Coos County Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting - April 1, 2025

The meeting covered a range of topics, including amending the Coos County Code to include on-site septic regulations, a proposed annexation of territory into the Fairview Rural Fire Protection District, an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Health Authority for REAL ID SOGI data collection training, a security assessment contract, timber sale awards, the Justice Reinvestment Program grant, contracts with victim service providers Kids Hope Center and SAFE Project, the purchase of two Ford Explorers for Community Corrections, declaring surplus vehicles, an OTET insurance subscription agreement, and the appointment of outside counsel to represent the county regarding the potential sale of the county's gas pipeline.

Budget Discussion

• The county is facing a significant budget shortfall, around $1.8 million, due to rising costs and limited revenue growth.

• The board will need to make substantial cuts, likely impacting personnel, to balance the budget.

Other Key Topics

Amending Coos County Code Article 13 on Permitting and Property Development:

• The purpose is to include the on-site septic program into the county code to start regulating it.

• The board approved the ordinance to amend the code.

Proposed Annexation of Territory into Fairview Rural Fire Protection District:

• The board tentatively approved the proposed boundary change, pending a final hearing and voter approval in the November 2025 election.

• The board adopted a ballot title for the election.

Intergovernmental Agreement with Oregon Health Authority for REAL ID SOGI Data Collection:

• This grant is for training staff on implementing the REAL ID data collection requirements, which will be mandatory starting in 2027.

• The board approved the agreement for two staff members to receive the training.

Agreement with LMG Security for Penetration Testing and HIPAA Risk Assessment:

• The board approved the agreement with LMG Security to conduct internal and external penetration testing and a HIPAA risk assessment.

Award of Timber Sales:

• The board awarded timber sale contracts to the high bidders, with the total value around $2.6 million.

• The winning bids were about 15% higher than the appraised value.

2025-2027 Justice Reinvestment Program Grant Application:

• The board approved the grant application, which provides funding for a parole/probation officer, district attorney, treatment services, housing, and victim services.

Contracts with Kids Hope Center and SAFE Project for Victim Services:

• The board approved contracts with these organizations to provide victim support specialists using the Justice Reinvestment grant funds.

Purchase of Two Ford Explorers for Community Corrections:

• The board approved the purchase of two 2025 Ford Explorers, not to exceed $82,000, to replace older vehicles.

Declaring Surplus and Auctioning Two Chevy Tahoes:

• The board declared two older Chevy Tahoes as surplus and approved auctioning them off.

OTET Subscription Agreement for Solid Waste Teamsters:

• The board approved the OTET subscription agreement for the Teamsters health insurance plan.

Retaining Outside Counsel for PUC Deliberations on Gas Pipeline:

• The board directed the county counsel to retain outside counsel to represent the county in deliberations with the Oregon Public Utilities Commission regarding the sale of the county's gas pipeline.

• The funding for this will initially come from the county council's contracted services budget, with the pipeline fund used to replenish if necessary.

Late Agenda Item - Support Letter for SB 771 Rodeo Funding:

• The board approved signing a letter in support of SB 771, which would provide $5 million in funding for communities under 12,000 population that have rodeos.