Grants Pass, September 16, 2025 — The Josephine Community Library District (JCLD) is correcting false statements issued by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners in a September 15 press release regarding the Grants Pass library lease. Contrary to the County’s claim that commissioners had “approved a fair and stable lease agreement with the library district,” no such agreement exists.
County legal counsel and the library’s legal counsel are still drafting a new lease, with Commissioner Andreas Blech. The matter was initially scheduled to come before the Board of County Commissioners on September 18 during the commissioners’ weekly business session, but Commissioner Blech has since moved the discussion to the September 23 administrative session.
The breakdown in negotiations stems from Commissioner Blech’s last-minute insertion of a “termination for convenience” clause during their August 21 meeting, allowing either party to cancel the lease on 30 days’ notice. The library has consistently stated it cannot operate responsibly under such conditions. Library leaders requested the County to use the same termination language that exists in the YMCA lease, which provides stability and fairness to both parties.
On August 26, library leaders held a press conference to state their position — the library remains open to collaboration with the County, provided the termination-for-convenience clause is removed.
“The commissioners’ press release distorts the reality of where things stand,” said Board President Gina Marie Agosta. “We are still in negotiations, and the only unresolved issue is the termination-for-convenience clause.”
Library Director Kate Lasky added, “We remain ready to finalize a lease that provides stability for the community and honors the County Charter, but we cannot agree to terms that threaten the library’s future on 30 days’ notice.”
The library will continue to keep the public informed. Community members may contact commissioners at bcc@josephinecounty.gov.