county is spending more money than it generates in revenue and must address the budget issues immediately.

“There is not going to be a good outcome,” Commissioner John Rowell said, but one “that will keep things working for folks.”

Making fiscal changes now

The county court and budget committee made some immediate decisions at the April 30 meeting. Chief among them was a wage freeze for nonunion county employees. They also decided not to use county road funds to support preschools and internet access for county schools via the Grant County Education Service District.

Emma Winkelman, Grant County ESD deputy clerk, said preschools will not be severely affected, although none have yet been informed of potential funding cuts. Superintendent Robert Waltenberg said the ESD may need to shift resources and could face damage to external relationships. Still, he said services would remain unchanged if internet funding is cut.

Hamsher noted internet access could be funded using Secure Rural Schools Title III funds, which can support county projects including broadband access in rural areas with significant federal land holdings. More than 60% of Grant County land is federally owned.

What’s on the chopping block

The court is determining additional cuts.

One of the more controversial proposals is the closure of the Grant County Jail. The move would save the county $846,752, according to projections, but would introduce challenges, Sheriff Todd McKinley said.

He said the sheriff’s office would need to transport prisoners to The Dalles, and housing them would cost more than $700,000. He also raised legal concerns about housing inmates outside a neighboring county.

McKinley voiced concerns over jail staff layoffs and said the decision should rest with the community. He warned that life in the county would change if the jail closed. He also cited challenges of maintaining law enforcement with a small staff, compounded by the legalization of hard drugs, mill closures, increased tourism and a rise in crimes during disasters such as last year’s wildfires.

Rowell, who initially supported closing the jail, said McKinley’s points changed his mind.

Options under discussion also include selling, leasing or shuttering the Grant County Library; relocating staff to the courthouse; selling the L Building; funding predator control with Oregon Lottery dollars; and defunding the justice of the peace if feasible.

Some job losses are inevitable, Hamsher said, adding he doesn’t see another way to achieve the needed savings. “There is not a million dollars sitting around in computer purchases or office equipment,” he said.

Court’s decision

Budget committee member Amy Kreger emphasized the final decisions on cuts rest with the court, not the budget committee.

Rowell has developed five potential strategies for reaching $1.3 million in reductions. Kreger and fellow committee members Charlene Morris and Kathy Smith offered their own suggestions during the meeting.

Two of Rowell’s strategies involve closing the library, while another two suggest renting it out. Three of his proposals would shutter the jail — crafted before McKinley raised concerns.

All of Rowell’s strategies call for defunding the Justice of the Peace, consolidating staff back into the courthouse and having Community Connections of Northwest Oregon operate the county’s senior centers.

“There will be a ways and means process regarding the cuts,” Rowell said. “The county court and the budget committee are dedicated to try to find the best way to do the best for our citizens with the money that we have. When you don’t have any money, you have to decide what you’re going to keep and what you’re not going to keep.”

The Grant County budget committee has three more meetings scheduled for May 8, May 14 and May 21. All will take place at 1 p.m. at the Grant County Courthouse.