NEWS
MyEagleNews.com
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Community Health Beat
Dick Mason/The Observer, File
Deputy Morris Capers, with the Union County Sheriff ’s Offi ce, on
Friday, May 20, 2022, returns to his vehicle after checking out the
Elgin Stampede Grounds during his patrol.
Elgin decides to stick
with sheriff ’s offi ce
tion. Increases greater than
4% for materials and services
would be negotiated between
LA GRANDE — It’s offi - the city and county.
cial: A new six-year law
In another action item the
enforcement contract between Union County Board of Com-
the Union County Sheriff ’s missioners voted to adopt a
Offi ce and the city of Elgin is total budget of $58.447 mil-
in place.
lion for 2022-23, up 14%
The Union County Board from the 2021-22 budget. The
of Commissioners voted to spending plan calls for Union
ratify the contract at its meet- County to keep all of its posi-
ing on Wednesday, June 29, tions and programs except for
eight days after the
two corrections posi-
the Elgin City Coun-
tions. The corrections
cil approved the con-
offi cer positions are
tract on June 21. The
being cut due to rising
city council did so
personnel costs and
after voting against
because some reve-
a proposed contract
nue the county antic-
to retain the services
ipated receiving for
Bowen
of the Union County
the positions did not
Sheriff ’s offi ce in
materialize, according
May.
to Shelley Burgess, the admin-
The council intended to istrative and budget offi cer for
reestablish Elgin’s police Union County.
department to replace the
Burgess said four correc-
enhanced law enforcement tions positions were added
services Elgin has been receiv- a year ago with approval of
ing from the Union County the budget committee and
Sheriff ’s Offi ce for about 10 that two of these positions
years. Had the Elgin City are now being cut. She said at
Council not changed course, the time the budget commit-
the Union County Sheriff ’s tee believed the county would
Offi ce would have laid off two receive grants and other fund-
of the three deputies that cur- ing that would help pay for the
rently serve Elgin. The deputy four positions.
who would not have been laid
“The grants and funding
off would have been trans- we were hoping for did not
ferred to an open position in come in fully,” Burgess said.
the Union County Sheriff ’s
Of the two positions to be
Offi ce.
cut, one is unfi lled, which
Union County Sheriff Cody means the reductions will
Bowen said after the vote he result in one layoff . In another
would be writing letters to action item, the board of com-
offi cially tell the two deputies, missioners voted on June
who would have been laid off , 29 to approve the distribu-
that their positions are secure. tion funding from the Union
“I will tell them that their County’s Transient Room
jobs are no longer in jeop- Tax, also known as its motel
ardy,” Bowen said after the tax.
meeting.
The board voted to pro-
Under the terms of the new vide the Union County Fair
contract, which took eff ect Association with a grant of
Friday, July 1, Elgin will con- just more than $26,000 for a
tinue to receive a minimum of bleacher replacement proj-
420 hours of law enforcement ect; a total of $30,000 to
services a month. The city will the Eastern Oregon Live-
pay Union County $315,400 stock Show for the first two
in 2022-23 for law enforce- phases of its exterior light-
ment services, $337,603 in ing project, $6,500 for the
2023-24 and $350,771 in 2022 Eastern Oregon Film
2024-25 during the fi rst three Festival, $3,000 for the city
years of the pact.
of Union’s Fireworks Com-
The payments the city of mittee for this year’s Fourth
Elgin will make during the of July celebration and just
fi nal three years of the con- more than $2,200 for the
tract will be dependent on Union County Chamber of
the cost of living increases Commerce for its crop tour
granted to Union Coun- video project.
ty’s sheriff ’s deputies. The
The
distributions
increases will be negotiated approved by the board had
by the Union County Sheriff ’s all been recommended to it
Offi ce with the Union County by Union County’s Transient
Law Enforcement Associa- Room Tax Committee.
By DICK MASON
The Observer
STRUCTION, LL
N
O
C
C
AW
Featuring:
•
•
•
•
•
Roofing
• General Construction
Remodeling
Fences
Decks
Storage Sheds
Andy Wolfer
541-910-6609
and
Much
More!
What's new at BMHD?
When: July 25th
Where: Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic
Time: 8am - 4pm
Call ahead to schedule an appointment:
541-575-0404
All kids who attend will receive a Yeti water bottle
Available for sudden, non-emergent
symptoms.
Dates: July 9th & 30th
8am - 4pm
Call to schedule 541-575-0404
The BMH Any Thyme Cafe is
back open to the public - come
enjoy a meal with us!
Join us the second Tuesday of each month starting in July for a complementary
catered meal while you enjoy a talk on health and wellness topics from your
local healthcare providers/professionals. After we eat, we’ll take a walk around
beautiful 7th Street Complex. A new topic will be presented each month.
What Time: Dinner will begin at 5:30 pm and a walk around the complex will
follow.
Where: Dinner will be served at the Veteran Memorial Picnic Shelter @ 7th
Street
When: July 12th, August 9th, September 13th
This is a FREE event and people of all ages are invited!
In collaboration with: John Day/Canyon City Parks & Rec, Community Counseling Solutions & Grant
County Community Health Improvement Coalition
Register now for August prenatal/postpartum classes by
visiting our website. Classes are FREE, dinner is provided.
Dates: August 17th, 24th, 31st.
5:30pm-8:00pm
Recruiter | Human Resources - (Full Time)
Staff Accountant | Finance - (Full Time)
CCB#186113
Activities Director | Care Center - (Full Time)
Referral Coordinator | Clinic - (Full Time)
Many other full-time, part-time & casual positions open,
visit our website for more information & to apply.
Blue Mountain Healthcare Foundation
Fundraiser Golf Scramble
Saturday, July 16th, 2022
John Day Golf Club
www.bluemountainhospital.org
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