Josephine County commissioners advanced infrastructure spending, reconsidered building fees and changed how county policies are developed during a week of decisions reaching across public works, public safety, veterans services and government oversight.
The board approved contracts to replace aging fuel tanks at the Public Works Kerby Shop and extended the county’s employee timekeeping system. Other financial decisions remained unsettled as commissioners requested more information about building charges and reserve funds, explored financing for major improvements and postponed action on airport lease modernization.
At the center of those discussions were decisions about maintaining county facilities, paying for services and obtaining a clearer account of departmental operations.
The Kerby Shop fuel project will replace underground gasoline and diesel tanks that are approximately 37 years old. No leak has been detected, but the county plans to remove the tanks before a failure occurs.
A smaller, 2,500-gallon above-ground diesel tank will replace the existing system, reflecting reduced gasoline use at the facility. The project is expected to cost approximately $300,000 to $325,000, paid through the Road Fund.
During the November 10 Administration Workshop, commissioners approved fuel-station supplies from Mascott Equipment Company for up to $126,000, contingent on correction of a pricing error. A separate contract with M&M Services, LLC, authorizes up to $143,071 for tank decommissioning and installation.
For residents and businesses planning construction, the board’s review of Building Safety fees could eventually change the cost of county services associated with their projects. The department operates entirely on fees, and previous increases have not kept pace with service costs.
Commissioners examined proposed revisions but requested additional permit-volume information and individual review of the fee schedule before making a decision. Their discussion weighed the need to recover costs and maintain public safety against concerns about creating unnecessary barriers to development.
The proposal includes restoring a Community Development Fee based on project valuation. Its proceeds would primarily support an ordinance and code-enforcement position already approved through the supplemental budget.
The financial figures accompanying that proposal conflict. A listed rate of 0.003 percent would produce $1,500 from $50 million in project valuation, rather than the projected $150,000. That revenue estimate corresponds to a rate of 0.3 percent.
No fee changes were approved. Commissioners are scheduled to revisit the proposal November 24, ahead of a proposed December 16 public hearing.
The board also sought a closer examination of money held in reserve. Commissioners delayed Resolution No. 2026-041, which would continue the county’s Property, Equipment, Insurance and Payroll Reserve Funds, pending a review of their performance over the past three years.
Finance will return with information showing whether the funds continue to serve their intended purposes.
Commissioners approved a five-year extension of TimeClock Plus, the employee timekeeping system used throughout county government. The first year will cost approximately $31,166, with future annual charges tied to employee counts and cost-of-living adjustments. Finance described the system as a comparatively cost-effective tool for an essential county function.
Longer-term financial planning brought emergency communications infrastructure and Animal Shelter improvements into the discussion. Commissioners considered full faith and credit financing as a potential way to pay for long-lived capital projects, including major communications work and a phase of shelter improvements.
The presentation addressed County Charter debt provisions, the role of a registered Municipal Advisor and illustrative payment schedules. No borrowing, financing package or capital project was authorized.
Alongside the financial decisions, commissioners changed the structure through which county leadership helps develop administrative policy.
The board repealed Administrative Policy A-02, the Leadership Committee policy, after Legal Counsel advised that the committee’s collective role in advising commissioners could raise concerns under Oregon Public Meetings Law. The formal structure had been established during the 2024 Administrative Policy Manual update.
The repeal passed 2-0, with Chair Smith abstaining.
For now, policy proposals will begin with discussions involving commissioners and appropriate staff. A draft will then be prepared, department heads will have an opportunity to provide individual feedback, and the proposal will return to the board for formal consideration. Commissioners emphasized that participation by department heads and county leadership remains important.
A separate effort to strengthen departmental reporting has yet to secure participants for its next round. The new Department Report process is intended to provide consistent information about performance, staffing, budgets, priorities and operational needs.
With no departments having volunteered for the next round, commissioners agreed to recirculate the form and allow another week for responses. Smaller departments are expected to participate first as the process is refined.
Personnel discussions addressed staffing needs in Veterans Services, the Sheriff’s Office and Finance. All positions were reported to be within existing budgets.
The part-time Veterans Services Department Assistant position, previously authorized through the supplemental budget, underwent a compensation review before recruitment. The Sheriff’s Office updated its Financial Crime Analyst job description in preparation for filling a vacancy. Finance requested authorization to refill a position following an employee’s resignation notice.
Airport operations remained under review as Commissioner Richardson and Airports Manager Mike Crisafulli sought additional time to complete an adjusted implementation plan for the proposed 90-Day Airport Lease Modernization Program. The effort would review and modernize airport leases. Commissioners continued the matter for approximately two weeks without formal action.
Cybersecurity also came before the board in an executive session held under ORS 192.660(2)(p), covering cybersecurity infrastructure and responses to threats. Upon returning to open session, Smith reported that commissioners had received information and education on cybersecurity and directed staff to proceed as discussed. No formal motion or roll-call vote was taken.
Commissioners approved the Josephine County Circuit Court’s use of the Anne G. Basker Auditorium for recruitment activities November 18.
The week’s schedule was shortened by Veterans Day. County offices closed November 11, and the regular Wednesday Weekly Business Session was not held. Commissioners recognized local veterans and extended wishes for a meaningful observance to those who served and the broader community.