The following are the unapproved minutes from the Harney County Court meetings held Nov. 4 and Nov. 23. These minutes have been edited for clarity and length:

Chris Siegner and staff from Symmetry Care were present to update the court. Harney County contracts with Symmetry Care for Mental Health Services.

Jason Sanchez, addiction supervisor, and Amy Dobson, wellness supervisor, provided a general overview of current treatment plans.

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Director Jodi McLean and Compliance Officer Markie Sykes of Home Health and Hospice provided an update regarding compliance and assurance programing as well as community outreach.

Mclean reported that the recent state review was completed with only one deficiency. One policy change was required, and it has been completed.

Mclean added that the department will be starting a mobile foot clinic soon and is working to implement a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program.

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Mike Simpson, special projects coordinator for Training & Employment Consortium (TEC) Oregon Youth Conservation Corps (OYCC) program, attended via phone to request funding from the former Commission on Children and Families Fund, which is now held by the county in the amount of $12,500 for the program. Commissioner Patty Dorroh moved to approve funding the TEC OYCC program, Commissioner Kristen Shelman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

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The court reviewed Resolution 2020-24 in the matter of intra-fund transfer of appropriations within categories for Public Health – RHC Fund 245.

Judge Pete Runnels explained that the resolution would transfer funding from a contract line to a personnel services line. Dorroh moved to approve the resolution. Shelman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The court reviewed Resolution 2020-25 in the matter of appropriating funds due to unexpected occurrence or condition in Road Fund 202 and Weed Department Fund 230.

Treasurer Bobbi Jo Heany explained that the resolution is needed to contract with Bureau of Land Management for Medusa head weed spraying. It increases the revenue line and expense line in this department due to that contract. Shelman moved to adopt the resolution, Dorroh seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The court reviewed Resolution 2020-26 in the matter of transferring appropriations within categories for General Fund 101, County Clerk’s Department 003 and HR Department 030.

Heany explained that the resolution is needed because the accounts payable responsibility was fully transfered to the county clerk’s department. Dorroh moved to adopt the resolution. Shelman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

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Dorroh read aloud a proclamation declaring Nov. 11, 2020 as Veteran’s Day in Harney County. Runnels moved to adopt the proclamation, Shelman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

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County Clerk Derrin Robinson recognized the American Legion for serving as Special Deputy County Clerks as part of the ballot drop site collection team this election, and he thanked them for their continued service.

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Dorroh moved to appoint Russ Clark to the Wolf Committee. Shelman seconded, and the motion carried.

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The court continued its discussion regarding building department incentives for new or rehabilitation construction.

The building department provided a sample of a discounted fee schedule for permit fees that would be a rebate process. This would require a resolution allowing for rebates.

A general discussion ensued regarding the percentage of rebate possible. The court was open to a 40 percent rebate and will research language for a resolution, which will be presented at a future county court session.

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The Court reviewed notices of water use requests. There were no objections to any requests

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The court discussed incentives on new home construction. Shelman said she thinks it could be a trial and error process, but she feels a 40 percent discount on development fees is a good starting point. Runnels and county counsel will draft a resolution outlining the program for the court to review.

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The court reviewed Resolution 2020-27 in the matter of appropriating funds due to unexpected occurrence or condition in General Fund 101, County Clerk’s Department 103, relating to grant funds received for capital outlay for elections security and COVID-19. Dorroh moved to approve Resolution 2020-27, Shelman seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

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The court reviewed Resolution 2020-28 in the matter of intra-fund transfer of appropriations within categories for Indirect Cost for Forfeitures Fund 238, as indirect costs expense was more than anticipated. Shelman moved to approve Resolution 2020-28 and Dorroh seconded. The court discussed the need for this resolution and the likelihood that this expense was understated during the budget process and may need to be increased in future budgets. The motion carried unanimously.

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County Assessor Karen Zabala asked the court to provide direction regarding which accounts should be placed on the resale tax foreclosure list. The court will review the entire list and make a determination during a future meeting. The matter was tabled.

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The court reviewed a proposed order approving petition for county land sale of Account 48054. Shelman moved to approve the order, Dorroh seconded, and motion carried unanimously.

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The court reviewed applications for appointment to the Harney County Fair Board. Shelman said she had conversations with current members, and some are willing to step off the board if new individuals are interested in serving. She would rather delay to ensure both persons aren’t desiring the same position on the board. The court agreed by consensus to table the decision until the next meeting.

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The court discussed the Governor’s Executive Order No 20-65. Dorroh and Shelman reiterated their concerns regarding the separation of power and legal authority. Dorroh mentioned the letter that the county court signed, along with regional legislators and county commissioners and judges, asking for a variety of changes in the COVID-19 metrics and mandates in Eastern Oregon counties. A copy of the letter is filed in the Commissioner’s Journal. The court briefly discussed conversations with county counsel and being included as interveners if the need arises. Dorroh mentioned the possibility for a formal resolution.

Runnels said, “If the numbers keep climbing, there is room to say the problem isn’t necessarily the restaurant industry, so why keep them closed?”

Runnels will keep Andrea Letham with Biz Harney involved and informed. He also expressed how important it is to distributed dollars that come to Harney County as quickly as possible.

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The court was joined by Harney District Hospital (HDH) CEO Dan Grigg and Harney County Public Health Director Nick Calvin regarding the COVID-19 situation.

Dorroh asked Grigg to provide an update on staffing, hospital capacity, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Grigg stated that year-to-date, HDH has had 14 COVID-19 positive employees, and 11 are quarantined at this time. He stated that staffing is his biggest concern, as night nurses carry the biggest impact. He also discussed testing protocols and vaccine distribution when it arrives. Grigg stated that there are currently no hospitalizations here, having just lost the first COVID-positive patient at HDH. He said our hospital can handle a couple at a time.

The court offered to help in any way possible.

Grigg said, “It is simply here now, and we have to deal with it as it comes.”

Calvin said PPE (specifically gloves) is becoming difficult to acquire. Public health is planning another testing event and will provide details at a later date.

Dorroh asked about long-term care facilities.

Calvin said, at the moment, things are fine. They are closed to visitors again during the two-week freeze. Calvin will also work with the facilities to determine how to distribute vaccinations. He said he believes that the first round of vaccines for health professional could be available by at least mid-December.

Runnels asked Grigg to follow up with Lafollette’s Chapel regarding COVID-related interactions at the hospital.

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In other business, the court:

• briefly discussed changes in accounts payable procedures, as staff finds it much more efficient to process accounts payables at regular intervals, twice a month;

• discussed possible changes in community corrections with the passage of Measure 110. There was general deliberation regarding the effects and economic studies;

• received an update from Shelman regarding community-based water planning. Dorroh shared her thoughts on how we could work on what is likely to happen with the results;

• discussed predator control and the need for local solutions. The state program keeps a significant amount of the funding for administration;

• received an update from Runnels regarding the Brownfield projects.

The next county court meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2 by electronic video conference.