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Resident raises concerns about Forest View Special Road District appointments, asks county for review
Summary
A resident told commissioners the Forest View Special Road District has not held elections for board positions in eight years and alleged appointments without district notice; county staff advised legal routes and said the county clerk does not run special district elections.
A resident from the Forest View Special Road District told the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners that the district has not held elections for board positions in eight years and that appointments have been made without notifying district residents.
Daniel Jones told the board he had filed a grievance on Dec. 17 and provided a response he received from the district dated Dec. 27. “I'm concerned because the district has not held an election for its board positions in 8 years,” Jones said. He asked whether commissioners confirm that appointments reflect district member input, saying he believed the appointment process excluded taxpayers who pay district taxes.
County staff and legal counsel responded during citizen input. A member of county staff said the county clerk does not administer special district elections and that running elections for every special road district would be costly and could reduce road maintenance funds. County legal counsel said the county could provide background information about statutory requirements and governance for special districts and that grievances or allegations of malfeasance could be pursued through legal channels or with the district attorney.
What happened next: Jones said he will pursue the matter legally. Staff offered to point him to Oregon Revised Statutes and to provide contact information for legal counsel; staff emphasized that members of the special district would need to pursue remedies if they believe the district is acting outside legal bounds.
Why it matters: Special road districts oversee road maintenance in unincorporated areas and levy taxes on district property owners; concerns about election and appointment procedures raise questions about local representation and transparency.
Ending: Staff told Jones they could provide statutory citations and explanatory materials; Jones said he is available to meet with staff and attend a district board meeting.
