By Randy Parks
Burns Times-Herald

On Wednesday, June 18, the Harney County Court voted 2-1 to uphold the Harney County Planning Commission’s decision to allow a non-farm dwelling to be built in a Princeton area EFRU-2 zone, which  is designated for agricultural use.

The decision came as a result of Randolph Hogrefe’s request to build a home on 10 acres, and an appeal by a neighboring landowner, Thurston (Rusty) Inglis.

Before the vote was taken, Harney County Judge Steve Grasty said he found nothing compelling in recent testimony to change his decision to uphold the planning commission’s decision. Grasty added that he would  ask Mr. Hogrefe to combine the 10-acre parcel with his adjoining 40 acres.

Commissioner Jack Drinkwater agreed with Grasty and said, “This fellow has a right to build a house on his own property.”

The lone dissenting vote was cast by Commissioner Dan Nichols, who felt that allowing Hogrefe to build did not follow the rules of the comprehensive plan. “I’m trying to protect the agricultural industry in this county,” Nichols said. “I do believe in private property rights, but there’s two sides to that street. One more home opens it up for another down the road, then another and another. Having a few acres is different than having a working ranch.”

The motion, made by Grasty, did include the stipulation that Hogrefe combine his two parcels.

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Members of the Harney County Fair board approached the court with a request for more money, citing increasing costs.

Board member Bob Cargill stated that the fair is  a big community event, and the cost of maintenance and other things are getting bigger than what the fair can produce. “We feel we need more money to operate,” Cargill said.

Another board member, Wayne Evans, said they were trying to get the court to acknowledge that the county owns the buildings on the fairgrounds and could perform the maintenance on them.

Fair Manager Don Slone suggested they could possibly raise revenue by charging for use of the facilities. “How would it work?” he asked. “I don’t know. I guess we could set a fee and see what happens.”

Slone said that at one time, there was a policy that 20 percent of proceeds from food and beverage vendors would go to the fair. “That’s a way to raise several thousand dollars,” Slone said. “It may not go over real well, but they have to understand there are expenses in keeping the booths open.”

Drinkwater wondered if they might raise admission fees. “Most places charge more just to park than what you pay to get in to the fair here,” he said.
Cargill said they would be reluctant to raise prices, but they need to raise more money.

There was more discussion on allowing community groups using the facilities at no charge, and Evans said that with today’s economics they can’t do that anymore. “I think the community will understand,” he said. “I think we need to have 4-H help us out as well.”

The court pointed out that the board had exceeded their budget, and they needed to keep a closer watch on expenditures. “You have to pencil it out and see how you’re going to do it,” Grasty said. “I appreciate you kicking out ideas (for more revenue). There’s no way we could put another $100,000 a year into your budget.”

In other business:
• the court signed an order to distribute money, in the amount of $6,131.49, from the sale of county lands;

• the court signed an agreement with the Harney County Commission on Children and Families regarding provider contracts. Commissioner Nichols complimented the director, Patty Dorroh, and the commission board, and thanked them for their time and effort;

• Ted Tiller, tax collector, presented the court with a request for a tax refund. Tiller explained that a tax assessment had been placed on the wrong lot in the Trout Creek area. Tiller said with the new geographical information system (GIS), they discovered the clerical error and would refund money to the party who had been taxed, and then tax the right land owner;

• the court approved a number of resolutions dealing with the budget, including #2008-09 which adopted the the 2008-09 budget approved by the budget committee in the amount of $31,937,932.00, and #2008-10 which imposes taxes provided for in the adopted budget at the rate of 4.5016 per $1,000 of assessed value for operations;

• the court held public hearings before approving a revised wind energy facility fee schedule and the GIS fee schedule;

• the court acknowledged a letter of resignation from planning commission member Rick Johnson. Judge Grasty said he was sorry to see Johnson leave the commission and complimented him on his work;

• Commissioner Nichols reported that the Oregon Water Enhancement Board (OWEB) had listened to the court’s concerns and had placed Harney County back into Region 5. “It’ll have a big impact on the community,” Nichols said. Grasty noted that Nichols had been instrumental in getting OWEB to change the designation and thanked him.

The next meeting of the Harney County Court is Wednesday, July 2, at 10 a.m.