Local News

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners this morning designated four county-owned properties as surplus property and included them on a list of 10 properties that will be sold at a Sheriff's Auction in June.

The Board voted unanimously to designate 24.8 acres on Lower Wolf Creek Road, 5.07 acres at 125 Ingalls Lane, 0.37 of an acre on Josephine Street and 1.7 acres at 33223 Redwood Highway as forest, public parks or recreational areas. Proceeds from the sales of these properties will benefit the Parks and Forestry Departments.

Property Manager Helene Lulich testified that the majority of the 10 parcels were obtained by Josephine County through property tax foreclosures, which is a a six-year process. The exact date of the Sheriff's Sale has not yet been approved.

In other business, the Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Cave Junction to apply for a Community Development Block Grant of $500,000 to repair houses for low-income residents. The program would allow individuals to apply for up to $25,000 to improve their housing. All areas outside the City of Grants Pass would be eligible for the CDBG funding.

No action was taken by the Board on a possible resolution to the proposed sale of the Pipe Fork timber property near Williams. The agenda item was postponed due to ongoing negotiations to purchase the 320-acre forested parcel.

The Commissioners heard from supporters of the Pipe Fork sale and proponents of continued funding for the OSU Extension Service during public comment.