During its meeting on July 3, the Harney County Court agreed to send a letter to Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno requesting an objective oversight review of the origin and year-to-year expenditures that caused the county to spend approximately $2.3 million more (during a five-year period) than was received in annual revenue.

“Whether you can help with a special investigation, a narrow-scope audit, or technical assistance, we stand ready to welcome and cooperate with your office to help find objective answers and accountability for the people of Harney County,” the letter states. “If this is a matter more suitable for referral to a different state agency or entity, we welcome your advice and referral.”

Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens noted that the Harney County Budget Committee allocated funding for a limited-scope audit in the approved budget.

Regarding the letter, Owens explained that, “The community is still looking for that second set of eyes, other than our current auditor, to make sure nothing unlawful was done with the funds.” He said, “I strongly feel nothing illegal occurred,” but added, “We need somebody else to verify that.”

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The court wrote a letter to the people of Harney County to explain the financial shortfall and discuss the steps that the court has taken/will take to address it.

Owens said he thinks the letter is a “ good summary of where we’re at today and some of the fund transfers that had to occur,” and he appreciates Harney County Commissioner Patty Dorroh for taking the lead on writing it.

Owens said he believes the average citizen won’t see a difference in services, but the budget is extremely tight and will continue to be tight for several years. He said the county hopes to raise its income, but the cost to provide services increases faster than income increases. However, he said the court will conduct strategic planning to minimize the effects.

“We’re out of the lake, but we still got a lot of puddles,” Harney County Judge Pete Runnels said.

Find the court’s letter here.

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The court discussed draft bylaws for the Harney County Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC).

The committee will advise the court on the needs and priorities of the county’s natural resources; provide substantial comments for the National Environmental Policy Act process; and work through implementation of the county’s land use plan.

NRAC will have a maximum of nine members who must live in Harney County and identify two areas of interest from the following selection:

• agriculture and livestock production;

• timber and wood products production;

• recreation;

• hunting and fishing;

• the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center;

• cultural resources; and

• natural resources stewardship through the continuation of the customs, culture, health, safety, and economic stability of Harney County.

Committee meetings will be open to the public. Representatives from agencies such as the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will be encouraged to attend, so that they can answer the committee’s questions.

Anyone who is interested in serving on the NRAC can submit a letter of interest by 5 p.m. on Aug. 5 to the Harney County Court at 450 N. Buena Vista Ave., Burns, Oregon 97720. Letters can also be emailed to mark.owens@co.harney.or.us.

The court already received a letter from Cam Swisher.

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The court held a public hearing to discuss vacating portions of Crane’s Main Avenue, Fifth Street, Sixth Street, Donaldson Avenue, and Leland Street. The county was asked to vacate right of ways that go through school grounds.

Harney County Roads Supervisor Eric Drushella recommended the vacation, explaining that the roads serve no useful purpose and currently traverse through or next to school structures. If the roads are vacated, school buildings and other structures will no longer encroach onto the county right of way, but all utility easements will remain in place for continued maintenance.

Owens said the vacation will address a public safety issue, explaining that the school can’t conduct a lockdown with the right of way in place.

The right of way also prevents the school from building a bus barn and making improvements.

Dave Doman asked to vacate all of Donaldson Avenue. Owens said the hearing was to address school grounds, but Doman can start a separate vacation process.

Cheryl Smith noted that the fire hall, which is located on the other end of Sixth Street, is being blocked.

The court closed the hearing at 10:55 a.m. and will consider passing a resolution during its next meeting.

Crane Superintendent Matt Hawley thanked Drushella and the court for their assistance and said he’ll continue the process by having the area surveyed.

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In other business, the court:

• received an update from Owens regarding the lawsuit that three environmental groups filed against the BLM regarding the Hammonds’ grazing allotment.

In mid-July, the judge will determine whether to continue the restraining order or allow grazing to resume until the case can be heard.

Owens reminded the community that the Burns BLM is not making decisions regarding the Hammonds’ allotment.

He said, “These are state and national issues.”

Runnels said the county received an email from someone who was upset that the court “sided with the Hammonds.”

Runnels explained that the court considers the lawsuit “an attack on the industry,” and Owens noted that the court is trying to help the BLM’s position;

• approved Buck and Linda Taylor’s application to purchase county-owned land (account number 8277). A public bid will be held and advertised in the Burns Times-Herald;

• appointed Jennifer Williams to the Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization Community Advisory Council;

• will send a letter to Malheur National Forest Supervisor Craig Trulock regarding the Draft Decision Notice for the Rattlesnake Hazardous Fuel Reduction Project as well as setting up a work session to discuss future project communication;

• approved Resolution 2019-20, declaring part of Malheur Lake Basin a Groundwater Area of Concern.

The resolution states that, “All local recommendations should be evaluated with OWRD [Oregon Water Resources Department] in addressing our declining groundwater levels. These recommendations should include, but not be limited to, development or implementation of water markets, conservation projects, alternative crops, volunteer agreements, efficiency upgrades, and water districts. In order to help accomplish this, Harney County approves of applying for the WaterSmart grant from the Bureau of Reclamation.”

Owens said his goal is to give the community more flexibility;

• discussed Public Notices of Water Use Requests;

• received and opened two bids for an extension on the bus barn at the Harney County Senior and Community Services Center.

Angela Lamborn, the center’s executive director, explained that funding for the extension comes from federal transportation grant dollars that were set aside within the state for capital projects.

Lamborn will review the bids and provide a recommendation to the court;

• received a letter from Trulock regarding a training session that might be held in the John Day area.

“The Forest Service wants to have a two-day class training on how to become a government contractor [and] how to register in the SAM (System for Award Management) so you can actually bid on contracts, bid on timber sales, and bid on recreation activities,” Owens explained.

The next county court meeting will be held Wednesday, July 17, at 10 a.m. in Runnels’ office at the courthouse. The following meeting will be held Aug. 7. The meeting that was originally scheduled for Aug. 21 was rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 20.