Citizen questions whether that step would impede private business

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Is the county court stepping outside of its boundaries by considering the purchase of the LP building in Hines? The question was brought up during the Nov. 4 Harney County Court meeting by Mark Palmer. Palmer asked the court for explanation on a situation in which he believed the county was impeding on private business.

Palmer said he had been in conversation with parties interested in buying an industrial building in which to house a pellet mill. During the conversation he was led to believe that the county had not promoted a building he owned that had been available for the past 10 years. “I don’t understand why the only building the county showed was the LP building,” said Palmer. “If I have to run competition with the county, it’s not right.”

Judge Steve Grasty, along with commissioners Dan Nichols and Jack Drinkwater said the county had not singled out the LP building to show prospective developers. Grasty said Palmer’s property had been included in every presentation that had been made to potential industries. He also stressed that the county had not secured a deal to buy the LP building, and encouraged Palmer to pursue any prospective buyer.

The county is in contention for a state grant for $350,000 that would help fund the purchase of the building. The county has pledged another $150,000 to make up the balance. “We don’t want this building, but we can’t let these facilities get away from the county,” said Grasty.

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In other court business, Elizabeth Moore and Debbie White made a presentation from TEC/Worksource Oregon. Moore explained the process TEC uses to help displaced workers get the training they need to get back into the work force. She said they had recently received a National Emergency Grant, which specifically will be used to help Monaco workers get retrained.

Moore also told the court that if they knew in advance what a potential new employer needs for skills, they could work with the schools and the employer to make the training available. “If you can bring in business, we can give you the workforce. We try to have foresight and help bring jobs into the area.”

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Mark Maliwauki, Harney County Business Development Coordinator, discussed with the court the key differences between Strategic Investment Program and Rural Renewable Energy Zone, in regard to property taxes, job creation requirements and service fees.

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The court discussed a request from High Desert Design to trade an outstanding balance due on building lease for improvements in the leased building. County Treasurer Nellie Franklin told the court that the outstanding balance had stood at $2,050 since 2003, and that one-half had already been taken off the amount owed. High Desert Design said the improvements to the building included electrical drops and an air compressor. As a sub-lease is currently in the making, the court will request High Desert Design and the new business owner to come to the court office and get the leases cleared up.

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An application to install a culvert on Green House Road was granted to Sam Duke.

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The court had the first reading of Ordinance No. 2009-66, the amendment of the Comprehensive plan to incorporate changes which allow for optimal administration and accessibility. The second reading will be held at the next county court meeting, which has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23, because of conflicting schedules on Nov. 18.