During its meeting on Sept. 18, the Harney County Court discussed how to fill the vacancy that will be left by Sheriff Dave Ward. At the previous county court meeting (held Sept. 4) Ward presented a letter stating that his last day in office will be Jan. 2, 2020. During the meeting

File  photo Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward's last day in office will be Jan. 2, 2020. During the Harney County Court meeting on Sept. 4, Sheriff Dave Ward presented a letter stating that his last day in office will be Jan. 2, 2020. “I appreciate all of you guys, and I want to

Justin Iverson and Harmony Burright of the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) attended the Harney County Court meeting on Aug. 7 to provide updates regarding the groundwater study and place-based water planning. Groundwater study Since 2016, OWRD and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have been cooperatively conducting a study in the

During its meeting on July 17, the Harney County Court approved Resolution 2019-23 in the matter of establishing the Harney County Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC). The court also adopted the committee’s bylaws. NRAC will advise the court on the needs and priorities of the county’s natural resources; provide substantial comments

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

The Harney County Court is requesting letters of interest from people who would like to participate on Harney County’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee (NRAC). The purpose of NRAC is to advise the Harney County Court on the needs and priorities of our natural resources; provide substantial comments for the National Environmental

Due to the current budget shortfall, Harney County’s general fund for fiscal year 2019-2020 (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020) is projected to begin with a balance of $0 to $50,000. To address the deficit, the Harney County Court approved Resolution 2019-17 during its meeting on June 19. The resolution

During the Harney County Court meeting on June 5, Harney County Commissioner Mark Owens discussed a proposed resolution that would amend Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act (PILT) funding. Passed by Congress in 1976, PILT provides payments to local units of government containing certain federally owned lands (federal entitlement acreage). However, Owens

Executive Director Hannah Hinman and Harney County Program Coordinator Maggie Thompson attended the Harney County Court meeting on May 22 to provide an update regarding Grant-Harney County CASA. According to the program’s website, “CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASAs are highly trained community volunteers who are appointed by the

During its meeting on May 8, the Harney County Court approved Resolution 2019-15 in the matter of appropriating funds due to unexpected occurrence or condition. The resolution states that, “Harney County is experiencing a fiscal emergency due to an incorrect budgeted beginning fund balance beginning in 2013. To increase the General