COVID-19
Blue Mountain Eagle
Five counties cleared for ‘lower
risk’ because of vaccination rates
By Mark Miller
Oregon Capital Bureau
Five
Oregon
coun-
ties — including Washing-
ton County, the state’s sec-
ond-most populous — moved
to the most permissive risk
category for the spread of
COVID-19 Friday, May 21.
Gov.
Kate
Brown
announced May 18 that at
least 65% of residents age
16 and older in Benton,
Deschutes, Hood River, Lin-
coln and Washington coun-
ties have received at least one
dose of a COVID-19 vaccine,
and that those counties have
also fulfilled her requirement
to submit an “equity plan”
to demonstrate how they’ll
improve vaccination rates
among demographics that are
lagging behind the general
population. Because of that,
Brown said, those five coun-
ties can move to the “lower
risk” designation — clearing
the way for larger gatherings
and more business activities.
Washington County has
been in the “high risk” cat-
egory because its COVID-
19 case counts have been
above 100 per 100,000 res-
idents in recent weeks. That
limits indoor dining capacity
to 25% at most restaurants,
Eagle file photo
Rebekah Rand, emergency
medical services director with
the Blue Mountain Hospital
District prepares a vaccine shot
at a January vaccine clinic at
the Grant County Fairgrounds.
limits gymnasiums and other
indoor recreation and fitness
establishments to quarter-ca-
pacity as well, restricts stores
to half-occupancy, and puts
a 15% cap on the number of
spectators at outdoor sporting
events, among other restric-
tions. Residents of “high risk”
counties are also asked not to
gather in groups larger than
eight people, or six people for
indoor gatherings.
“Lower risk” significantly
relaxes those limits. Indoor din-
ing and exercise are allowed
up to 50% of maximum occu-
pancy, stores can welcome up
to 75% of their normal maxi-
mum occupancy, and outdoor
venues like Ron Tonkin Field
in Hillsboro can fill up to half
of their available seats.
Businesses under “high
risk” are also asked to recom-
mend that employees work
remotely when possible.
That’s not the case under the
“lower risk” designation.
Data released by the Ore-
gon Health Authority showed
Deschutes, Lincoln and Wash-
ington counties were a little
short of the 65% threshold
Brown set earlier this month
for COVID-19 restrictions to
be relaxed. But Brown said
once the state factored in vac-
cine doses administered at
federal facilities and vaccina-
tion events, those three coun-
ties cleared the bar.
Multnomah County is also
at the 65% threshold, Oregon
Health Authority data shows.
But the county has not yet sub-
mitted an equity plan. Port-
land-based Willamette Week
reported Monday, May 17,
that the state’s most populous
county plans to wait at least one
more week before it applies to
move to “lower risk.”
Multnomah County Chair
Deborah Kafoury said last
week that it will take time
for the county to develop an
equity plan and submit it to
the Brown administration for
approval.
BUSINESS MANAGER—GRANT COUNTY ESD
Grant County ESD is seeking a Business Manager/Deputy Clerk. The business manager directs the op-
erations of the Fiscal Services Department to provide effective and efficient business services to schools
and the ESD and to assist the superintendents in providing the best possible administrative services to
constituent district employees and ESD personnel with the financial and human resources available.
The Business Manager/Deputy Clerk will often work beyond an eight-hour day and a five-day week to
take care of daily work, attend meetings, conferences and district/school activities. The business manag-
er must have extensive knowledge of GAAP, budget laws and regulations, demonstrated knowledge of
the audit process. Must have excellent communication, problem-solving and small-group process skills.
Must frequently make decisions; use independent judgment and/or independent action; mentor, use
discretion; and analyze problems. Ability to verbally respond to common inquiries from various people.
Frequently present and teach or train. Must have the ability to read and interpret documents, write
routine reports and correspondence. Confidentiality is crucial. Workloads are heavy and timelines can
be unreasonably short and inflexible. Requests and issues are often received which require immediate
attention and conflict with other priorities.
Position reports to the superintendent, supervises the fiscal services personnel, and is ultimately respon-
sible for the day-to-day operations of the Fiscal Services Department.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Enforces district accounting practices and policies to affirm that all financial records are maintained
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Governmental Accounting Stan-
dards Board (GASB), district policies, and federal, state, and local laws or regulations.
• Researches, interprets, and understands current and proposed regulations, accounting principles, and
other statutory requirements.
• Provides management and oversight or performs the following accounting services and activities:
accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, contracts, fixed assets, general ledger, payroll,
purchasing, grant accounting, student body funds, debt management, ADM student reporting and
accounting, and treasury.
• Provides counsel, expertise, and guidance to the superintendent, the boards, district staff, administra-
tors, in financial and human resource matters.
• Oversees grant accounting including expenditure reporting and auditing of expenditures to submitted
budgets
• Oversee and manage the software accounting system for district revenues and expenditures and cash
management in accordance with generally accepted government accounting principles and district
policy.
• Assists, leads and directs the budget process in accordance with Local Budget Law; coordinates,
plans, and oversees the development of the district budget; monitors budget expenditures to ensure
compliance and a positive financial status, in accordance with District, State and Federal Guidelines,
and GASB Standards
• Performs a variety of revenue forecasts and cash flow analysis; prepares revenue and expenditure
projections; invests funds for safety of principal, liquidity, and for maximum return.
• Attends all school board meetings; take minutes, prepare and present reports/responses related to the
financial status of the district and other matters under their responsibility.
• Communicates effectively with customers at all levels (management, clerical support, regulatory
officials, and component district personnel) to clearly ascertain the concerns raised and respond
courteously, promptly, and accurately.
• Maintain general ledger; generate reconciled monthly financial statements, prepare journal entries as
needed.
• Manage, report, and draw down funds for all district state and federal grants.
• Oversee internal auditing system to ensure accurate tracking of financial information in preparation
for yearly external audit.
• Maintain records required by district policy and state statute, including bid files, contract, etc.
Prepare and submit reports and records required by state and federal agencies and district superinten-
dents.
• Responsible for monthly payments of employee insurance premiums and payments to savings plan(s)
as selected by the employee.
• Responsible for monthly PERS payments and reconciliation of the account.
• Responsible for maintenance of current and accurate files on all active and inactive employees as
related to payroll records, insurance, PERS, and leave reporting.
• Provide Human Resource services for all employees, including assisting with health insurance options,
PERS, life insurance, etc.
• Responsible for accurate monthly payroll. Prepare payroll checks and direct deposition stubs for
distribution and maintain payroll records, prepare ACH for bank, ensure all payroll liabilities (including
federal and state taxes) are correct and paid timely. Prepare all quarterly and annual payroll reports.
• Perform other tasks and work-related duties as requested by the superintendent.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or a comparable field or evidence of equivalent knowledge of ac-
counting principles, data processing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll procedures.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Government Accounting Standards with five years of progressively
responsible governmental fund accounting, preferably in a public school or educational institution.
• Demonstrated skills in accounting software, data processing, spreadsheets, and word processing (such
as Visions Fund Accounting system, MS Word, and Excel).
• Ability to operate standard office equipment with 10-key proficiency.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to exercise judgment and integrity on the job with confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining a high degree of
accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive and confidential information related to personnel,
employee contracts, and legal matters affecting the district(s).
• Must be bondable and never been refused a bond.
COMPENSATION: The position is full-time and year round. The compensation package is competitive
with similarly sized districts and negotiable based on experience. Candidates must possess, or be able to
obtain, an Oregon Driver’s license and pass a background check including fingerprints
Timeline: Applications will be accepted immediately and duties will begin as soon as the successful
applicant is available.
APPLICATION PACKET CONTENTS:
• A completed application form from Grant County ESD (http://www.grantesd.k12.or.us/employment.
html)
• A resume including three current references
All Application materials will be sent to:
Grant County ESD
attn: Robert Waltenburg, Superintendent
835A S. Canyon Blvd.
John Day, OR 97845
Applications may also be dropped off at the above location during regular business hours.
Grant County Education Service District is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable state
and federal statutes and regulations in employment and district programs. Equal employment opportunity and
treatment shall be provided in recruiting, hiring, retaining, transferring, promoting, and training of all employees
regardless of the individual’s race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, or
disability.
S246190-1
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Oregon Employment Department
to reinstate work search rules
State does not plan
to stop supplemental
benefits early
By Peter Wong
Oregon Capital Bureau
Work search requirements
will resume in stages for more
than 100,000 Oregon work-
ers who receive unemployment
benefits, now that the economic
downturn triggered by the coro-
navirus pandemic is easing.
But unlike more than 20
states — all of them with
Republican governors — Ore-
gon has no plans to stop supple-
mental federal unemployment
benefits before their scheduled
end on Sept. 4.
“The pandemic-related fed-
eral programs have created a
lifeline for people whose liveli-
hoods were affected by COVID-
19,” said David Gerstenfeld,
acting director of the Oregon
Employment Department, in
a weekly conference call with
reporters.
“We do not want those who
need those benefits to lose
access to them before the pro-
grams end. While we are watch-
ing current economic condi-
tions, we do not have any plans
to end the federal benefit plans
early.”
The supplemental federal
benefit amounts to $300 per
week. It is in addition to reg-
ular benefits drawn from the
state unemployment trust fund,
which comes from employer
contributions, and special fed-
eral benefit programs created
during the pandemic.
Some states will start opt-
ing out of the federal benefits as
soon as June 12.
At the onset of the pan-
demic, when they received an
avalanche of claims, Oregon
and other states did suspend
legal requirements for people
to search for work, be available
for work and register with state
workforce agencies as condi-
tions for receiving benefits.
The pandemic emergency
declared by Gov. Kate Brown
almost 15 months ago, renewed
every 60 days, is scheduled
to expire June 28. Although
Republican minorities want the
Oregon Legislature to repeal
her orders now — Democratic
majorities have declined so far
to take any steps to do so —
Brown has said “I fully intend
to reopen our economy” by the
next deadline.
As her benchmark for drop-
ping most pandemic restrictions,
Brown has set 70% of Oregon’s
population age 16 and older get-
ting at least one vaccination.
She says she thinks that goal is
achievable by June.
Oregon’s statewide vaccina-
tion rate against COVID-19 for
eligible people was 62.7% as of
Thursday, May 20. But the rate
varies from a low of 32.5% in
Lake County to a high of 67.6%
in Benton County. Multnomah
and Washington counties have
met or exceeded 65%; Clacka-
mas County trails at 58.5%.
Gerstenfeld said, in advance
of any potential action, peo-
ple receiving unemployment
benefits will be notified about
registering with the agency’s
iMatchSkills system for jobs
and meeting either face to face
or virtually with staff from
WorkSource Oregon. The lat-
ter is a partnership of public and
private agencies serving individ-
uals and businesses.
“These requirements are
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starting back up again, and
people will need to meet those
requirements by designated
dates to be eligible to continue
receiving benefits,” he said.
“This will be a new experi-
ence for some people currently
receiving unemployment ben-
efits. We want to make sure
everyone receiving benefits
understands what the require-
ments are and knows what to
do to continue receiving bene-
fits. As the pandemic begins to
fade and the economy changes,
we are still focused on how we
can help fuel economic recov-
ery and help Oregonians over-
come challenges related to
employment.”
Gerstenfeld has said supple-
mental federal benefits are not a
factor in deterring people from
returning to work.
Among factors that the
agency will consider in
reemployment, he said, are
a lack of child care available
for workers, lingering fear of
COVID infection via jobs that
require close contact with the
public and inadequate skills
required for people to take new
jobs.
Gerstenfeld did not specify
what will happen with self-em-
ployed and gig workers who
receive federal benefits known
as Pandemic Unemployment
Assistance. Many were not cov-
ered by unemployment ben-
efits until Congress approved
the new program as part of the
CARES Act in March 2020.
Although Oregon has
regained about 60% of the jobs
lost since the low point of the
pandemic in April 2020 — and
the state’s latest economic fore-
cast projects far more in tax col-
lections and a $1.4 billion rebate
to taxpayers next year — state
economist Mark McMullen
also says Oregon will return to
prepandemic employment lev-
els by the fourth quarter of 2022.
According to the most
recent report by the Employ-
ment Department, permanent
job losses now account for the
largest group of unemployed
workers. The number of work-
ers without jobs for at least
one year, the long-term unem-
ployed, is at its highest point in
nine years.
Please remember
all those who gave the
ultimate sacrifice for our country!
Remember to wear red on Friday!
R.E.D. - Remember Everyone Deployed
S243647-1
Blue Mountain Chiropractic • 541-575-1063
REMEMBERING OUR
SOLDIERS
“The United State flag does
not fly because the wind
moves past it... The United
States flag flies from the last
breath of each military member
who has died protecting it”
This Memorial Day
honor those who has
served and protected
this great country.
Virginia L. McMillan, DDS, PC
S243941-1
General Family Dentistry • New Patients & Emergencies Welcome
150 Ogilvie Drive • John Day • 541-575-0550 • www.johndaysmiles.com