Citizen's Participation: Mr. James Morris was present and stated that he wanted to share his support for Commissioners' Britton and Cole.

Review/Approval of Minutes: Commissioner Britton moved to approve the minutes of the December 4.

Additions to the Agenda:

*Resolution 2002-1055
*Tax Refund Resolution
*Invoices from BMCC and MSU
*Compensation for Cattlemen
*City Building Inspector
*Leadership Summit

Additions to the Agenda:
Compensation for Cattlemen: Interim Administrative Officer Mark Bennett stated that he had been advised by Twilla Freeman of the Farm Services Agency that emergency relief assistance had been granted to livestock producers in Baker County-exceeding $1,250,000. They were currently in the process of processing 300 applications for assistance under this program alone. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Bennett and the OSU Extension Office for their help in pursuing the assistance for the Baker County livestock producers.

City Building Inspector: Interim Administrative Officer Mark Bennett stated that the City of Baker City was still in the process of locating someone to fill the position. There were few people qualified that were willing to relocate for the salary being offered. Mr. Bennett recommended that the new Commission, in January, seriously take a look at what would best serve Baker County citizens in regards to the Building Inspector. Mr. Bennett added that he had received written notice from the state building code agency that the County was in line with its agriculture building permit process.

Leadership Summit: Commissioner Cole stated that he and Commission Chair-elect Fred Warner Jr. had attended the Leadership Summit in Portland on December 9, 2002, sponsored by the Oregon Business Council. Commissioner Cole stated that the Council had done an excellent job and that it had been worthwhile. Over 1,300 people attended and it gave the Governor-elect motivation in solving Oregon's economic problems.

Management Plans. It had been decided at the December 4, 2002 Commission Session that Baker
County would opt out of the program. Resolution 2002-1055 would formalize that decision to be sent to the state. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve Resolution 2002-1055. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Documents to be Signed:
Collection Agreement for the Road Department with Intermountain Substance Abuse M
Service. Interim Administrative Officer Mark Bennett stated that in order for the drivers at the Road Department to meet state and federal law requirements, that they were required to take drug and alcohol
tests. A staff report prepared by Kathy Hogge, Management Assistant at the Road Department, stated that the agreement with Intermountain Substance Abuse Mobile Service had been going on since 1997 and they were satisfied with the work. Commissioner Kerns moved to approve the Collection Agreement. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Cole stated that he had had the opportunity to visit with Roadmaster Helgerson and he had encouraged approving the renewal. Motion carried unanimously.

Orders 2002-209 and 210: Appointin2 members to the Powder Basin Watershed Council. Commissioner Kerns moved to reappoint Tom "Mac" Kerns and Curtis Martin to the Powder Basin Watershed Council. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Britton
stated that both Mr. Kerns and Mr. Martin had been attending the meetings regularly and were dedicated members. Motion carried unanimously.

Scheduled Business:
Update from the Justice Court: Judge Larry Cole was present before the Board of Commissioners to present his annual report from the Independent 3rd branch of county government. Judge Cole gave a brief run down of what had occurred over the past year. Judge Cole stated that their annual caseload had been 6,493. For the 2002 year, their caseload, as of the 10th of December, was 6,091 and were anticipating a year end total of 6,455. The Oregon State Police provides a majority of their caseloads, 78%; 18% of caseloads are provided by the Baker City Police Department, and the Sheriffs Office provided 4%. Judge Cole stated that these figures only dealt with the traffic side of their cases as that was where a majority of their funds came from. Judge Cole stated that contrary to the 2001 audit report, that the 2002 audit was very complimentary. As of00-01 they had brought in $1,014,443 of which Baker County received $442,888. The last audit for 01-02, revenue totaled $970,341 and out of that Baker County received $595,572. More funds were received due to the aggressive collection strategy taken on by the Trial Court Administrator Linda Williams. Judge Cole stated that two of the biggest changes in Justice Court over the past year were the remodeling project, which was 90% complete, and the new staff. The staff is now happy, works as a team and was very positive and efficient.

Judge Cole stated that in regards to their budget, Justice Court took care of most of the courthouse
security cost, the indigent defense contract, less the general fund contribution, was covered, and that the department covered a fair share of the County Jail expense as well as Juvenile and Parole and Probation Departments.

Judge Cole stated that the success of the Justice Court depended upon the efficiency and citations that
came in from the law enforcement agencies-road and criminal. Judge Cole stated that should the 2003 revenue cuts occur, that they anticipated losing Oregon State Police troopers and this would hurt their revenue. Judge Cole stated that his department was currently working with Circuit Court and the District Attorney on treating a lot of cases as violations. This would mean that they could treat the cases the same as they would a traffic ticket-decreasing the cost and time for each case.

Judge Cole stated that over the last year he had seen an increase in traffic trials, as citizens were wanting to contest them. In regards to jury trials, Judge Cole stated that they were being scheduled every
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Misdemeanor trials had already been scheduled through April of 2003. Judge Cole concluded his presentation by stating his appreciation for Circuit Court Judge Baxter and District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff's assistance.

Circuit Court Judge Baxter was present and commented that he was very grateful that Baker County had retained a Justice Court to handle misdemeanors, as most counties did not. Commissioner Kerns
questioned the history behind Baker County continuing to have a Justice Court when most counties did ~ not. Judge Cole stated that that the citizenry of Baker County had always wanted to have their Justice Courts.

Commissioner Cole inquired as to how long Judge Cole had been a Judge. Judge Cole stated that he had been sworn in as Judge in 1974 and has been with Baker County for 13 years. Commissioner Cole stated his appreciation for Judge Cole's services to Baker County.

Additions to the Agenda:
Announcement of Tax Refund Resolution 98-01: Commissioner Cole announced that the
Treasurer/Tax Collector Alice Durflinger had authorized JV refunds totaling $2, 711.24. Refunds were distributed to the following: Tony and Janet Chetwood: $155.30; Sherry Cisna: $94.11; Daugherty Investments: $76.32; Eugene and Joan Davilla: $152.99; Ed and Pat Elms: $310.02; France
Telecommunications: $805.03; Jeanett Gaston: $36.44; William Holt: $364.52; James Sanders Jr.: $456.07; Dale Story and Paula Geddes: $43.11; and Dan Warnock Sr.: $217.33.

Invoices from Blue Mountain Community College and Minot State University: Interim
Administrative Officer Mark Bennett stated that a final report had been received from BMCC and Minot State University. The Commissioners had put a "stop payment" on all transactions in regards to the
PNWLETC fund. Mr. Bennett stated that the invoice was not new, but rather had already been budgeted for and requested authorization from the Commissioners to move forward with the payments (BMCC:
$16,500; MSU: $48,000). No objections were made and consensus was reached to allow the payment of the invoices.

Documents to be Signed:

Resolutions 2002-1052 and 2002-1053: Appropriation Transfers within the Sheriff’s Department and the County Jail of the General Fund. Commissioner Kerns moved to table the Resolutions until January. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Motion passed two to one with Commissioner Cole opposing.

Resolution 2002-1054: Designating the Hours and Dates of Allowed Operation and the Routes
Authorized for Snowmobile Travel on Baker County Roads: Commissioner Kerns questioned if the
Gene Hale Road would be looked at for recreational opportunities as there could be the possibility of state transportation funds being used to create a complete A TV trail into Unity. Commissioner Britton stated
that Gene Hale Road would be too far from the intended path to Unity , however there was some potential for recreational opportunities on Lookout Mountain that the Transportation Commission could consider. Commissioner Britton moved to approve Resolution 2002-1054, setting the beginning date of December 1, 2002. Commissioner Kerns seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Kerns questioned if the
routes listed in Exhibit A were the same as the previous year. Interim Administrative Office Mark Bennett stated that they were. Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 2002-1052 and 1053. Commissioner Britton moved to re-address Resolutions 2002-1052. Commissioner Cole seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Sheriff Troy Hale was present
before the Board of Commissioners. Sheriff Hale stated that his office had currently gone out to bid for a vehicle and the bids were due back on Friday, December 20, 2002. Sheriff Hale stated that the resolutions would reduce the expense lines in the Sheriffs Office and the Jail to adequately reflect the true expenses.
The additional funds would be used to purchase vehicles. Commissioner Britton questioned if the $61,000 in the Sheriffs car line was for the lease payments of the SUV's. Sheriff Hale stated that $51,000 would cover the lease payments and the additional $10,000 would be used to purchase a used vehicle. Sheriff Hale added that with the purchase of the new vehicles they had seen their vehicle maintenance fees
decrease significantly, and that they would be getting ready to auction some older vehicles off. The funds
from the auction would go back to the General Fund. Commissioner Britton questioned the full transfer of
$5,500 from the gate line in the Jail Department. Sheriff Hale stated that the funds were for motors and that they had been replaced during the previous year.

Commissioner Chair-elect Fred Warner Jr. was present. Mr. Warner Jr. stated his prospective on funding was to engage all Department Heads and Elected Officials to save as much money as possible to save programs for next year-he would rather save now, than to have to make cuts later.

Commissioner Kerns moved to table the Resolution once more. Commissioner Britton seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Britton stated that he would prefer that Sheriff Hale discuss the resolutions with the new Commission in January. Commissioner Cole stated that he respected Mr. Warner Jr.'s desire to set the tone on where the budget would go, however he had seen the Sheriff manage his budget very well over the past couple of years and did not believe that he would bring this recommendation before the Board if it was not wise or thought through. Motion carried two to one with Commissioner Cole opposing.

Discussion Topics:
Comparison of Calendars:
Dec. 18: P2 meeting, Celebration of fiber optic ring in Pendleton
Dec. 19: Breakfast at Road Dept., Kathleen Bergland's Christmas Party, Step Forward Meeting
Dec. 20: BEGIN meeting
Jan. 2: Swearing in ceremony.

"Good Will" Holiday Leave: Interim Administrative Officer Mark Bennett stated that the Department Heads had inquired as to if the Courthouse would be closing early on December 24. Consensus was
reached to allow county employees four hours of "good will" leave to be taken either on December 24, 2002 or December 31, 2002.

Compensation Board: Commissioner Cole announced that two vacancies were now on the Compensation Board and would need to be filled in January.

Scheduled Business:
Recognition of Commissioner Howard Britton and Commissioner Brian Cole: Patti Pointer presented
each Commissioner with an individual poem on behalf of the Baker County Employees. Commissioner Britton gave a brief speech, passing his "folder of knowledge" to Commissioner Kerns. Commissioner Cole read his closing statement (Please refer to the written statement attached-as read into the record).

Commission Session was adjourned 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robin Nudd, Executive Assistant

Baker County Board of Commissioners"