Harney County Court declares Lincoln School surplus, directs staff to advertise property for sale

Harney County Court voted July 2 to declare the former Lincoln School building surplus and authorized its disposal, directing staff to advertise the property for sale and empowering the county judge or county administrator to negotiate and execute sale and closing documents.

The special session opened at 10:01 a.m. and briefly moved into an executive session under ORS 192.610 to consult with counsel before returning to public session at 10:40 a.m., when the court considered Order 2026-02. The order, read into the record, states the court found the Lincoln building "not needed for public use" and concluded that disposition could further the public interest under ORS 271.310. The order records a public meeting on June 17 and an open house on June 18, 2026 that solicited public input on future uses of the property.

The order was amended on the floor to replace a drafting phrase with "adopted by the Harney County Court" and to clarify that the county judge, county administrator, or a designated deputy is authorized to take all actions necessary to carry out the order, including advertising, providing required notice, executing bid or sale documents, deeds and closing documents. The order specifies that final acceptance of any offer and final authorization to convey the property must be approved by the county court, and that net sale proceeds shall be deposited in the county general fund. It also requires notice as applicable to the Oregon Department of Transportation, adjoining property owners and other interested parties per ORS 271.310–271.360 and ORS 275.110–275.160.

A commissioner moved to adopt Order 2026-02 "in the matter of declaring the old Lincoln school building as excess county property and authorizing its disposition pursuant to ORS 271.310." The motion was seconded, and the presiding officer called for the vote. The court verbally recorded "I" for those in favor and the presiding officer announced the motion carries. The transcript does not record names for the mover, the seconder or a numeric tally.

Following adoption, the court addressed next steps. A commissioner moved to "direct staff and council to proceed under ORS 271.310 advertising Lincoln building property for sale," a motion that was seconded and carried on a verbal voice vote. The presiding officer said the court had received a letter of intent from a party and that staff would begin negotiations with that party but would not disclose terms publicly so as not to influence competing offers.

When asked whether the court would set a timeline for offers, the presiding officer said counsel advised there is no required deadline and the county may accept or decline offers; the court will proceed with advertising and negotiations without a fixed submission deadline. The order is effective immediately upon adoption and will be recorded by the county clerk; final conveyance requires subsequent court approval.

The special session adjourned at 10:56 a.m.