Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners took care of some housekeeping items this morning, updating outdated ordinances in order to comply with changes in state law. Commissioner Dan DeYoung was absent.

There was no citizen comment during three brief public hearings, but Assistant Legal Counsel Leah Harper testified on ordinances pertaining to meetings of the Board of Commissioners, the Finance Department and Unified Board of Appeals.

Harper said the amendment updates the rules for Board of Commissioner meetings, with the meetings allowed to be recorded electronically by citizens as long as it does not cause a disruption. She said it reinforces a prohibition on discussing matters from executive sessions and it allows news media to attend executive sessions as long as they do not report on what happened.

The amendment related to the Finance Department amends Josephine County Code to officially change the name of the department and further specify the duties of the Finance Director. The other amendment repeals the Unified Board of Appeals, which governed appeals to decisions from the Josephine County Building Official. Appeals are now reviewed by the state and the local board is no longer necessary.

Under Administrative Actions, the Commissioners approved certification of the Ambulance Service Area Plan for Josephine County including area maps and service partners as well as incidents involving mass casualties. The plan must be reviewed every five years and it has already been approved by the state.

As part of the Consent Calendar, the Board approved a personnel policy revision regarding the Elected Official Compensation Plan. The plan establishes and maintains a uniform plan of compensation based on duties and responsibilities of elected officials. It also develops a program of recruitment, training, advancement and tenure that will make a career in county government attractive.