Harney County Court on March 5 approved several formal actions: two budget adjustments, a three-year bargaining agreement for the Harney County Deputies Association, and written testimony in support of two Oregon legislative bills to change fair funding. The court reported it had earlier authorized county counsel to pursue participation in legal action challenging state wildfire hazard maps.

Resolution 2025‑04: The court approved an appropriation to move $19,598 from the county’s ARPA fund into Home Health & Hospice Fund 251 to cover personnel services. The judge explained the funds were obligated by the December 31 deadline and the resolution formally transfers revenue and personnel appropriations. A motion to accept the resolution passed; the court recorded the motion as carried.

Resolution 2025‑05: The court approved an intra‑fund transfer of $50,000 from general-fund contingency to support an expansion of environmental health services. The funds will backfill startup payroll, vehicle and supply needs while the county provides environmental-health inspection services to neighboring counties (Baker, Wallowa and Union) after the state declined to refill a retiring position. County staff said the transfer is structured as a loan, to be repaid from future fees when the service generates revenue. The motion carried.

Harney County Deputies Association bargaining agreement: The court approved a three‑year contract covering 2024–2027 for sheriff's patrol deputies, corrections officers and 9‑1‑1 dispatch staff. The agreement provides a 4% pay increase for the current year (with back pay to cover the elapsed months) and 3% increases in each of the following two years. County leadership summarized smaller changes: an increase in longevity pay from $5 to $7 per month after five years and higher certification pay (an additional $100 for intermediate and $100 for advanced certification, for a $200 total). Health‑benefit proposals remain under discussion; the parties agreed to return with comparative plan information.

Letter of support for state fair funding bills: The court approved submission of written testimony supporting House Bills 2304 and 2145, which the court said would remove a $1.5 million cap and restore a true 1% lottery-based funding allocation to county fairs and provide funds related to state fairgrounds and emergency preparedness. The court authorized submission of the written testimony as its formal record.

Wildfire-hazard maps legal action: Court members said they had met in a special session earlier in the day with county counsel and had moved to direct county counsel to work toward joining litigation challenging the state’s wildfire hazard maps; the court said further public updates will be provided when appropriate. The special-session motion was undertaken outside the regular meeting and was not debated in this regular session.

Each motion in the regular March 5 meeting passed after the court called for votes; where recorded the court vocalized unanimous "aye."