District Staff:

Fire Chief, Sean Hartley and Administrative Assistant, Dana Schulke

.

Palmer: “It was found that that needed to be paid off, paid back via a very old Oregon Revised Statute...”

.

“It has to be paid back by all taxing districts, special districts, whatever, in the county that it happened in irrespective of whether you benefited we-Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue benefited from that money.”

.

“This meeting is to discuss that and hopefully make some decisions on actions moving forward.

.

For myself, and this is just my opinion is just my opinion, I think there is a three, three issues, three- prong approach that we should consider.

.

You all got the letter from the attorney that basically says that because of the ORS (Oregon Revised Statute) and because there is in fact an Oregon Supreme Court precedent in this, we’re probably out of luck.

.

That said, I do still think we need to investigate and look into what types of legal action we have available to us, if any.

.

The other, number two, I really think that we need to be in very direct talks with the Jefferson County Commissioners, as well as the other special districts that are having to bear this weight that got nothing from this overpayment.

.

Finally, we need to really, really have to work with the other special districts, as well as the Special District Association of Oregon and anyone else we can rope into this to get this law changed...”

.

“We cannot sustain paying back somebody’s else’s mistake...”

.

Fire District’s Obligation: “SIXTY-THREE THOUSAND”

.

Discussion followed, the public was allowed to interact-ask questions and the meeting concluded with the Directors voting to “create three sub-committees” specifically designed to pursue legal options, as well as to look for ways to work with the impacted local political/ government entities.

.

 Lastly, to explore legislative action to change the subject law.

.

WHAT ABOUT PGE-HAVE THEY COMMENTED?

 

According to Chief Hartley, Jefferson County has requested a meeting with PGE and their representatives. To date the County is waiting to hear back from them.

.

Today, Ranch Matters contacted a “Third Party Reporting Center” used by PGE for submitting, documenting and/or requesting comments from PGE’s CEO, Maria M. Pope, or a PGE Board of Director.

We were told a report was initiated and a reference number was assigned, and our request will be forwarded immediately.

.

As an aside, PGE’s CEO, Maria M. Pope makes “6.97M” annually.

.

RELATED: “BY HOOK OR BY CROOK”