Klamath County commissioners approve multiple labor contracts, a zoning change for kennel and several vendor agreements

The Klamath County Board of Commissioners on July 7 approved a series of routine but consequential actions, including multi‑year labor contracts, a comprehensive plan and zoning change for a proposed animal rescue/kennel, several vendor agreements and a hearing to consider legalization of Drazil Road.

The Board unanimously approved collective bargaining agreements presented by Sue Baumgart, human resources, covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029 with the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA), Laborers’ Union Local 737 and the Federation of Parole and Probation Officers (FOPPO). Commissioner DeGroot noted that the fiscal figures shown reflect total compensation for represented employees and may not equal the incremental negotiation impact.

Planning staff brought Ordinance 44.184 (CLUP/ZC 3‑26) forward to amend the comprehensive plan map for 4809 Altamont Drive from residential to commercial and to rezone the property from Suburban Residential (RS) with a conditional use permit for an animal rescue/kennel to General Commercial (CG). Justin Throne, planning, addressed the Board; the ordinance and final order were approved unanimously.

Public Works presented a procurement item to accept a quote from Pape Machinery for a 2026 Gradall EXC. Ryan Hamilton told the Board the unit is not a John Deere brand; the Board amended the motion to authorize the department head or liaison to sign and approved the purchase unanimously.

Finance and department staff also presented routine vendor agreements and amendments that the Board approved. Those included: an amended agreement with Tyler Technologies with signing authority delegated to the appropriate county official; a service agreement with Crater Lake Hospitality LLC for third‑party building inspection services; and Amendment 2 to an agreement between Klamath County Public Health and Wynne Broadcasting. Jennifer Little, public health, also presented Amendment 2 to a partnership agreement between Klamath and Lake Community Action Services and Klamath County Public Health; Commissioner Nichols disclosed that he sits on the board of Klamath Lake Community Action Services but said he does not receive benefits.

The Board appointed Martin Heim to the Predatory Animal Control District Board and approved a donation agreement to repair the Marine Corps League roof after Veterans Services staff presented the item. Commissioner Nichols recused himself from the Marine Corps League vote citing a potential conflict; Commissioners DeGroot and Minty voted to approve the donation agreement.

The Board approved a grant agreement between the OEM Homeland Security Grant program and Klamath County Emergency Management, and it approved a final order denying planning application CLUP/ZC 4‑25. The Board also approved an order (OR2027‑002) setting a hearing on legalization of Drazil Road to provide a date, time and place for that hearing.

All actions recorded in the meeting minutes were passed by unanimous votes except where recusal was recorded; no items were tabled or continued. The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:30 p.m.