Wallowa County Commissioners tackle funding challenges, infrastructure needs, and community investments during May meetings
By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
ENTERPRISE — From youth sports and rural transit service to landfill finances and community events, Wallowa County Commissioners spent much of May balancing rising costs against limited funding sources while working to support essential services, economic development, and quality-of-life projects throughout the county.
Across two meetings last month, commissioners approved funding for local events and recreation, advanced transportation and stewardship projects, addressed long-term infrastructure concerns, and warned residents about a sophisticated scam targeting county planning applicants.
Supporting Community Events and Youth Recreation
Commissioners approved $10,000 for improvements to Wallowa County Little League fields, splitting the funding evenly between Video Lottery and Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) revenues.
The upgrades will include new bases, diamond dust, fencing, and safety improvements designed to improve playing conditions for the league’s 354 players across 31 teams and position the county to host the 2027 district baseball and softball tournament.
Commissioners noted that hosting a district tournament could bring hundreds of visiting families to Wallowa County during the mid-June shoulder tourism season, providing an economic boost for local lodging, restaurants, and retailers.
The board also approved $2,000 for the Mountain High Bronx and Bulls rodeo event, using a combination of Video Lottery and Transient Lodging Tax.
Organizers told commissioners the event remains free to attend and depends heavily on sponsorships and volunteer support. Rising fuel, contractor, and event costs have placed increasing pressure on organizers, who have attempted to avoid raising sponsorship rates.
Commissioners acknowledged the challenge of supporting community events while facing tighter tourism-related revenues and increasing demands on county funding programs.
The discussion led to a broader conversation about establishing a formal policy for future community funding requests, including criteria for recurring events, one-time requests, tourism impacts, and economic development benefits.
Landfill Finances Prompt Discussion of Fee Increases
One of the month’s most significant long-term discussions centered on the county landfill.
County staff reported the landfill has operated at a financial deficit for at least five consecutive years despite efforts to control expenses. Rising labor, fuel, equipment, permit, and regulatory compliance costs have steadily increased operating expenses.
Commissioners reviewed a proposal that would increase landfill rates by approximately 30 percent, with additional annual adjustments in future years to avoid larger increases later.
Staff noted that future expenses include construction of additional landfill cells, estimated to cost more than $100,000 each, as well as the 30 years of monitoring required by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality after eventual closure of the landfill.
Commissioners generally agreed that rate increases are likely unavoidable but emphasized the need for public notice and a clear long-term strategy. Discussions also included the possibility of expanding operating days, adding a full-time attendant to reduce unauthorized dumping, and evaluating whether the county should eventually continue operating a landfill or transition to a transfer station model.
Transit Funding Secured Through 2029
Commissioners renewed the county’s partnership with Community Connections of Northeast Oregon to provide transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities through 2029.
The service is funded through the federal Section 5310 transportation program and supports medical appointments, shopping trips, dialysis transportation to La Grande, and other essential travel needs.
Although the county receives no administrative funding through the program, commissioners described the service as critical rural infrastructure and noted that ridership levels have been stronger than some had expected.
East Moraine Stewardship and Tribal Partnership Continue
The board approved a contract with the Nez Perce Tribe to conduct a cultural plant study within the East Moraine community forest.
Funding for the project comes through grants and stewardship funding managed by the land trust and associated organizations rather than through the county’s general fund.
Commissioners also discussed the long-term future of East Moraine stewardship, noting that major donations that helped launch the project will eventually decline. The board expressed interest in identifying a sustainable funding structure, potentially through a nonprofit or foundation model.
Transportation and Infrastructure Projects Advance
Commissioner Lisa Collier will also represent Region 5 during an Oregon Transportation Commission and Northeast Area Commission on Transportation report-out in Corvallis as part of efforts to strengthen Eastern Oregon’s voice in statewide transportation planning.
Other transportation-related actions included approval of a 2026 Chevrolet 2500 crew cab pickup for the County Road Department and renewal of an intergovernmental agreement with Umatilla County for cartographic services.
Election Participation and Civic Engagement Highlighted
Following the recent election, commissioners thanked local candidates, election workers, and county staff who assisted with the voting process.
Commissioners noted that local turnout was estimated at approximately 55 percent, significantly higher than statewide turnout figures, but expressed hope that even more residents would participate in future elections.
The board also congratulated returning and newly elected officials and emphasized the importance of continued civic engagement.
County Warns Residents About Planning Department Scam
Planning staff alerted commissioners to a fraud scheme targeting land-use applicants.
According to county officials, scammers are obtaining names and project information from publicly available planning documents and sending fraudulent invoices that appear to come from the county. Some fake invoices reportedly include forged county letterhead and spoofed email addresses.
No known victims have paid the fraudulent invoices, but the county is taking steps to reduce the risk.
Officials are removing personal contact information from publicly posted planning documents and developing fraud-warning materials for application packets. Applicants are being urged to contact the Planning Department directly before paying any unexpected invoice.
Additional County Business
Other actions and updates during May included:
- Approval of a City of Joseph sewage treatment agreement.
- Certification of Wallowa County parks for the 2026-27 operating year.
- Initiation of an Oregon State Marine Board grant for dock and float replacement projects at Wallowa Lake.
- Approval of an alley vacation in Troy’s Vallon Loop area to resolve longstanding property and septic-system issues.
- Discussion of upcoming Blue Mountains Forest Plan revision meetings.
- Updates on local wolf activity and reports of increased fox and coyote sightings.
- Notice of wildfire preparedness outreach events hosted by Pacific Power.
- Planning for a June public hearing regarding a minor road easement vacation.
- Approval of a lease arrangement for Safe Harbors’ return to county-owned space.
Commissioners also took time to honor longtime county employee Ed Gomes, recognizing his years of public service and extending condolences to his family.
