County audits now up-to-date

Though a few variances and noncompliance issues were noted, most were due to audits that were filed late in previous years. One area of note was the lack of proof or documentation that the county received appropriate quotes and bids prior to finalizing property transactions. Otherwise, the county mostly received unmodified opinions for the audits.

USDA Wildlife Services

Three members from USDA Wildlife Services proposed a $40,000 budget be allocated for county needs throughout the coming year. Brian Thomas (NW District Supervisor), Matt Alex (Wildlife Biologist), and Mike Radcliffe (Regional Specialist for the county) specified recent county needs and suggested possible future needs considering inflation and retirement rates of volunteers.

Wildlife Services protects people, agriculture, and animals by removing and relocating predators and non-predators. They often pair with ODFW and ODOT for things such as bird and nesting management at airports, and disease monitoring and sampling. The team mentioned recent work helping beavers and removing bears from county orchards.

Wildlife Services uses lethal and nonlethal forms of direct control with either chemical or device methods. With 55 employees in Oregon, they also facilitate protection of agriculture, livestock, and threatened or endangered species.

Thomas’s letter to the county stated: “This [budget] is an ideal opportunity to create a program in Hood River County where we can provide a high level of service and parties can cost share to reduce expenses. While we are a federal agency, we operate on a fee-for-service basis, with additional funding provided through state, federal, and private sources.”

Their $40,000 budget request would only be used on an as-needed basis, and commissioners decided a further need for research and consideration prior to the next budgeting cycle before choosing to allocate these funds. They expressed that while it sounds like a helpful investment, they require proof that agricultural community members require these services.