Temporary board interviews nine candidates for Josephine County commissioner vacancies
Loading...
Summary
A temporary board interviewed nine applicants for two county commissioner vacancies on Feb. 18, 2026; members disclosed potential conflicts of interest and delegated score tabulation to the clerk, who will identify the two highest-scoring candidates for selection.
Chair Dustin Calvo called a special meeting of the Temporary Board of Other Elective Administrative Officials to order at 8:50 a.m. on Feb. 18, 2026, and the board proceeded to interview nine applicants for two open county commissioner seats.
All members of the temporary board declared potential conflicts of interest during opening remarks. Several members said they personally know some applicants; Peter Allen, the county surveyor, noted that some applicants have used services from his private surveying business. Wally Hicks, legal counsel, told the board that the county would not provide lunch for the meeting and that members were paying for their own meals.
The board interviewed the nine approved applicants in turn: Colene Martin, Lorna Jessee, Jonathan Knapp, Matthew Moser, Russell McAlmond, Darius Englen, Gary Richardson, Michael Burdge and Simon Hare. Questions were drawn from an approved list and asked of each candidate.
Applicant Jonathan Knapp submitted a written "90-Day Interim Transition Plan" (marked Exhibit 1) outlining a three-phase approach if appointed. In Phase 1 he proposes departmental audits and a fiscal check-in to confirm spending aligns with ORS 294 appropriations. Phase 2 calls for policy review with legal counsel and streamlined agenda processes; Phase 3 calls for documentation of administrative decisions and a quarterly self-audit to meet Oregon Government Ethics Commission standards.
After the interviews, the board discussed how to score candidates and determine the top two applicants. The board decided that Clerk Rhiannon Henkels will tabulate all interview scores; Chair Dustin Calvo and the county's Human Resources staff may review the results for transparency and accuracy. The transcript does not record a formal motion or vote on that decision.
The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m. The board will use the tabulated scores to identify the two highest-rated applicants for the vacancies; the transcript does not record a formal selection or final appointment at this session.