8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016
Local
County: Budget adopted, resolutions passed
BY TODD ARRIOLA
Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com
The Baker County Board of Commis-
sioners held a regular session on Wednes-
day, June 15, 9 a.m., in the Commission
Chambers, which included adoption of
the 2016-2017 County budget, approval
of numerous resolutions, and outspoken
community members.
Present from the Board were Commis-
sioners Mark Bennett and Tim Kerns, and
Executive Assistant Heidi Martin.
Attendance also included Baker County
911 Consolidated Dispatch Center
Director Lindsey Hope, Baker County
Administrative Services Coordinator
Christena Cook, Baker County Facilities
Maintenance Foreman Dan McQuisten,
Baker County Sheriff Travis Ash, Baker
County Emergency Management Program
Manager Jason Yencopal, Art Sappington,
Ken Anderson, Guy Michael, Dave Mc-
Quisten, Ed Hardt, Gary Dielman, John
and Ramona Creighton, Dave Hunsaker,
Wanda Ballard, and Vicki Valenzuela.
Kerns called the session to order, and
he led in recitation of the Pledge of Al-
legiance. He followed this with a moment
of silence, for Commission Chair Bill
Harvey (absent from this session), whose
daughter, Kristi, passed away Monday.
Noting several changes to the agenda,
it was then adopted, with a motion from
Bennett, and a second from Kerns.
Citizen Participation included com-
ments from Sappington, Jefferson Mining
District Coordinating Officer (he and
Dielman were listed on the agenda for this
segment), who read a significant amount
of material into the record (copies of
which he provided to the Board), regard-
ing what “...started out as a review of an
Oregon Federal District Court’s assistant
prosecutor’s response to a wrongfully
charged mineral grantee...Citizens, and
mineral grantees contend that, as a holder
of a valid, unpatented mining claim...the
possessory property right to occupy that
claim is recognized, and to reside on his
claim, to conduct legitimate, and lawful
mining activities, is recognized, and pro-
tected by Congressional Grant.”
He read the material into the record, as
part of Jefferson Mining District’s notice
that the State of Oregon violated Federal
and State laws, regarding the rights of
mineral developers. The decision was
made to forward this notice to Baker
County District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff
for review, as it deals with State law viola-
tion claims, with a motion from Bennett,
and a second from Kerns. Michael added
comments, regarding the term “recre-
ational mining,” which he says is confus-
ing, and misused, among other details he
mentioned.
Dave McQuisten added comments about
what he sees as an out-of-control govern-
ment, including the possibility of land
confiscation. He said the BLM (Bureau of
Land Management), and the U.S. Forest
Service (USFS) don’t have jurisdiction,
the public owns the land, and he refer-
enced the Harney County/Hammond
situation as an example of the issues.
“They’re (the agencies) coming here next;
mark my words,” he said, to confiscate
land, and water. He applauded Harvey for
his efforts with coordination, but he sees a
negative future, with government over-
reach, and harm to Baker County citizens.
McQuisten encouraged Bennett to meet
with him personally, and to keep up with
studies, regarding the (U.S.) Constitution.
Sayers asked Sappington what he thinks
the County should do, in response to
the notice of claims of violations by the
State. He responded that he wanted to
bring attention to the issue, by informing
the Board, who in turn can possibly cause
some form of action to be taken.
Dielman, President of the Baker County
Library District Board of Directors, com-
mented about his desire for Baker County
to “...recognize global warming...” He
spoke to the Board and attendees, as he
held up a section of the Wednesday, June
8, 2016 issue of the Baker City Herald,
with an article titled “Second Wind,”
by Joshua Dillen, in which Sumpter
Valley resident, owner of Lime Wind,
LLC, and Baker County Planning Com-
mission Board member Randy Joseph
speaks about the development of renew-
able energy resources, to reduce carbon
emissions, during a recent workshop.
Dielman praised Joseph for his efforts, in
promoting renewable energy ideas, and
Dielman stood firm on his thoughts about
the claimed realities of global warming,
which he says the County has ignored, as
he commented about effects of wildfires.
Dave McQusten asked Dielman whether
Joseph really cares about the environment,
or if he’s just benefiting from financial
gain, and Dielman responded that, without
a doubt, it’s to benefit the environment.
Dielman asked the two Commissioners
whether they believe in the idea of global
warming, and Bennett said that conversa-
tion wasn’t part of the agenda, and that he
would talk with anyone, one-on-one, but
he would not entertain a heated, devisive
argument during the session.
Sayers said he spoke to Baker County
Roadmaster Jeff Smith, in reference to an
earlier discussion about the condition of
the McCulloch Mine Road bridge, which
he said has since been improved, and he
thanked the Board for that.
The minutes from the regular ses-
sions on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, and
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 were approved,
with a motion from Bennett, and a second
from Kerns.
Two discussions were postponed until
Harvey is present: Sumpter Dredge tail-
ings mining opportunities, and a County
counsel RFP (Request for Proposal)
award.
Prior to the Baker County 2016-2017
Budget adoption, Changes to the Ap-
proved 2016-2017 Budget Before Adop-
tion was approved, with a motion from
Bennett, and a second from Kerns.
The following were approved, as part
of the Baker County 2016-2017 Budget
adoption segment, individually, with a
motion from Bennett, and a second from
Kerns:
Resolution No. 2016-1026, Declaring
The Ad Valorem Property Tax And Cat-
egorizing The Property Tax Limitation For
Baker County For 2016-2017. According
to the resolution, taxes of $3.7286 per
$1,000 of assessed value of taxable prop-
erty within the County will be imposed,
and $90,000 in Local Option tax for weed
control operations.
Resolution No. 2016-1027, Adopting
The 2016-2017 Baker County Budget
And Making Appropriations There Of.
According to the resolution, a total of
$30,853,092 is adopted for the 2016-2017
Baker County budget.
Cook provided an Administrative
Services Department update, the follow-
ing among other details: Cook’s Payroll
Clerk is resigning next week, and the
Department is hiring Shelly Christensen to
fill the role, full-time, on July 1, 2016; Ac-
counts Payable employee Shaylynn Sells
is due to give birth in September; and
some projects include electronic distribu-
tion of timesheets, with electronically-
distributed month end reports, and refining
the healthcare insurance processes.
The City of Unity’s budget was adopted
(approved during a previous session), with
a motion from Bennett, and a second from
Kerns.
Dan McQuisten discussed a bid for
replacement of the Baker County Jus-
tice Center Dispatch Server Room air
conditioning (AC) unit. McQuisten
recommended the low bid (of two bids
received), from Baker County Heating and
& Cooling, LLC, for $6,985, for a 36,000
BTU unit. According to McQuisten
and Lindsey, the current temperature of
the room is up to as much as 80 degrees
(around 68 degrees is acceptable, they
said). Lindsey said, the lowest tem-
perature she’s seen since she was hired
as Director is 78 degrees. The bid was
accepted.. Kerns asked McQuisten when
the new unit could be installed, and Mc-
Quisten said by next Friday.
The following resolutions were ap-
proved, with explanations for each,
provided by Cook prior to approval, with
a motion from Bennett, and a second from
Kerns (the exception being Resolution No.
2016-1007, which was approved, with a
motion from Kerns, and a second from
Bennett):
Resolution No. 2016-1006, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental
Department Of The County General Fund.
According to the resolution, $5,000 was
received for Molly Atwater and Friends,
for a new total of $7,000, in Mollie Atwa-
ter Expenditures.
Resolution No. 2016-1007, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental
Department Of The County General Fund.
According to the resolution, $33,756 was
received from the State Department of
Agriculture, with a new total of $53,756
in Wolf Depredation Prevention.
Resolution No. 2016-1008, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Sheriff Department Of
The County General Fund. According to
the resolution, $7,500 was received from
Leo Adler, for Search and Rescue, for a
new total of $17,500 in Equipment.
Resolution No. 2016-1009, Appropria-
tion Of Unanticipated Funds To Be Ex-
pended In The Sheriff Department Of The
County General Fund. According to the
resolution, $11,965 was received from the
sale of a boat, and a truck, for a new total
of $35,465 in Equipment.
Resolution No. 2016-1010, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Parole And Probation
Department Of The County General Fund.
According to the resolution, $35,000 was
received from OR Community Correc-
tions, with a new total of $360,000 in
revenues. The amount received is broken
down as: $30,000 in Parole and Probation
Clerk, and $5,000 in Retirement.
Resolution No. 2016-1011, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Emergency Management
Department Of The County General Fund.
According to the resolution, $24,415 was
received from Federal Title III, for a new
total of $24,415 in Equipment.
Resolution No. 2016-1012, Appropria-
tion Transfer Within The Emergency Man-
agement Department Of The County Gen-
eral Fund. According to the resolution,
$7,422 was transferred from Supplies, for
a new total of $8,399, to Equipment, for a
new total of $31,837.
Resolution No. 2016-1013, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental De-
partment Of The Economic Development
Fund. According to the resolution, $2,000
was received in contributions ($1,000 in
Mining Summit Expenditures, and $1,000
in Contract Service).
Resolution No. 2016-1014, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental De-
partment Of The Drug Task Force Fund.
According to the resolution, $9,400 was
received from seizures, with a new total of
$9,400 in Seizure Distribution.
Resolution No. 2016-1015, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Public Transportation
Department Of The Transportation Fund.
According to the resolution, $25,000 was
received from Special STF Funding, for
a new total of $25,000 in Amended STF
Funding.
Resolution No. 2016-1016, Appropria-
tion Of Unanticipated Funds To Be Ex-
pended In The Non-Departmental Depart-
ment Of The Museum Fund. According to
the resolution, $6,005 was received from
TEC Employee Work Reimbursement, for
a total of $6,005 in Museum Assistant.
Resolution No. 2016-1017, Appropria-
tion Transfer Within The Non-Depart-
mental Department Of The Technology
Fund. According to the resolution, a total
of $15,000 was transferred from Server
Replacement, and $6,000 was received in
Replacement Computers, with a new total
of $21,000, and $9,000 was received in
Equipment, for a new total of $24,000.
Resolution No. 2016-1018, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental
Department Of The County Health Fund.
According to the resolution, $30,698
was received as a result of an increase in
Public Health Administrative Fees, with a
new total of $54,698 in EHR (Electronic
Health Records).
Resolution No. 2016-1019, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The SSPH Department Of
The County Health Fund. According to
the resolution, $342 was received from
an Oregon State Health Grant, with a new
total of $542 in Travel.
Resolution No. 2016-1020, Appropria-
tion Of Unanticipated Funds To Be Ex-
pended In The Immunization Department
Of The County Health Fund. According
to the resolution, $201 was received from
the State of Oregon, for a new total of
$70,201 in Vaccine Expenditures.
Resolution No. 2016-1021, Appropria-
tion Of Unanticipated Funds To Be Ex-
pended In The Bioterrorism Department
Of The County Health Fund. According
to the resolution, $7,966 was received
from the State Ebola Grant, with a new
total of $7,266 in Ebola Coordination, and
$3,200 in Travel/Training.
Resolution No. 2016-1022, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The CAHS Department Of
The County Health Fund. According to
the resolution, $329 was received from the
State, for a new total of $5,736 in Depart-
ment Assistant II.
Resolution No. 2016-1023, Appropria-
tion Of Unanticipated Funds To Be Ex-
pended In The CAHS Title V Department
Of The County Health Fund. According
to the resolution, $2,228 was received
from a Title V Grant, for a new total of
$2,228 in Department Assistant II.
Resolution No. 2016-1024, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Local Community
Advisory Department Of The County
Health Fund. According to the resolution,
$15,773 was received, for a new total of
$1,000 in Clinical Supplies, and $14,773
in Marketing and Services.
Resolution No. 2016-1025, Transfers Of
Funds Per The 2015-2016 Budget Docu-
ment. According to the resolution, a total
of $207,709 was transferred.
Resolution No. 2016-1028, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Emergency Management
Department Of The County General Fund.
According to the resolution, $50,753 was
received from FMAG (Fire Management
Assistance Grant), for a new total of
$31,000 in Cornet/Windy Ridge; $10,000
in Cornet/Windy Ridge OT; $26,353 in
Group Insurance; and $9,603 in Social
Security.
Resolution No. 2016-1029, Appro-
priation Of Unanticipated Funds To Be
Expended In The Non-Departmental
Department Of The School Based Clinic
Fund. According to the resolution, $5,500
was received from an increase in provid-
ers fees, for a new total of $34,151.
Resolution No. 2016-1030, Appropria-
tion Transfer Within The Non-Depart-
mental Department Of The School Based
Clinic Fund. According to the resolu-
tion, $3,000 was transferred from Men-
tal Health Clerical, with a new total of
$5,577, to EHR Maintenance, with a new
total of $11,500.
Resolution No. 2016-1031, Appropria-
tion Transfer Within The Non-Departmen-
tal Department Of The Museum Fund.
According to the resolution, $14,800 was
transferred from Museum Assistant Store
Volunteer, with a new total of $200, to
Museum Assistant, with a new total of
$16,805, and Social Security, with a new
total of $5,311.
Tax Refund Resolution No. 98-01.
According to the resolution, a total of
$4,913.77 in taxes on real and personal
property, which have been collected
in excess of the taxes levied, has been
authorized to be refunded on a total of
12 accounts: Roger and Audrey Brown
($547.99); Edward, Jr., and Pissamai
Busciglio ($168.01, for 2014); Edward,
Jr., and Pissamai Busciglio ($246.26,
for 2015); Daniel Domey ($1,627.44);
David Hobson ($450.63); Jeremy Mad-
dox ($1,134.75); Bruce and Carol Mor-
rison ($30.33); Charles Payton ($94.75);
Charles and Peggy Payton ($41.32);
Bobby and Rolyne Stockwell ($184.08,
for 2014); Bobby and Rolyne Stockwell
($189.51, for 2015); and Brent and Jea-
nette Thompson ($198.70).
A previously signed letter, dated May
22, 2016, addressed from the Board, to
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Di-
rector Neil Kornze, regarding the Coun-
ty’s comments on BLM’s “Planning 2.0,”
was ratified, with a motion from Bennett,
and a second from Kerns.
A previously signed Intergovernmental
Agreement (IGA) No. 24800-16-0007,
between the Oregon Military Department
(OMD), and Baker County, and Baker
County Fairgrounds Board, was ratified,
with a motion from Bennett, and a second
from Kerns. The purpose of the IGA is
to facilitate the cost apportionment of
demolition, and removal of the old armory
compound improvement, as agreed upon
on April 7, 2016.
A previously signed Amendment to No.
1 To the Memorandum of Agreement,
between the OMD, and Baker County,
was ratified, with a motion from Bennett,
and a second from Kerns. Section 1 of the
agreement is deleted in its entirety, and
replaced with different language, accord-
ing to the amendment.
Prior to adjournment, Dave McQuisten
began a discussion aimed at Bennett,
regarding government overreach and
McQuisten’s doubts about the progress of
Baker County in taking a stand. Mc-
Quisten used the BLM as an example,
and Bennett replied that the County has
worked well with the BLM, and progress
is being made. McQuisten expressed
concerns about confiscation of land, and
agency corruption, among other issues,
and Bennett said that the County is mov-
ing forward, as he cited examples such as
efforts on the Boardman to Hemingway
project, Sage Grouse issues, and timber
removal. He stated that continued divi-
siveness won’t accomplish anything, and
the community needs to work together,
and not lose sight of goals.