A meeting of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners called for Dec. 23, 2025, to consider appointing a commissioner to Position No. 1 was adjourned after Commissioner Ron Smith announced he would not participate because litigation had been filed against him and the county.

The chair recorded the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and explained the session had been convened under the Josephine County Charter and Oregon law to consider the appointment. During roll call, staff asked for Commissioner Smith, and Smith responded, "I'm not gonna participate in this meeting as there's been litigation filed against me and against the county," saying he would not put the county "in harm." The chair then noted that Commissioner Smith was absent and that a quorum was not present.

With a quorum lacking, the chair declared the board was unable to conduct business requiring board action and adjourned the public meeting at 10:05 a.m. The record states: "With no quorum present and no further board business able to be conducted, this meeting of the Josephine County Board of Commissioners is adjourned." No motions or votes were taken on the appointment.

After adjourning the public meeting, the presiding official remained for an informal, informational session with county legal counsel. The chair emphasized that "this is not a meeting of the board" and that "no action will be taken." Counsel (Huron) said they had the litigation filing and a case number in front of them and advised limiting discussion about the matter until counsel could review the case, saying, "I have it in front of me, and there's a there's a case number," and recommending caution about further comment.

County counsel told the presiding official they would obtain and review the mandamus filing and speak with Commissioner Smith if he was available. The session concluded with the chair reiterating that no decisions had been made during the informational discussion.

Next steps were not set on the public record; counsel indicated they would review the case and advise the board on procedural options related to the appointment once they had done so.