Seller's Employment Terminated by Commissioners in 3-0 Motion

The Board of Commissioners moved to terminate the employment of Information Technology and Emergency Management Director Michael Sellers following an Executive Session Monday. A motion passed 3-0, with Seller's employment being terminated effective 5 p.m. yesterday for the reasons presented at the due process hearing during the session. Human Resources will issue the final termination letter, process final pay, and take the necessary steps to effectuate the termination in accordance with law and policy. The board will then meet at 1:30 p.m. for a County Administration Workshop to consider department Business from Public Health, Airports, Recreation, Planning, and Human Resources. Another Executive Session will be held at 3 p.m. regarding the Robert Brandes vs. Josephine County and Andreas Blech case. All meetings in the BCC Conference Room will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream. ...Read more

Council Approved 2.71% CPI-U for Non-Bargaining COLA

The Grants Pass City Council moved in favor of a 2.71% Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Non-Bargaining Cost of Living Adjustment. Each year, a request comes from the front of Council to review and adjust the Non-Bargaining Salary Structure for 53 positions. Staff recommended the implementation of the 2.71% CPI-U, saying the full cost increase would be about $225,150, with about $99,337 coming from the general fund. The Council was unanimous in approval of the recommendation. The decision was made following an update on the First Quarter Plan Update. Accomplishments, events, and projects highlighting council goals included collaboration and coordination with local community safety organizations, Art Along the Rogue, collaboration with Elk Island Trading Company, a defensible space grant, and expansion of the tree canopy. The next presentation was a status report on the Allenwood Homes residential development located on city-owned property on Highway 238. Two non-profit corporations will operate the project long term: Neighborworks Umpqua and Oregon Human Development Corporation. ...Read more

JCSO Issued Level 1: Be Ready Evacuation Notice for Hilt Fire South of Ashland

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office has issued a Level 1: Be Ready to evacuate for two Jackson County zones. The Hilt Fire, taking place on Colestin Road south of Ashland on the Oregon/California Border was first reported on the Watch Duty app at 10:57 a.m. Officers issued a Level 1: Be Ready to Evacuate for Zones JAC-564 and JAC-566 west of I-5. According to Watch Duty, tankers have been released per Air Attack and a dozer line has been completed around the fire. The blaze was estimated by the Oregon Department of Forestry to be around 15 to 20 acres. ...Read more