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4 weeks ago

County assessor explains property-tax "compression" and what Measure 5/50 means for levies The Harney County assessor gave a technical briefing on Measure 5/50-era rules, maximum assessed value vs. real market value, and how compression reduces collections; countywide compression losses in 2025 were reported at about $218,859.

Harney County's property tax "compression" could mean a staggering $218,859 loss in revenue for 2025, impacting local services and funding.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #HarneyCountyTaxation #LocalGovernment #PropertyTax #FiscalTransparency

Citizen Portal News Oregon

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4 weeks ago

Eastern Oregon Visitors Association outlines regional tourism strategy, seeks steady funding Lina Carullo, executive director of the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association, presented a regional tourism plan for 11 counties, described Travel Oregon funding and a raised funding floor, and asked local leaders to partner on grants, marketing and accessibility initiatives.

Eastern Oregon is gearing up to boost tourism while preserving its unique charm, with exciting new strategies and funding opportunities on the horizon!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #TourismStrategy #CommunityAccessibility #CulturalHeritage

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4 weeks ago

Harney County court explores options for historic Lincoln Building amid limited funding and rising cost estimates At a March 5 work session, Harney County court reviewed the Lincoln Building's history of restricted grants and cleanup work, discussed high renovation estimates and possible uses, and agreed to hold a public town hall and building tours to solicit proposals and public input.

Harney County is at a crossroads with the historic Lincoln Building, facing a staggering $20-$25 million renovation estimate while seeking community input on its future.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityReuse #CivicEngagement #PublicInvestment

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4 weeks ago

Court discusses wildlife-services funding and backs Wallowa County wolf-management resolution Harney County commissioners discussed a roughly $100,000 estimate for contracted wildlife services, possible funding partners and special-district options, and approved a letter supporting Wallowa County's wolf-management resolution.

Harney County commissioners are weighing a $100,000 wildlife services budget while backing Wallowa County's bold wolf-management resolution.

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1 month ago

Harney County to pursue county service district for wildlife services; court moves to solicit grant-writing/ investor assistance Commissioners instructed staff to consult county counsel about creating a county service district to fund wildlife services (predator control, pigeon management and infrastructure responses) and to issue an RFQ/RFP for grant-writing and for an Opportunity Zones investor incentive package. The proposed wildlife tax rate of 13¢ per $1,000 AV was discussed as roughly $100K/year.

Harney County is taking bold steps to secure funding for vital wildlife services, potentially impacting public safety and infrastructure—will voters support the proposed tax?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EconomicDevelopment #PublicSafety #GrantWriting #HarneyCountyWildlife

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1 month ago

Harney County outlines $8M jail renovation with spring 2026 ground-breaking Sheriff and contractor presented a jail renovation and addition funded by county reserves and a $3 million Oregon Judicial Department grant. Work is scheduled to begin April 29, 2026, with steel erection beginning May 7 and full permits anticipated by June 10, 2026; design changes prioritize safety (reduced anchor points, solid doors, ADA cells).

Harney County is set to break ground on an $8 million jail renovation in April 2026, focusing on enhanced safety and modern facilities for inmates.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CivicAccountability #CommunityInvestment #HarneyCountyJail #PublicSafety

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1 month ago

Harney County court votes to pursue countywide 6% transient lodging tax measure The county court announced it will pursue a countywide transient lodging tax (TLT) at a proposed 6% rate and acknowledged it must negotiate with cities; speakers said current distribution rules allocate about 70% for tourism uses and 30% for general services, and one estimate placed potential revenue at about $200,000.

Harney County is gearing up to implement a countywide 6% transient lodging tax that could reshape local tourism funding and services—will your city get on board?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #LocalGovernance #HarneyCountyTax #PublicOutreach #TourismRevenue

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1 month ago

Consultants urge Harney County to prepare fast for Opportunity Zones 2 nominations Consultants from Healthy Stand with Communities briefed the court on the new Opportunity Zones (OZ2) framework, saying OZ2 narrows tract eligibility but boosts rural investor incentives; Harney County likely has two eligible tracts and commissioners authorized staff to pursue nomination preparation and an RFQ to secure technical assistance.

Harney County is on the brink of unlocking major investment opportunities with the revamped Opportunity Zones 2 program, promising bigger tax incentives for rural development!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EconomicDevelopment #TaxIncentives #RuralInvestment

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1 month ago

Harney County court places 6% transient lodging tax on primary ballot Harney County commissioners voted Feb. 18 to place a permanent 6% transient lodging tax (TLT) for unincorporated areas on the primary ballot; by statute 70% would be directed to tourism promotion and 30% to public services, and operators may retain 5% for administration.

Harney County is shaking things up with a proposed 6% lodging tax that could bring in $200,000 annually for tourism and public services—will voters say yes?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityRevenue #PublicSafety #TourismPromotion

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2 months ago

Harney County commissioners report on economic development meetings; housing emerges as priority Commissioner-led facilitated meetings on agriculture, energy, tourism, housing and workforce highlighted risks from groundwater curtailment to hay production and emphasized housing and workforce development; commissioners discussed forming an advisory group and reserving lottery funds for targeted grant writing.

Harney County is at a crossroads as local leaders grapple with urgent groundwater curtailment rules threatening hay production while housing emerges as the key to economic growth.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EconomicDevelopment #HousingInitiatives #AgricultureSustainability

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2 months ago

Harney County schedules executive session after landowners and city oppose proposed Stancliff Lane culverts Residents and county officials debated a proposed culvert at Stancliff Lane that landowners say could worsen flooding; the court agreed to a legal executive session and staff said a Business Oregon planning grant will reengage engineers to update mitigation options.

Harney County is facing a heated debate over a proposed culvert installation that residents fear could worsen flooding and lead to costly damage.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityPlanning #FloodMitigation #LegalAccountability #HarneyCountyResidents

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3 months ago

Harney County warns of tightening budget, explores special districts and spending tradeoffs Facing declining state funding and limited property‑tax growth, Harney County officials say they must consider reserves, special districts and service prioritization as budgeted expenditures outpace revenues.

Harney County's budget crisis is deepening as expenditures outpace revenues, prompting urgent discussions on potential cuts and the creation of special districts.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #FiscalResponsibility #PublicSafety #HarneyCountyBudget #CommunityServices

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3 months ago

Harney County leaders decry state groundwater rule for Kearney Basin; pursue administrative review The Harney County Court criticized the Oregon Water Resources Department’s designation of the Kearney Basin as a critical groundwater area, citing alleged coordination failures and local economic risks; county plans administrative appeals, resolution drafting and potential judicial review if state coordination is not corrected.

Harney County leaders are fighting back against state groundwater rules they say threaten local agriculture and economic stability—will they take the fight to court?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #LocalGovAI #HarneyCountyAgriculture #WaterResourceManagement

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3 months ago

County raises wildlife‑services funding concerns and wolf conflicts; committee updates given Commissioners discussed county burdens for wildlife services, rising wolf‑livestock conflicts and options including special districts and NRCS partnerships; the Wolf Advisory Committee reported low application numbers and elected Michael Dellman chair.

Harney County is grappling with budget pressures and rising wolf conflicts, prompting discussions on innovative funding solutions to safeguard wildlife services.

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4 months ago

Court approves $166,000 purchase from Betty Morgan trust to equip new Harney County indoor event center After a unanimous fairboard recommendation, Harney County Court authorized using Betty Morgan trust funds to purchase a preferred arena panel system (quoted value $217,000; purchase price $166,000) to outfit the new indoor event center for livestock and community events; transportation donation and procurement quotes were discussed.

Harney County Court has given the green light for a $166,000 purchase from the Betty Morgan trust to equip a new indoor event center with a flexible arena panel system, promising to boost local events and the economy!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EconomicGrowth #EventCenter

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4 months ago

Harney County to seek consultant work and grant routes to refine flood-mitigation plan Officials discussed re-engaging consultant KleinSchmidt to incorporate last years flood data into hydraulic models, explore Business Oregon levy grants and possible loans, and consider downstream impacts before implementing structural work such as culverts or road cuts.

Harney County is taking crucial steps to refine its flood-mitigation strategy by seeking grants and consulting experts to ensure downstream safety before making any infrastructure changes.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EnvironmentalImpact #InfrastructurePlanning #CommunityResilience

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4 months ago

Harney County discusses winding funding for Wildlife Services; APHIS presence seen as key County officials and state and federal wildlife staff told the Harney County Court that the USDA Wildlife Services agent provides specialized, legally authorized responses to predator and wildlife damage (ravens, coyotes, beavers, cougars, wolves). Commissioners asked staff to pursue additional partners and funding after county Taylor Grazing funds

Harney County officials are grappling with funding challenges for their vital Wildlife Services program, which plays a crucial role in managing predator control and wildlife damage legally.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WildlifeManagement #HarneyCountyWildlife #CivicAccountability

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5 months ago

Harney County weighs near-term flood mitigation work, seeks reengagement of Klein Schmidt for updated modeling County commissioners discussed the need to act before winter on flood mitigation projects identified in a Klein Schmidt study. Officials said the county may reengage the consultant to update modeling using 2025 data, and staff will seek flexibility from state funders to allow responsive work before larger grants arrive.

Harney County is racing against time to implement flood mitigation strategies before winter hits, with plans to reengage experts for updated modeling that could protect homes and infrastructure.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityResilience #FloodMitigation #InfrastructureProtect

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5 months ago

Harney County discusses cap and fill septic system permitting process Harney County outlines $1,200 permit costs for cap and fill septic systems.

Harney County is tackling the challenges of septic systems as demand rises for cap and fill installations due to tough soil conditions.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #HarneyCountySepticSystems #LandDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalManagement

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5 months ago

Harnett County Court Approves Uniform Fee Schedule for County Departments Harnett County Court establishes uniform fee schedule to enhance service accessibility and efficiency.

Harney County is taking a bold step towards transparency and efficiency with a new uniform fee schedule that promises to enhance service delivery for residents.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #LocalGovernance #CommunityTransparency #ServiceAccessibility

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6 months ago

Community Members Urged to Sign Petition by December Deadline Residents encouraged to sign petition at upcoming meeting confirmed for December 12.

The future of Harney County could hinge on a pivotal petition—will your voice be heard before the December 12 deadline?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CivicEngagement #LocalGovernance #PublicParticipation #HarneyCountyCommunity

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6 months ago

County Court Plans Rural Meetings and Adjusts October Session Schedule County Court decides to hold rural meetings and adjust session start times for October.

Harney County officials just made pivotal decisions that will enhance emergency services, boost local business, and promote public health—creating a safer and more vibrant community for all!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #PublicSafety #HealthAccess #CommunityDevelopment

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6 months ago

Harnett County officials discuss water rule amendments and community involvement challenges Officials address community concerns over proposed water rule amendments and petition processes.

Harney County is facing a healthcare crisis as the community struggles to secure dental services for Medicaid patients, leaving many without essential care.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #HealthcareAccess #RuralIssues #EnvironmentalManagement

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6 months ago

Harney County Court Approves $10K Donation to Long Term Recovery Group Court solidifies financial support for local recovery efforts through formal resolution.

Harney County is taking bold steps to enhance water management and conservation, including innovative programs and collaboration with local experts.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityInvolvement #WaterManagement #EnvironmentalStewardship

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6 months ago

County Planners Discuss Jail Needs and $3M ARPA Fund Coordination Planners identify jail requirements and await IGA for $3M ARPA funding.

Harney County is weighing the benefits of tax incentives to spark new business growth, while also tackling urgent discussions about jail planning and community collaboration.

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6 months ago

Harnett County Officials Discuss County Court Structure and Administrator Position County officials explore the need for an administrator and potential government changes in Harnett County.

Harney County officials are sounding the alarm on financial stability, debating the urgent need for a county administrator to navigate looming insolvency and governance changes.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityLeadership #FinancialStability

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7 months ago

Harnett County Court Appoints Members to Property Value Appeals Board Harnett County Court appoints Williams, Pidoro, and Frank to Property Value Appeals Board.

Harney County has welcomed a fresh lineup to its Property Value Appeals Board, aiming to ensure fair assessments for all property owners.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #LocalGovernance #PropertyValuation #CommunityTransparency

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7 months ago

Facility Management Reports Safe Staffing and Meal Services Ahead of September Inspection Management confirms safe staffing levels and approved meal services in preparation for inspection.

Harney County's correctional facility is ensuring safety and nutrition for inmates as officials prepare for a crucial inspection later this month.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #HealthNutrition

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7 months ago

Harney County Approves $115,000 Supplemental Budget for Public Health Services Commissioners vote to adopt supplemental budget enhancing public health expenditures in Harney County.

Harney County is taking a bold step for community health by approving a $115,000 budget boost for public health services!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CommunityOutreach #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalEducation

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7 months ago

City Pool Receives $465K for Renovations and Upcoming $45K Boiler Grant City announces significant funding for pool revitalization and community events planning.

Harney County is diving into major upgrades for its beloved pool and recreational facilities, securing over $600,000 in funding to enhance community experiences for everyone!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #PublicSafety #HarneyCountyRecreation #YouthEngagement #CommunityImprovement