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Public commenter alleges Sheriff signed undisclosed contracts; board did not act
Summary
A public commenter told the Klamath County Board of Commissioners that Sheriff Shane Mitchell and Under Sheriff Mike Smith signed two contracts without board approval; the board recorded the allegation during public comment but took no formal action at the meeting.
During public comment at the Dec. 16, 2025 Klamath County Board of Commissioners meeting, an in‑person speaker accused Sheriff Shane Mitchell and Under Sheriff Mike Smith of entering two separate contracts "outside of the [board's] approval," saying the contracts were signed personally by the sheriff and not disclosed to the board.
The commenter stated the contracts were "nearing the amount of over $2,500" and alleged the sheriff and under sheriff intentionally did not seek board permission or disclose the agreements. The board acknowledged the comment on the public record; no staff or county official responded with details at the meeting and no motion was made to investigate during the session.
The board continued with its agenda items, including multiple votes on contracts, IGAs and budget items. County staff and the sheriff’s office were listed elsewhere in the agenda for related items (storage unit MOU and other agreements), but the Dec. 16 record contains no immediate denial, clarification or staff follow‑up to the public commenter’s allegation.
Because the accusation was offered during public comment and not raised as a formal agenda item, the board did not take formal action at the meeting. The record shows no vote, staff report or formal referral tied to the allegation during the Dec. 16 session. The transcript records the names of the individuals alleged to be involved: Sheriff Shane Mitchell and Mike Smith (identified as under sheriff).
