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Motion to pay $68,000 Association of O&C Counties invoice fails after no second
Summary
Commissioner Smith moved to pay a $68,000 invoice to the Association of O&C Counties citing access to federal officials; the motion failed for lack of a second. Public commenters urged clearer agenda posting and a written commitment from the association on mineral issues.
Commissioner Smith moved to approve payment of a $68,000 invoice to the Association of O&C (O&C) Counties at the Josephine County Board of Commissioners’ weekly business session on May 20, 2025, but the motion died for lack of a second.
The motion was introduced after discussion in which Smith said membership in the association would give the county “a little more clout” and “the ability to get an appointment with the deputy secretary of interior, that deputy secretary of agriculture,” arguing that access to federal decisionmakers could help the county because about 69% of Josephine County is federally controlled. Commissioner Barnett said he had no comment on the proposal; another commissioner said he was concerned about the cost and did not see the justification for the membership fee.
Public comment included remarks from Jay Meredith of Josephine County, who said the invoice amount—$68,000—was a sizable expenditure and urged the board to secure a written commitment from O&C staff to engage on mineral values on O&C lands. “I almost didn't know you were going to be talking about it today because agendas are only being posted, you know, a day or 2 in advance,” Meredith said, urging the board to post packets earlier. Meredith also recommended the Association address mineral-value opportunities for the county.
Commissioner Smith framed the association as a vehicle to help the county access federal officials and to pursue economic benefits tied to federally controlled acreage. A second commissioner expressed concern that the membership fee might not produce a clear return and questioned the county spending without a clear benefit. The board later returned to the item; Commissioner Smith made a motion to approve the invoice, but the motion received no second and therefore failed.
The discussion also prompted a separate exchange about agenda-posting timelines. Meredith said he had checked with the Oregon Ethics Commission and that routine meetings require agenda posting at least 48 hours in advance; county staff and commissioners stated their understanding was that a 24-hour posting requirement applies and asked for any contrary statutory citations be forwarded to the county for review.
No motion to reconsider or alternative motion was made before the meeting moved on. The item may be placed on a future agenda for further consideration.
