Commissioner Blocked From Discussing Ethics Investigation

The Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) has opened a formal investigation into possible violations of Oregon’s Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610–705) by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. The investigation centers on whether county business was conducted through private or electronic workflows instead of during properly noticed public meetings. The probe, which began after Commissioner Casey Miller self-reported concerns in July, has intensified scrutiny of how the Board makes decisions. Those tensions came to a head at the October 15 Board of Commissioners meeting, when Miller was blocked from presenting a transparency resolution he drafted in response to the OGEC findings.

In its September 19 preliminary review, the OGEC found a “substantial objective basis” to believe Lincoln County Commissioners had participated in decision-making outside of public meetings. The report states that between May 11 and June 10, 2025, the county’s Human Resources Director, David Collier, sent individual electronic voting requests to commissioners — Chair Claire Hall, Vice Chair Walter Chuck, and Commissioner Miller — asking them to approve or deny hiring-freeze exceptions. Miller did not respond to the email and asked for a work session to discuss the issue.

While the county characterized the process as administrative, OGEC investigators determined that the actions likely constituted official decisions requiring public notice, open deliberation, and recorded votes. The Commission found potential violations of Oregon’s Public Meetings Law, including failures to provide public notice, record individual votes, and prohibit secret ballots. The case now proceeds to a full investigation, which could last up to 180 days.

In response to the OGEC findings, Commissioner Miller drafted a Transparency and Compliance Resolution to acknowledge the investigation and suspend electronic approval systems pending review. The measure also directed staff to prepare a 30-day inventory of all administrative decisions made outside of public meetings since January 2023 and to develop a verified compliance framework aligned with state law. When commissioner Miller attempted to present his proposed resolution before public comment, Vice Chair Walter Chuck — who chaired the meeting in Chair Claire Hall’s excused absence — did not allow him to continue speaking, replying that it was not an agenda item.

Audience members expressed frustration and called for Miller to be allowed to proceed. Miller later said his intent was to ensure compliance with Oregon law and to restore public confidence in the county’s decision-making process. “I submitted this resolution in good faith to help our county comply with Oregon law and rebuild public trust,” Miller said. “It is deeply concerning that I wasn’t allowed to even read it aloud.” As of posting, county officials had not provided a statement, or returned phone calls to Oregon Coast Breaking News explaining why the resolution was not allowed to be discussed.

Miller has said he will be submitting the Transparency and Compliance Resolution to be put on the next board agenda for November 5th The Resolution calls for:

• Full cooperation with the OGEC investigation.• Temporary suspension of NeoGov and SeamlessDocs (SeamlessGov) for any Board-level or policy-related actions, including hiring, budget exceptions, out-of-state travel, and grant submissions.• An administrative inventory and compliance report identifying all decisions made by or on behalf of the Board outside of public meetings since January 1, 2023.• Delivery of the report to both the Board of Commissioners and the OGEC Compliance & Enforcement Coordinator within 30 days.• Development of a verified compliance framework for all future workflows under ORS 192.610–705 and Oregon Department of Justice guidance.• A reaffirmation that all deliberations and decisions concerning county governance, personnel, and budget matters will occur in open, public meetings.

“This resolution is not about blame,” Commissioner Miller added. “It’s about aligning our practices with Oregon law and restoring public trust. Our residents deserve to know that decisions about hiring, spending, and governance are being made in the light of day.” The blocked presentation and the OGEC probe have intensified public concern over transparency in Lincoln County government. Some residents have voiced frustration at what they describe as limited public access and the lack of communication regarding Board discussions. “Transparency is not optional,” Miller stated. “It’s the foundation of public service.”