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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (June 19, 2019)
NEWS MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, June 19, 2019 A5 County workers to see pay increase Budget to be adopted June 26 USDA Wildlife Services has requested $69,317 from the county for predator con- trol services. Last year, the county put $25,092 into the program. With the establishment of the Grant County Emer- gency Communications Agency this year to pro- vide 911 dispatch service, the county’s expected con- tribution has increased from $79,198 paid in fi scal year 2017 to $117,513 in the coming fi scal year. The county paid only $10,000 annually in the last two fi scal years because a legislative appropriation supported local dispatch for the past biennium. A bill that passed in the Oregon House would increase the phone tax that supports 911 dispatch centers from 75 cents per month to $1 next year and $1.25 the follow- ing year, which could bring down the county’s share of local 911 costs if approved. The county began con- tracting with Commu- nity Counseling Services in 2013 to provide public health services. Since then, CCS has reported a shortfall each year, and county pay- ments to CCS have ranged from $60,000 to $110,000 each year. CCS is asking for $83,000 for fi scal year 2020, up from $65,000 last year. A full-time human resources position has been created, and the adminis- trative assistant position is now part-time. The dis- trict attorney took over the duties of county coun- sel, and the county agreed to pay for a deputy district attorney. The road depart- ment added an equipment operator for the Long Creek area. The county clerk anticipates replacing a bal- lot counting machine some- time in the future for about $60,000. The budget message also cited a concern about shortfalls in the senior cit- izens budget over the past four fi scal years as a result of shrinking state and fed- eral funding. Last year, the county transferred $54,245 to the senior citizens budget. The projected shortfall for this fi scal year is $48,236. In other county court news: • Kim Puckett is the new part-time Grant County administrative assistant. Laurie Wright will be work- ing full time as the new human resources manager. • Commissioner Sam Palmer said he was at a meeting with Regional For- ester Glenn Casamassa and other offi cials when it was announced that Craig Trulock is the new Malheur National Forest supervisor. Highway 26 in Dayville. June 14: Responded to a report of an infant with dif- fi culty breathing on High- way 26. June 14: Responded to several reports of criminal mischief in Canyon City. June 15: Responded to a reported theft on North Clark Street in Canyon City. • John Day ambulance June 10: Transported a patient from South Canyon Boulevard in John Day. June 11: Responded with Prairie City ambu- lance to a medical alarm on Indian Creek Road. June 10: Dispatched to a woman with diabetic prob- lems on Northwest Third Street in John Day. June 12: Responded for a 64-year-old male on Main Street in John Day. June 14: Dispatched for a man with chest pain on Thomason Lane. June 12: Responded for a man who had fallen on Northwest Boyce Place in John Day. June 13: Responded with Oregon State Police to a single-vehicle accident on Highway 395 North. June 14: Responded with Long Creek ambulance for a man with a history of car- diac issues in Long Creek. June 14: Responded for an 84-year-old man who was nonresponsive on Cha- rolais Heights. June 16: Responded with Seneca ambulance for a 70-year-old man. June 16: Responded for a 95-year-old man who had fallen on Valley View Drive. June 16: Dispatched for a 22-year-old man who was having seizures on South- west Brent Drive. • Canyon City Public Works June 11: Received a report of a tree down across a bridge in Canyon City. • Grant County Road Department June 14: Advised of a downed tree blocking County Road 62. By Richard Hanners Blue Mountain Eagle All Grant County employees, from elected offi cials to hourly workers, will receive a 2.55% cost of living increase, according to the fi scal year 2020 bud- get approved by the Grant County Court on June 12. The budget will be for- mally adopted on June 26. Excluding the unappropri- ated ending fund balance and reserve funds, the bud- get comes to $31.7 million, up from $25.3 million last year. That includes $2.7 mil- lion for health services, up from $1.5 million last year. Estimated property taxes to be received by the county this year will be $1.6 mil- lion, increased from $1.5 million last year. With 23.94 full-time equivalent employees, gen- eral administration costs for the FY 2020 budget come to $5.2 million, up from 21.71 FTE employees and $3.8 million last year. Public safety’s 31.85 FTE employ- ees come to $4.4 million, up from $3.8 million last year. The county began bank- ing money in a road reserve fund around 2001 using fed- eral Secure Rural Schools money. The hope was to build up a large enough reserve that interest pay- ments would help fund the county road department, but it’s never been enough, Judge Scott Myers told the Eagle. The county might receive $650,000 from the federal government as payment in lieu of taxes in the com- ing fi scal year, according to the budget message to the county budget committee. The sheriff’s offi ce The Eagle/Richard Hanners Grant County Treasurer Julie Ellison describes budget changes during the county court’s June 12 meeting. anticipates receiving about $300,000 from the state Department of Correc- tions for jail bed rentals and $50,000 from Prairie City for patrol services. The offi ce requested $90,000 to lease six new outfi tted patrol vehicles, $64,000 for a second civil deputy and $10,000 for new ballistic vests. The county court renewed a $6,000 contract with the Forest Service to patrol forest roads and campgrounds. The sheriff’s offi ce will also provide spe- cial enforcement during unexpected large group The Eagle/Richard Hanners gatherings and fi re From left, Commissioner Sam Palmer, County Judge Scott emergencies. Sheriff Glenn Palmer Myers and Commissioner Jim Hamsher listen to county court agreed with the court that discussion on June 12. the Forest Service should pay more for the patrol ser- contract at least provides an to have a police presence on vices and noted that the opportunity for the county the forest. COPS AND COURTS Arrests and citations in the Blue Mountain Eagle are taken from the logs of law enforcement agencies. Every effort is made to report the court disposition of arrest cases. Grant County Circuit Court Debra L. Shawn, 64, Mt. Vernon, was acquitted by a jury June 7 of driving under the infl uence of intoxicants allegedly committed on March 18, 2018. A charge of unlaw- ful possession of metham- phetamine against Ivan T. Rodriguez, 33, Boardman, allegedly committed April 3, 2014, was dismissed June 11 following a motion to dismiss by the district attorney citing the best interests of justice. A pro- bation violation charge was dismissed and an arrest warrant was recalled. Grant County Sheriff The Grant County Sher- iff’s Offi ce reported the following for the week of June 12: Concealed handgun licenses: 5 Average inmates: 19 Bookings: 9 Releases: 6 Arrests: 0 Citations: 1 Fingerprints: 3 Civil papers: 8 Warrants processed: 1 Asst./welfare check: 1 Search and rescue: 1 June 10: Shea Pogue, 18, Kimberly, was cited for violating the basic rule, 70/55 zone. Oregon State Police June 10: Anthony J. Capaldo, 62, was taken into custody and lodged at the Grant County Jail on an arrest warrant for contempt of court. June 13: A vehicle was towed after a noninjury crash on Highway 395 near mile post 116. The opera- tor was cited for failing to maintain lane. June 15: A Fish and Wildlife trooper assisted Grant County deputies responding to a report of domestic violence. Ian E. Humbird, 23, Canyon City, was arrested. Dispatch John Day dispatch worked 164 calls during the week of June 10-16, including: • John Day Police Department June 10: Responded to a report of suspicious cir- cumstances at a John Day business. June 10: Responded with John Day fi re to a report of a porch fi re. June 12: Illegal fi re- works were reported on Third Street Extension. June 13: Cited Edward M. Thornton, 65, of Myrtle Point for a speeding viola- tion, 65/35 zone. June 13: Cited Hope Kindle, 50, of John Day for speeding, 30/20 zone. June 13: Received a call about harassment on East Main Street in John Day. June 14: Cited Ashlie Clark, 27, of John Day for driving while suspended and uninsured. June 14: Responded to a report of harassment on Southwest Brent Street. June 15: Cited Joseph Tirico, 55, of Mt. Ver- non for driving while sus- pended and uninsured. June 15: David Kreger, 26, of Prairie City was arrested for a restraining order violation. • Grant County Sher- iff’s Offi ce June 10: Responded to a report of a fi re on County Road 18. June 11: An injured ani- mal was reported on High- way 395 South. June 12: A fi ght was reported on Bumpy Road. June 12: Responded with John Day and Mon- ument ambulances and Monument fi re to a UTV crash on Highway 402. June 13: A suspicious subject was reported on gon! For the first time in Eastern Ore VETERAN BENEFIT EXPO19 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M. SATURDAY, JULY 27TH PENDLETON CONVENTION CENTER Learn about all of your Federal and State benefits Under one roof! NEW THIS YEAR: Veterans town hall meeting with odva director kelly fitzpatrick 6 p.m. july 26 same location WZ^Ed/EWZdEZ^,/Wz 100004 W W W. E X P O.O R E G O N D VA .C O M SAUNDERS/FAMILY & FRIENDS REUNION Dates: June 21, 22 and 23 Place(s): Holliday Park and Mt. Vernon Community Hall Friday June21: Holliday Park 12:00 to Evening Meals …Potluck Saturday June 22: Mt Vernon Community Hall Meals Breakfast 8-10 am: Pancakes by Family Noon: Potluck Evening: Potluck Sunday June 23: Mt Vernon Community Hall Meal: Breakfast 8-10 am: continental Potluck Who: All related Family’s: Johns/ Osbornes/Springers/Gibbs/Others Silent Auction: All Participants Welcome Contact #: (541) 620-2392 120040
