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Commissioner Smith Confirms Stance on Vacancy and Recusal during Workshop

Commissioner Ron Smith read his public record regarding his position on the filling of the Commissioner Position 1 vacancy and his reasoning for recusing himself from recent meetings as a statement during today's workshop. He then reiterated at the end of the workshop he would not participate in upcoming meetings. During the Legal Counsel Update, the board had no objections to the preparation of adopting an administrative policy, and approved 2-0 the Oregon Department of Energy ECAPP application for a county owned building at 1000 Redwood Avenue. A motion passed to accept the recommendation to move forward with the offer to purchase County property on Winona Road. Department Business followed, with approval of invoices for the Treasurer, Public Works, and Facilities, as well as Human Resources Requisitions and Actions. The District Attorney's request for a subgrant to cover half of an attorney position with Friends of the Children's Advocacy Center, with the County paying the other half, was approved. A revision to a Community Justice IGA between Oregon Youth Authority and Juvenile Justice, reducing liability insurance from $5 million to $1 million, was also approved. The board approved a 3-year-contract with Command Cloud for the Sheriff's Office to provide a tracking program for added accountability, pending vetting from the IT Department.

Posted on 12/16/25 3:10PM by Alex Bauer

Applications Being Accepted for JoCo Solid Waste Agency Budget Committee

Applications are being accepted for one open position on the Josephine County Solid Waste Agency Budget Committee.

The purpose of the committee is to receive and review the proposed budget and recommend a budget for approval to the Agency.

Qualifications to serve on the committee include being a resident within Josephine County and being a registered voter. Experience in evaluation and analysis of the delivery of services is beneficial, as well as a background in civic and community volunteer programs.

Applications are available in the City of Grants Pass Public Works Office at 101 NW A Street, Room 205, or online at grantspassoregon.gov. Applications need to be returned by January 31. Call (541) 450-6110 for more information.

Posted on 12/16/25 1:18PM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Suspect Following Restraining Order Violation

Grants Pass Police officers were alerted to a domestic disturbance late Monday night.

At 11 p.m., a woman reported to dispatch that she and a man had been arguing while under the influence of alcohol in a SW Keegan's Court property. The two have a restraining order in which the man is the respondent.

The situation reportedly wasn't physical, and the man didn't have any weapons. He came on the line with dispatch saying that the woman has been letting him live there and she was going to drop the restraining order.

Officers arrived and contacted the man outside the property where he was then was arrested for the restraining order violation and a warrant for Contempt of Court.

He refused to walk to the patrol vehicle, and, while handcuffed, slammed himself into the vehicle causing a laceration. Officers brought him down to the grass to prevent further harm to himself.

The man was transported to Three Rivers Medical Center. While en-route, he continued to hit himself against the back partition. He was cleared at the medical center, and further reported to law enforcement that the woman assaulted him back at the property.

Officers transported the man to the Josephine County Jail where he was lodged for Contempt of Court and his warrant.

Posted on 12/16/25 1:10PM by Alex Bauer

"What Water Means to Me" Water Quality Report Photo Contest 2025 Entries Needed

The City of Grants Pass is inviting the community to enter the 2025 Water Quality Report photo contest.

K-12, amateur, and professional photographers are encouraged to enter. The winning photos will be featured in the 2025 Water Quality Report. The first-place winner will receive $200, and second place will receive $100.

Participants must submit an original photo that demonstrates the theme, “What Water Means to Me." Images created by AI are not allowed. A full list of rules can be found at www.grantspassoregon.gov

Entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, and theme relevance, and winners will be notified via email by January 9. The deadline is 5 p.m. December 31. Entries must be submitted to smorgan@grantspass.oregon.gov

Posted on 12/16/25 12:25PM by Alex Bauer

JoCo Solid Waste Agency Accepting Funding Request Applications

The Josephine County Solid Waste Agency is now accepting applications for Funding Requests for not-for-profit projects.

Past approved applications include The Wolf Creek Railroad Clean Up, Rogue River Clean-up, and the Illinois Valley Tire Take Back Event.

Funding request applications are available in the City of Grants Pass Public Works Office at 101 NW A Street, Room 205, or at www.grantspassoregon.gov.

The deadline to submit a funding request is January 31, 2026. Requests can be submitted via email to smorgan@grantspassoregon.gov or mailed to 101 NW A Street.

For more information, participants are encouraged to call 541-450-6110.

Posted on 12/16/25 11:54AM by Alex Bauer

GP Police Apprehended Suspect on Warrants after No-Contact Complaint

Grants Pass Police apprehended a suspect wanted on two warrants after a no-contact complaint.

A woman called to report a man she had a no-contact order with wouldn't leave her house in the 900 block of Lincoln Road when asked to leave after having initially been allowed entry.

Yelling could be heard before the call disconnected. Dispatch was able to reconnect with the woman, who said the man was alone in the residence while she was outside.

The man then began walking on Lincoln Road towards Bridge Street and into someone's yard. He continued down Cottonwood Street towards Reinhart Volunteer Park. Officers were able to locate the suspect and identify him as Jacob Snyder.

He was detained, and the woman was notified. She did not wish to trespass Snyder, but officers did find him to be wanted on two warrants out of the Josephine County Sheriff's Office and the Oregon State Parole Board. His charges included Material Witness and a Parole Violation Weapon Offense.

During a consent search, Snyder was found in possession of a glass pipe with residue that tested presumptive positive for the presence of Meth. He was lodged in the Josephine County Jail on his warrants.

Posted on 12/16/25 11:49AM by Alex Bauer

I.V. Fire District, AMR, OSP Responded to Single Vehicle Accident in Selma

The Illinois Valley Fire District, AMR-Josephine County, and Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle accident on Redwood Highway this morning.

Around 5:41 this morning, the vehicle was found off the roadway near Hogue Drive and Wild Park Lane in Selma, on its side. One person was extricated and checked out with the medical unit.

OSP arrived and the scene was turned over to them. Jerry's Towing was utilized to remove the vehicle.

Posted on 12/16/25 10:38AM by Alex Bauer

Tuesday Meeting for Information Only after Commissioner Smith Absence

The Commissioner's morning meeting, initially for interviewing and the appointment for Josephine County Commissioner Position 1, couldn't proceed as planned.

Commissioner Ron Smith was absent. Because a quorum wasn't present, the board would not be able to proceed with interviews, deliberation, nor could any action be taken. The meeting was for information purposes only.

During the four minute meeting, Commissioner Chris Barnett asked Assistant Legal Counsel Leah Harper questions regarding the required process to fill a vacant county seat and next steps by the board if a quorum isn't present for a meeting.

He also asked at what point the board may seek help from elected officials to help fill the vacancy, and if today's lack of quorum would trigger any deadlines, extensions or alternative procedures. Ms. Harper said a memo will be sent out to the commissioners later today answering these questions.

She also confirmed that the board can't conduct deliberations or any activities to carry on county business or decision making when the board lacks quorum.

Posted on 12/16/25 10:25AM by Alex Bauer

City Council Moves Forward with Taskforce Non-Bargaining Salary Schedule

The Grants Pass City Council agreed to continue with the process to adjust the non-bargaining salary schedule during Monday's workshop. Actual costs won't be discussed until a further workshop. There are currently 47 non-bargaining employees and 5 vacant positions. The council chose the Taskforce salary schedule grid, which includes an increase of 4% between annual steps up to market average, and 2% between annual steps above market average. Both moves pending performance review results. A 3.02% Cost of Living Adjustment will be applied to the grid. The council was split on the schedule taking effect either January or July of 2026, voted no on vacation accruals and a holiday adjustment for exempt employees, and will discuss phased implementation and longevity incentives at a later date. Next, the council agreed to move a direction decision for the Comprehensive Fee Schedule to Wednesday's meeting. During the agenda review, Councilman Rob Pell brought up concerns over the ethics of The Update podcast including a

Posted on 12/16/25 5:23AM by Alex Bauer

Commissioners Workshop Agenda includes County Property Energy Application, Offer

The Board of County Commissioners workshop agenda includes an Oregon Department of Energy application for a county-owned building and offer for property.

The Legal Counsel update also includes an administrative policy, then the board will consider department business from the Treasurer, District Attorney, Community Justice, Sheriff, Public Works, Recreation, Facilities, and Human Resources.

Under Board Business are board orders, an Oregon State University Extension update, rescheduling of the Regular Weekly Business Session Meeting of the Board for 2026, plus Airport Advisory Committee and Anne G. Basker Auditorium Rental applications.

Tuesday's County Administration Workshop will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room, and will be streamed at www.josephinecounty.gov/livestream.

Posted on 12/15/25 4:54PM by Alex Bauer

Board of Commissioners to Begin Interviews for Vacancy

The Josephine County Board of Commissioners will interview for the Commissioner Vacancy Position 1 Tuesday morning.

At 9 a.m., the board will meet in the BCC Conference room for the interviews, followed by an appointment for the position.

According to the County website, similar meetings will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings at 10:00 a.m., with each meeting having interviews and an appointment for the vacancy on the agenda.

Posted on 12/15/25 4:54PM by Alex Bauer

Commissioner’s General Discussion Canceled Due to Lack of Quorum

The scheduled General Discussion meeting for the Board of County Commissioners scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon was short lived, about one minute. Commission Chair Chris Barnett read the Oregon statute stating a meeting may not be held without a quorum. Commissioner Ron Smith was not at the meeting forcing Commissioner Barnett to adjourn at 1:31 p.m. This statement appeared on Commissioner Smith’s Facebook page at about 10 a.m. Monday….“Many Oregonians remember when Republican state senators walked out of the Legislature in 2019 and again in 2020 to deny quorum and stop legislation they believed would harm the people of Oregon. ….. the reality is that it was an available procedural tool, and it was used to prevent something from moving forward. I have chosen to use that same procedural option to deny quorum to stop what I believe is a flawed process for appointing a vacant seat on the Josephine County Board of Commissioners….This is not about delaying the process, it is about ensuring that the process is fair, transparent, and gives qualified citizens a reasonable opportunity to participate.”Again, that is a direct quote from Commissioner Smith’s Facebook page.

Posted on 12/15/25 2:05PM by Chuck Benson

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