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Josephine County delays adoption of ordinance to revise commissioners' meeting rules after public objections
Summary
A second reading of Ordinance 2025-001, which would amend Chapter 2.05 of the Josephine County Code governing Board meetings, was held Thursday but the Board of Commissioners did not move to adopt the measure after public testimony called for clearer, fixed meeting times and improved notice.
A second reading of Ordinance 2025-001, an ordinance to amend Chapter 2.05 of the Josephine County Code governing meetings of the Board of County Commissioners, was held Thursday, but the board did not adopt the ordinance and took no formal vote to approve it.
Wally Hicks, the county's legal counsel, opened the hearing by summarizing the procedural requirement: "The Josephine County Charter requires, 2 readings, formal readings of any ordinance before the, Board can move to adopt." Hicks read the ordinance text by title and told the board that changes discussed in administrative meetings could only be implemented during a formal reading.
Members of the public urged the board to preserve a consistent meeting time and place, restore a monthly evening meeting, and post agendas earlier. Deb Berg, identifying herself as from Josephine County, said the board "needs to be here" and asked for "a set day, time, and place," calling for at least one evening meeting a month so working people can attend. Another speaker thanked the board for restoring the Anne Basker Auditorium in a draft but pressed again for fixed dates and times so residents can plan childcare and time off.
Rebecca Anderson noted the county should meet or exceed best practices for public notice, saying that posting agendas only on a courthouse wall is inadequate in a county of this size and urged the board to consider a citizen advisory committee on notice practices. Vicki Palmerton called the draft ambiguous and said when agendas are not posted consistently it undermines transparency.
Commissioner Ron Smith responded to public comments saying a regular day and time is important. Smith said Thursday at 10 a.m. "works really well" and proposed "one night a month, probably the second Thursday of the month, to a 06:00 meet" so working residents can attend. Chair Andreas Lehi said the measure was "not ready quite yet" and that the board would return to the item to "fine tune" the language.
The board did not make a motion to adopt the ordinance during the session. The chair moved on to the next agenda item after announcing no motion had been made.
The ordinance text read at the hearing referenced past amendments, the Josephine County Charter requirement that meeting rules be set by ordinance, changes to the description of the weekly business session (location and timing language), and standard severability and effective-date provisions. The reading stated the ordinance would take effect 90 days after adoption if adopted.
Next steps: Commissioners said they would revisit the draft to incorporate the public's input and administrative discussions; no adoption date was set at the meeting.
