Opening:
- The meeting convened at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Declarations of Potential Conflicts of Interest:
- Commissioners declared potential conflicts related to items on the agenda stemming from personal or professional relationships with Josephine County entities.
Recognition of Employees:
- Acknowledged employees for their service milestones, ranging from 5 to 25 years across various departments.
Administrative Actions:
- Approval of property sales from a recent auction:
- Properties sold for cash and under installment agreements were detailed.
- The distribution of proceeds to general funds, foreclosure fees, and other allocations was explained.
- Approval of an over-the-counter sale for a property in O’Brien.
- Establishment of a Rural Fire Protection District fund:
- $1.5 million in state funds allocated.
- Board of Commissioners to oversee funds until elections in May 2025.
Public Comments:
- Varied topics included:
- Alleged legal violations and concerns about election integrity.
- The significance of the American flag and its respect.
- Calls for county parks and conservation efforts, particularly regarding the Pipe Fork property.
- Criticism of current commissioners, transparency concerns, and an ongoing ethics investigation involving Commissioner John West.
- Advocacy for and against Commissioner John West’s recall.
- Discussions on maintaining public lands and their future use.
Commissioners’ Responses:
- Addressed Firewise program funding, explaining decisions to maximize program duration.
- Clarified the status of Pipe Fork, inviting offers but expressing frustration with conflicting narratives from the public.
- Reiterated the transparency of public meetings and decision-making processes.
Approval of Agenda Items:
- Motions passed for administrative actions, property sales, and approval of meeting minutes.
Adjournment:
- Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
More detailed information:
1. Property Sales Details:
- The Josephine County Board of Commissioners reviewed the results of a property auction held on November 14, 2024.
- Cash Sales: Two properties were sold outright for cash, with buyers completing full payment.
- Installment Sales: Four properties were sold under purchase-and-sale agreements with payments due within 30 days. Another property was sold as an installment sale, requiring a 20% deposit with the balance paid through monthly installments.
- Proceeds Distribution:
- Funds were allocated to various accounts, including general funds, foreclosure-related fees, and reimbursement for property management expenses.
- Surplus funds were designated for prior owners, with instructions for claim submissions provided online and via notification letters.
2. Fire Protection District Fund:
- Oregon Legislature allocated $1.5 million to support the establishment of the Josephine County Rural Fire Protection District.
- Fund Management:
- Initially managed by the Board of Commissioners until May 2025 elections.
- After elections, an elected board will have exclusive control over fund transactions.
- Usage Details:
- Some funds were previously used to hire a consultant for district evaluation.
- Remaining funds are designated for establishing and managing the fire protection district, following county procurement policies.
3. Public Comments:
- Concerns on Governance:
- Allegations against Commissioner John West regarding ethics violations and his recall campaign were highlighted.
- Citizens questioned transparency and accountability in decision-making processes.
- Conservation and Pipe Fork Property:
- Public appeals emphasized the value of preserving Pipe Fork for recreational and ecological purposes.
- Concerns were raised about selling the property to private entities at a lower cost, potentially restricting public access.
- Miscellaneous:
- Calls for respect for the American flag.
- Advocacy for community contributions to local convalescent homes during the holidays.
4. Commissioners’ Responses:
- Firewise Program:
- Explained the decision to reduce staffing to extend program duration amidst limited funding.
- Pipe Fork Property:
- Commissioners expressed frustration with inconsistent messaging from advocacy groups.
- Reiterated the property remains for sale and open to offers, with decisions to be reviewed by the board.
- Transparency:
- Encouraged citizens to access meeting recordings available on the county website for complete transparency.
5. Meeting Resolutions:
- Motions to approve administrative actions (property sales, agreements, etc.) and meeting minutes were unanimously passed.