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BAKER COUNTY LIBRARY
2400 RESORT ST
BAKER CITY OR 97814-2721
115 years in Bakey Cow$
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Sumpter Valley Railroad Depot
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Thursday, March 17, 2016
Est. Haines 1901 ~ Haines, Baker County, Oregon
Volume 115, Number 11 • 10 Pages • $1
Baker County’s Budget
By Gina Perkins
10 Baker County Department Heads including
Christena Cook, Administrative Services Director
and Dan McQuisten from Facilities were present
at Wednesday's March 9, Commission Work
Session. Cook provided an update on the financial
position of Baker County and McQuisten provided
an extensive update on proposed facilities projects.
' Cook opened the meeting by explaining that July
1 through November is the most crucial to the
County's budget for cash flow because of the slow
down in property tax payments.
"Never in the 15-16 years during my tenure have
we had to go outside the County for financing. I've
heard horror stories of 36 hour work weeks and
those things can happen if we don't pay attention,"
said Cook. "Where we are right now is where we
should be," she added.
Cook went on to say there are items coming this
year and Commissioners need to make some
decisions.
"The Department Heads know what they need to
do," Cook stated.
Cook discussed several of the hits to the budget
which included an estimated $306,000 in the
McCarty settlement, which according to County
officials, insurance has declined to pay. Commis
sioners will be contacting the insurance company
again regarding the matter. The likely loss of
Secure Rural School funding, reductions in PILT
payments which drastically reduce the Road
Department and County Fire budgets, BCLA
Union negotiations, increases in PERS and
insurance, all play a role.
Additionally, decisions by Commissioners on the
proposed purchase of the ODOT building, repairs
to the building and utilities, fluids to purchase
property by the Road Department, Justice Court
staffing adjustments and purchase of Electronic
Case Management software by the District
Attorney's Office, all have or will, significantly
affect® the budget. The Water Resources
Department is also considering moving out of the
Courthouse which would result in an annual loss
to the County of $24,000 in rent.
"We have the next fiscal year covered with
County Fire thanks to good fiscal management,"
stated Mark Bennett.
"We're right at the yellow fight with carry over,"
Bennett said. "I hate to be a dinosaur, but I've been
here when we've been broke," Bennett also said.
"And these are just the things I know about,"
Cook pointed out more than once.
"Sorry, but that's my update," Cook concluded.
Facility Director Asks
Commissioners to Please
Prioritize
A lengthy discussion was led by Dan
McQuisten of Facilities regarding several
projects. McQuisten said he needed the Commis
sioners to let him know how they wanted to
proceed and provided information within staff
reports on the various projects, which mostly are
Elms.
unfunded.
All of the costs associated with the demolition
would be the responsibility of the County.
Facilities Projects Discussed
These points were also emphasized by
McQuisten during his staff report to the
During the Work Session:
Commissioners and he expressed concern
Sumpter Valley Railroad
regarding the cost both in dollars and man
Depot Building
power resources. He also stated there is strong
community sentiment about the Depot building,
The Railroad Depot building is located at Tenth
as well, and cautioned Commissioners about the
and Broadway and is owned by the County. It
sensitivity.
currently houses the Parks Department and had,
up until March 2, housed the Powder Basin
Proposed Demolition of
Watershed Council which has been a source of
Foreclosed Property
rental income to the County.
In 1995, a lease agreement was secured by
Another conversation regarding the proposed
Steve Bogart and Union Pacific to lease the
ground where the Depot Building sits at a cost of demolition of a house, located on a foreclosed
$ 1 per year. A considerable community effort and property near South Baker School on 1244
significant funds from the Eccles faihily were Third Street, reflected concerns by Baker
utilized for beautification of the building, history County Treasurer Alice Durflinger and
boards, and paving of the property. The 1995 Christena Cook from Administrative Services.
lease stated, "..this Lease shall extend for twenty The 75 foot by 100 foot lot and home has a
(20) years and thereafter Lessee shall have four combined value listed on the Tax Assessor's
(4) five year options to renew. Lessee shall advise website of $58,760.
Harvey's intention is to demolish the house
Lessor in writing not less than ninety (90) days
prior to the initial termand. subsequent five year and remove the utilities. He stated he has
scfieduTed the Roaa Department to do this
option."
When Commissioner Harvey was finished during Spring Break when students are not
negotiating with Union Pacific, the lease present. Harvey had directed Facilities to take
payment had skyrocketed from $1 annually to steps to demolish the home previously but
$3,000 and the new lease stated the County could Harvey was informed by McQuisten that as of
no longer sub-lease. Harvey was asked by Sheriff Jan. 1, a Pre-Demolition Survey is required
Ash at the Work Session what the reason was before any demolition could occur. This was
completed by Paulsen Environmental
behind the $1 to $3,000 jump.
"They have a new lawyer in charge over there," Consulting out of Vale which was the low
Harvey stated. "He pretty much said take it or bidder. This was at a cost of $1100 to the
County and came back showing there is no
leave it," Harvey added.
In a separate interview, Ed Elms, Volunteer asbestos on the property. On Friday, March 11,
Chairman of the Parks Board said, "The Parks McQuisten had picked up the demolition permit
Board did not have an opportunity to see the lease from the City, as directed by Harvey.
McQuisten, Durflinger, and Cook expressed
before Bill signed it. I don't think there was much
negotiating and now the new lease says we can't concern over the decision for the County to
spend money which would potentially devalue
sublease."
Harvey stated it was news to him that the the property with no guarantee these costs
Powder Basin Watershed Council had moved would be reimbursed.
Durflinger said, "When we foreclose on a
out. They relocated to what is commonly known
as the old KBKR radio station building across property we have to follow the ORS [Oregon
from the Carnegie Art Center on March 2,2016. Statutes]. This isn't just Baker County's or the
"So the Watershed Council left because they School District's money. It belongs to all of the
were jerked around too much?" asked taxing districts, the Library, Blue Mountain
Translator District, etc..."
Commissioner Tim Kerns.
"Is there an agreement between you and the
Commissioner Harvey reportedly has on
several occasions stated that he considers the School District?" asked Durflinger to Commis
Depot building to be "junk", wants to tear it sioner Harvey. "Something that says we will re
down, and relocate the Parks Department. But coup these extra costs, because I haven't seen
one."
that presents a problem to the County.
"Neither have I," said Cook.
"If we abandon the building, we have to tear it
down, remove the kiosk, brickwork, curbing,
pavement and return it to a gravel lot I don't see
See BUDGET on page 2
how that's in Baker County's best interest," said
Æ
Young Life Raises $14,400
The annual Young Life dessert and auction fundraiser held at the i RHHI
1
Baker High School commons on Friday night had approximately 150
;1
people attend and raised over $14,000.
K ’MKj . j|
Kristy Sandefur said, "This was a good crowd considering we were
one of four fundraising banquets that happened in Baker in one week!
We have 70 kids and leaders we need to get to camp for a total cost
of $35,000."
Sandefur encourages anyone who might not have been able to at
tend but who still might like to make a donation to please call 541-
523-0661 or 541-519-5524. She can be reached by email at
sandefur@q.com.
"We want to say a big thank you to all who came and donated items
to our auction... we'd be lost without our community's support!" said
Sandefur.
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Photo by Gina Perkins
From left: Kristy Sandefur, Angie LaHaug and Alice Durflinger
Burnt River
Spring FFA
Banquet
Shrine
All Kids
Rodeo
Lady Elks
St. Patrick's
Day Dinner
April 7, 2016 at 5 p.m.
Burnt River School Gym
Tri-Tip Dinner, Auction
Saturday, March 26
11 a.m.
at the Show Barn
Baker Co. Fairgrounds
Friday, March 18
$15 6-8 p.m.
for members & guests
This fore-
closed
house is
scheduled
for demo-
I i t i o n
during
Spring
Break.
Spring Bazaar Planned
for April
The seniors at
Community
Connection will have
their 21st Annual Spring
Bazaar on Saturday,
April 2, 9-2 p.m. at
Community Connection,
2810 Cedar Street, Baker
City. Vendor tables are
now available to rent, for
displaying their
handcraft, gift, food, and
collectible items.
Maundy Thursday
Communion and
Prayer from the First
Presbyterian Church
in-Baker City
March 24,12-1 p.m.
All are welcome to come
together as a community
for the celebration of
communion. Pastors and
congregants will be
serving communion as
well as offering prayer to
those passing by. This
will take place downtown
on the sidewalk area on
Court Street between
Main and Resort Streets
next to the Comer Brick
over the lunch hour.
Youth Track to Begin
The Baker High School
Track and Field Program will
be hosting the Baker City
Youth Program once again
this spring.
Kindergarten
through sixth graders are
welcome to attend and the
season will run from March
28-May 4. Practice will be
held at the Baker High
School track. Cost is $30 per
athlete with a $75 family cap
and kids will receive a tee-
shirt. Youth will be coached
by BHS track athletes and
their coaches.
Registration forms can be
picked up at the Baker
County YMCA, the Baker
High School Office, or at any
of the practices. Just show
up to the first practice on
March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the
BHS track and be ready to
have a great time! For more
information call or email Suzy
Cole at 541-524-2641 or
suzy.cole@bakersd.org.
4005 23rd Street • PO Box 226
Baker City, OR 97814
(541) 523-3616