Residents press Washington County for Clean Water Services transparency and records access

Several residents used the public-comment periods at the Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 22 to press the county and its Clean Water Services utility for greater financial transparency and records access.

Evelyn Coker, a Beaverton resident who identified herself as concerned about Clean Water Services governance, urged the board to require that an insurance entity affiliated with Clean Water Services be subject to Oregon public records law. "If an entity that is entirely owned by another entity that is funded by our tax dollars is not subject to public records law. That is that's the very dangerous precedent," Coker said. She asked the board to "fully audit and to fully, be a good steward of our taxpayer dollars" and said attempts to shield spending on trips and food should be subject to review under public records rules.

Other members of the public raised spending and management concerns about Clean Water Services in more pointed terms. John Woods referenced local reporting on expenditures and leadership compensation and called for change, saying the director "earns $392,000" (as stated by the speaker) and that senior executives should be accountable to the public and the board.

Bruce Bartlett, speaking earlier during public comment, offered a different utility-related message: he commended the board for continued county funding of extension services and thanked commissioners for supporting the programs that serve 4‑H youth and Master Gardeners. His remarks were distinct from the Clean Water Services accountability comments but took place in the same public-comment segment.

Board members noted the Clean Water Services budget committee and scheduled a Clean Water Services budget hearing on Friday, May 9 in the commission chambers. Commissioners and staff invited interested members of the public to that session for budget specifics and deeper review.