Josephine County commissioners advanced the Althouse Creek Bridge replacement, approved agreements supporting public transit and assigned a coordinator to the regional emergency communications project this week. The Board also approved an ambulance-rate increase, appointed members to an economic development grant committee and continued discussions with the City of Grants Pass on parking, housing and other shared needs.
The bridge project has received approximately $2.7 million through a state program and requires a county match of about $313,000. On Tuesday, commissioners unanimously amended an agreement with the Oregon Department of Transportation, authorizing the agency to complete the right-of-way and land-acquisition work needed for the replacement. Construction is anticipated in summer 2027 and is expected to close the bridge for four to six months.
Two additional agreements support Josephine County Transit. One provides funding during ODOT’s transition to the federal fiscal-year schedule. The other renews the scheduling and dispatch software used for demand-response transportation, including rides for older adults and people with disabilities. Both are funded through federal and state transit sources and require no County General Fund contribution.
Commissioners also discussed the next steps in modernizing the region’s emergency communications system, including potential tower sites, infrastructure partnerships and grant opportunities. They unanimously designated Emergency Management Director Nate Sanders as project coordinator for the Josephine Regional Interoperational System to assist the departments and agencies involved. No construction proposal was approved.
At Wednesday’s weekly business session, the Board unanimously approved a 10 percent ambulance-rate increase and a mileage adjustment for American Medical Response, effective October 1. AMR representatives cited labor and other operating costs and estimated that the adjustment would generate approximately $154,117 in additional revenue. Based on the information presented to commissioners, Medicare, Medicaid and facility-responsible patients would not be affected. The increase would primarily affect other third-party payers.
A Tuesday meeting with Grants Pass representatives covered several possible City-County projects. Participants discussed a jointly developed multilevel downtown parking facility, a managed overnight vehicle-camping location and a youth community center. The city agreed to provide its latest downtown parking study for review. Housing development, permitting, coordination between planning departments and future infrastructure needs were also discussed. No formal decisions were made on those proposals.
On Monday, commissioners returned to an appeal involving a proposed non-farm dwelling on Exclusive Farm Use property accessed from Lower River Road. Commissioners Smith and Richardson reviewed additional testimony and information concerning agricultural soils, historical farm use, irrigation and land-use requirements. They expressed different positions, and a motion to deny the appeal received no second. The appeal did not gain approval, leaving the Planning Director’s original denial in effect. Planning staff will prepare written findings and provide notice of the decision, which may be appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals.
The Board unanimously appointed five members to the Josephine County Economic Development Grant Advisory Committee. Approximately $445,000 is available for economic development grants, with applications due October 30.
Commissioners continued developing an agricultural education grant program of approximately $30,000 through the 4-H Service District. They also discussed a process for regular reports on county departments’ activities, performance, goals and operational challenges. Department heads will have an opportunity to provide feedback before that process is implemented. In other administrative actions, the Board reappointed Karl Heackler to the Fair Board and temporarily delegated signing authority to Assistant Finance Director Trevin Mikels during Finance Director Matthew Eide’s scheduled absence.
During Thursday’s legal counsel update, commissioners approved a $40,000 spending ceiling for Snell Wilmer’s legal services associated with recently settled surplus-proceeds litigation. The ceiling applies to July through September billing and does not establish the amount actually spent. Commissioners also supported seeking proposals for contracted attorney services in anticipation of a retirement within the county’s legal department. The Board will review responses before selecting a provider or approving a contract.
The Board took limited action following two executive sessions on personnel matters. On Wednesday, commissioners authorized Human Resources to proceed with an investigation and took no action on paid administrative leave. On Thursday, they directed Vice-Chair Colene Martin and Human Resources to continue an interview process and report to the full Board the following week. No appointment was made.
During public comment Wednesday, residents spoke about civic education and manufactured-home park space rents, including the effect of those costs on older residents. Commissioners discussed obtaining more information about park regulations and the options available to the county.