Board votes to send William Bailey grievance to advisory arbitration

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on April 22 to refer the employment grievance filed by William Bailey to advisory arbitration, a step county counsel recommended because the grievance raises numerous legal and factual issues.

County counsel Dave Doyle summarized the March 2 termination and staff’s recommendation: "Staff recommends that the board of commissioners approve what's presented before you, which is order 2026‑015, which would direct this pending grievance to advisory arbitration," he told the board. Doyle said advisory arbitration would produce a written advisory opinion from an experienced employment arbitrator to help clarify the many issues before the commission holds any final hearing.

Commissioners and counsel described the arbitration as an additional level of due process. Doyle noted the grievance lists “no less than 18 separate legal and or factual issues” and said arbitration provides an evidentiary forum with witness testimony and cross‑examination. The arbitrator will be selected from a list of experienced employment arbitrators and must be acceptable to both parties.

The board approved the order directing arbitration; staff said scheduling will depend on calendars but estimated a turnaround measured in months rather than weeks. County legal also said arbitration typically occurs privately unless all parties and the arbitrator agree to make proceedings public.

What’s next: staff will work with Bailey’s representative and county counsel to select an arbitrator and schedule the proceeding; the arbitrator’s advisory decision would then be used to inform a subsequent public hearing before the board.