Baker County Commissioners Push Back on Juvenile Department Rent Hike

The building that houses Baker County's Juvenile Department has a new owner, and he wants almost three times the current rent. Cliff Robertson proposed raising the monthly rate from $550 to $1,500, a jump of $950 that sent commissioners scrambling at their March 18 meeting.

Commissioners expressed strong concern over the proposed increase, which the Baker City Herald described as "nearly $1,000 per month." Robertson agreed to hold the rent at $550 through June 30, 2026, the end of the county's fiscal year, giving commissioners time to weigh their options before the higher rate takes effect.

What those options look like remains an open question. The county has until its fiscal year closes to decide whether to accept the new terms, negotiate further with Robertson, or find alternative office space for the juvenile department. No commissioners were quoted by name in available reporting, and Robertson offered no public statement explaining the rationale behind the proposed increase.

The news drew swift reaction on the Baker City Herald's Facebook page. Resident Mandy Pasadyn acknowledged the difficulty of the situation: "I'm not trying to be a jerk but $550 is insanely low. That is quite a hike but there's no way they would find one that cheap anymore." One commenter argued the increase may be illegal, writing that rent hikes "are only limited to 9.5%" under landlord-tenant law, though that claim has not been verified against Oregon statutes or confirmed by county legal counsel. Liam Reeves asked whether the Rachel center next door to the juvenile department building faces similar changes under the new ownership.

The county now has roughly three months to decide how to house one of its core service departments at a sustainable cost.