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Josephine County commissioners authorize HR staff to finalize workers' compensation settlement
Summary
The Board of Commissioners held an executive session June 26 to consider a workers' compensation claim, delegated authority to Human Resources staff member Natalie Eckhardt-Doupe to complete the settlement with legal counsel, and authorized Chair Ron A. Smith to sign the final agreement; settlement terms were not specified.
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners held an executive session June 26, 2026, to consider settlement of a workers' compensation claim and returned to open session to approve delegation of settlement authority.
Commissioner Gary L. Richardson moved to delegate authority to Natalie Eckhardt-Doupe of the county's Human Resources office to complete the workers' compensation settlement agreement in coordination with legal counsel Sean Ray, Esq., and to authorize Chair Ron A. Smith to execute the final agreement on behalf of Josephine County. Commissioner Ron A. Smith seconded the motion. In a roll call vote, Richardson, Commissioner Colene M. Martin and Chair Smith each voted yes; the motion carried 3-0.
The agenda cited ORS 192.660(2)(f) as the legal basis for holding the executive session to discuss the proposed settlement. The record states that executive-session minutes were filed separately. The transcript and meeting record do not specify the amount or other terms of the settlement.
The board adjourned at 11:18 a.m. following the action; the county recorder listed attendees as Commissioners Ron A. Smith, Colene M. Martin and Gary L. Richardson, and recorder Nikole Guzman. Other attendees noted in the record included Sean Ray, Esq., and Natalie Eckhardt-Doupe of Human Resources, and member of the press Chrissy Ewald of the Daily Courier.
