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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2023)
50¢ VOL. 143 NO. 36 8 Pages Wednesday, September 6, 2023 Morrow County, Heppner, Oregon Health district talks accomplishments, credit lines at Aug. 28 meeting By Andrea Di Salvo The Morrow County Health District Board heard a long list of accomplish- ments for the past fiscal year at its last meeting but was also faced with a pos- sible shortfall in cash flow, thanks in part to hiccups with a new software. Regarding cash flow concerns, the MCHD board approved a tax anticipation note with the Bank of East- ern Oregon for up to $2.5 million at its meeting Aug. 28 in Heppner. MCHD Chief Oper- ating Officer Nicole Ma- honey requested the board approve the line of credit due to an anticipated cash shortfall between now and when the district receives its next tax payments in November. “In the event that we need to draw ahead to cov- er cash flow and operation ahead of receiving those tax proceeds from that first dis- tribution,” she explained. The district usually gets the bulk of its tax proceeds at the end of November. Last year that amount was around $2.7 million. The total tax levy the district expects to receive for the fiscal year is $3.5 million. Mahoney said that $3.5 million is a conservative number and that the district is assured of getting the taxes because they have already been levied. At the same time, Ma- honey said the district needs the line of credit because it has seen some cash flow disruption with its conver- sion to Thrive, with claims being delayed. “We’re working on it diligently, but there’s still a delay,” said Mahoney. “We’ll still collect them but not in the time frame are accustomed to in terms of keeping our cash flow rolling.” Mahoney said another reason for the ask was the significant number of cost increases the health district incurred this year. “We won’t receive the cash from those until the cost report is settled,” she said, adding that it would likely be January. “A couple of those delays could cause significant cash flow burden for us.” She said the Bank of EO is willing to lend to MCHD on a line of credit up to $2.5 million. Any- thing borrowed will be paid back as soon as the district receives its tax distribution from the county. “It’s really just bor- rowing in anticipation of getting them,” she said. “I don’t honestly think that we’re going to need to draw that. We may need to draw some of it.” MCHD Board Mem- ber John Murray said he agreed. “And, boy, Thrive is a real challenge, that’s all I can say,” said Murray. “The software is not very supportive of operations in my opinion.” “Everybody’s in a tough situation in health- care here, in the whole state,” said MCHD Board Vice Chair Diane Kilken- ny, adding that a hospital in Eugene just closed and Oregon Health and Science University is absorbing Legacy Health. The board approved the tax anticipation note -Continued to PAGE SIX Robbins retires from Morrow County Sheriff’s Office Morrow County mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus A mosquito pool captured in Morrow County in August has tested positive for West Nile virus. - Contributed photo West Nile virus was detected in a mosquito pool captured Aug. 21 on the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge according to the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab- oratory. North Morrow Vector Control District Manager Gregory Barron says they are advising people in Mor- row County to take precau- tions against mosquitoes to avoid the risk of infection, including preventing mos- quito bites. West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mos- quito. About 80 percent of people infected with West Nile do not develop symptoms, while one in five might develop a fever with -Continued to PAGE FIVE Heppner hires new city manager John Doherty Local man John Doherty has been hired as the new Heppner City Manager, the Heppner City Council announced this week. As city manager, Doherty will oversee the city’s business and commu- nity affairs. “I am excited and eager to take on this new task, and to serve the city, taking care of day-to-day issues and concerns, and meeting the needs of the various city commissions and commit- tees,” said Doherty. Morrow County Sheriff John Bowles (left) congratulates Morrow County Parole and Probation Lt. Dan Robbins (right) upon Doherty is a long-time Heppner native, raised in the Sand Hollow area. He attended Carroll College in Montana, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business management. Doherty comes to the city with a variety of work experience. He has spent time in the construction trade, employed in framing, roofing and concrete work. He has held supervisory roles in the food processing industry and, most recently, was employed by the Bank of Eastern Oregon. He is involved in the Heppner community as a current city council mem- ber and is an officer in the local Elks Lodge. He is also a member of the Heppner IOOF Lodge. Doherty is to start at city hall mid-September. Citizens are encouraged to stop by city hall and wel- come him to the new job. his retirement. Robbins retired earlier this year after 13 years with Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. Robbins did not only work for parole and probation; he was instrumental in setting up and organizing the parole and probation division begin- ning in 2010. Robbins also received a plaque in recognition of his service. “Your hard work has developed this division into the effective community service it is today,” the plaque stated. “Thank you for your 13 years of service to Morrow County.” -Photo courtesy of MCSO Public use restrictions eased on the Umatilla Federal grant gives local dairy a solar boost National Forest Terry Felda’s business, Tin Willow Sheep Dairy, has operated in South Morrow for more than a decade. It will receive money for new solar panels this year through a government grant. -File photo A local sheep dairy will be getting some new solar panels thanks to a grant from the Rural En- ergy for America Program (REAP) program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week. Ti n Wi l low S heep Dairy of Lexington, owned by Terry Felda, will receive $11,824 to purchase and install an 8.76 kilowatt (kW) roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system on top of its dairy building. The system is expected to generate 9,775 kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable electricity per year, which is enough energy to power one home. According to a USDA press release, the solar array will replace 55 percent of Tin Willow’s energy use with renewable electricity, reducing Felda’s utility bill by $782 per year. Felda’s dairy is one of 1,334 renewable ener- gy and energy-efficiency projects in 47 states, Guam and Puerto Rico to receive a combined $266 million in loans and grants through REAP, including funding from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. “Creating opportuni- ty for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small busi- nesses,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “These once-in-a-generation in- vestments in renewable energy, like wind and so- lar, and energy efficient technologies create new markets and deliver real cost savings for our small and mid-sized agricultural operations and Main Street businesses, building and keeping wealth in rural America.” The Department ex- pects to make addition- al awards in the coming months. Eligible applicants include rural small business owners and agricultural producers. USDA continues to accept applications and will hold funding competitions quarterly through Sept. 30, 2024. The funding includes $144.5 million for underuti- lized renewable energy technologies. As of late last month, and just in time for hunting season, Umatilla National Forest officials have re- duced public use restric- tions (PURs) to Phase A, which is the first level of re- strictions that are generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high. PURS are phased in collectively, as conditions warrant, and may differ from forest to forest. Re- strictions under Phase A include: Chainsaws may be op- erated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one-hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw op- -Continued to PAGE TWO CALL 541-989-8221 ext 204 for more information
