Curry County commissioners appoint Lynn Coker to fill Position 1; vote 2-0 with one abstention

The Curry County Board of Commissioners voted 2-0 April 23 to appoint Lynn Coker to fill the vacant Position 1 seat, effective May 2; Commissioner Brad Alcorn abstained from the vote.

The appointment followed a special meeting devoted to interviews after Isaac Hodges withdrew his application because of work conflicts. Commissioners heard from multiple applicants on matters ranging from planning staffing and zoning to public safety and homelessness before making the selection.

Board members said they reviewed written applications and heard oral interviews before deciding. Commissioner Brad Alcorn acknowledged the current workload and said the county needs someone who can be present daily: "I do feel that it's very important right now for the person who takes my place for them to be willing to, commit to a full time, everyday, duties because we've got some issues, some major issues that have to be moved forward." The motion to appoint Coker passed 2 to 0; Alcorn did not participate in the vote.

Applicants who spoke at the meeting outlined different priorities for the county. Jeremy Deumeier urged the board to pick a candidate who would try to rebuild trust between county government and law enforcement and advocated pursuing state funding, saying, "The choice is up to you. Do you want to appoint an individual who you may disagree with but who will work to rebuild the relationships in this county and who will do what the citizens ask or do you want to appoint a yes man?" John Huddle, another applicant who had interviewed earlier, withdrew his name and told the board, "I am withdrawing my name and supporting Lynn Coker." Coker, addressing the board during his interview, outlined a communications and outreach plan and said he would emphasize accountability and collaboration: "I will promote a culture of merit and excellence recognizing those who serve our county with integrity."

Commissioners noted several themes that emerged during the interviews, including concerns about staffing and timeliness in the planning department, the unresolved dispute between the board and the elected sheriff, and homelessness and public-safety challenges in Brookings, Harbor and other areas along Highway 101. Applicants described operational problems they said slowed development permitting and public projects; one applicant said the county's planning division previously had three to four staff and now appears to have one full-time administrative employee, creating delays for contractors and property owners.

Before the interviews, the board amended and approved the agenda and passed a consent agenda 3-0. Consent items added at the start of the meeting and approved included an engagement letter for Eric Kytola, an intent-to-engage for services with VF Law Firm, and an order authorizing emergency public contracting to repair Cedar Valley Road, Floris Creek Road, Sixes River Road and Northbank River Road following flood damage. Commissioners did not provide budget or contract-dollar details for the emergency contracting item during the meeting.

The board adjourned the special meeting immediately after the appointment. The commissioners indicated the court's pending declaratory-judgment proceedings with the sheriff will affect next steps in their relationship with the sheriff's office; no new direction to staff or formal follow-up schedule on that dispute was adopted at this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve amended agenda and add items (consent items 3a–3c): passed 3-0 (no roll-call names given in the record beyond recorded affirmations).

- Consent agenda (engagement letter for Eric Kytola; intent to engage VF Law Firm; emergency public contracting for Cedar Valley Road, Floris Creek Road, Sixes River Road and Northbank River Road): passed 3-0.

- Motion to appoint Lynn Coker to Position 1, effective May 2: passed 2-0 with Commissioner Brad Alcorn recorded as abstaining.

The board did not hold an executive session following the special meeting; the session was adjourned at about 2:05 p.m.