Umatilla County commissioners on a regular meeting day approved several routine and policy items, including a revision to the county public contracting ordinance that raises the threshold for formal competitive bidding, acceptance of a no-match state homeland security grant for emergency-event equipment, payment to the Oregon Department of Transportation for a bridge replacement match, two employee commute-authorizations, fair board appointments, support for an additional judge for the Sixth Judicial District and county participation in a regional Oregon Solutions mediation process.

The county adopted changes to its public contracting ordinance at a second reading and vote. County staff said the ordinance raises the dollar threshold that triggers a formal competitive bidding process from $10,000 to $25,000; procurements between those amounts would seek quotes if possible, while purchases above $25,000 would require formal procurement. "The limit for requiring formal, the bid process, for procurements, is going to be raised from the dollar amount of 10,000 to 25,000," said Doug, a county staff member presenting the ordinance. The board voted to adopt ordinance number 2024-11 during the meeting after a brief public hearing with no public testimony in favor or opposed.

The board approved a State Homeland Security grant from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management to buy a multi-passenger utility vehicle intended for patrolling large events and to support medical calls. The grant is a no-match award the presenter identified as for $43,218; it will be housed with Pendleton Fire and made available for surge and rescue operations, the presenter said. "The grant is a no match grant, so fully funded for $43,218," the emergency management presenter said. Commissioners asked about using an existing trailer for transport; staff said Pendleton Fire would likely assist with trailer use.

Public works staff requested and received authorization to pay the county's match portion for the Thorn Hollow bridge replacement to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The presenter said the county's share had been planned and is available; the spoken payment amount during the meeting was given as "4.97 $1.22 and 76¢" in the record. The board approved moving the funds.

The commissioners renewed two annual employee commute-authorizations: one that permits certain law-enforcement positions to commute in county-owned vehicles under order BCC2025-002 and a second that applies the same practice to specified non-law-enforcement positions under order BCC2025-003. Presenters said the lists mirror the positions approved in 2024; the record does not specify an exact headcount for covered vehicles beyond "each of the employees" in those categories.

The board appointed two volunteers to the county fair board following interviews and background checks. The board voted to appoint Milo Weaver and Jose Garcia; the appointments begin Jan. 1 and replace two members whose terms end Dec. 31, 2025. The meeting record shows the selection committee included three commissioners and the fair board chair.

Commissioners also approved a letter of support asking the state for addition of a sixth judicial judge and a referee for the Sixth Judicial District at the request of Judge Hill. The board said the county's courts are overburdened and expressed support for corresponding prosecutorial resources.

Finally, the board voted to participate in an Oregon Solutions process to help mediate a dispute between the Wallowa River Water Control District and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) related to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report and GIS planning. The state will cover half the cost; county staff said the county would agree to split the remaining share three ways among the water control district, CTUIR and Umatilla County. Staff said a final county contribution figure was not yet available and proposed a motion authorizing the county to participate and not to exceed $10,000; the record states the county does not yet have a solid number back from Oregon Solutions.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the agenda minutes and a series of orders and motions by voice vote; there were no recorded dissenting votes in the public record. Specific formal items approved included adoption of ordinance 2024-11 (public contracting), acceptance of the State Homeland Security grant for $43,218, authorization to pay ODOT the county match for the Thorn Hollow bridge project, renewal of commute authorizations (BCC2025-002 and BCC2025-003), appointment of Milo Weaver and Jose Garcia to the county fair board, approval of a support letter for the Sixth Judicial District judge and referee request, and authorization to engage in the Oregon Solutions process with a county contribution to be finalized.

The meeting record also included a commendation from the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office honoring telecommunicator Danielle Gibbons for an emergency 911 call on Dec. 30, 2024; Sergeant Barry Hutchinson read the commendation to the board. The meeting closed with brief remarks from newly sworn Commissioner Dan Doran and adjournment.

(For details and exact motion text, see the actions array and provenance entries accompanying this report.)