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Residents urge Jefferson County to investigate aquatic center finances and governance
Summary
Multiple residents told commissioners the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District misused bond and loan money, alleged ethics and public‑meeting violations, and asked the county to use its loan relationship to demand oversight or withhold future funding.
Dozens of residents used the county's public‑comment period to press Jefferson County commissioners to investigate the governance and finances of the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District (MACRD).
"Where is the fiscal responsibility?" asked Judy Hogan, citing records she said showed the district treated bond overpayments as operating revenue and moved $40,000 from a general fund to cover a $25,000 shortfall. Hogan urged the county to step in unless the district replaces leadership.
Several speakers echoed that view and provided specific concerns: Carrie Graham, reading on behalf of Susan Kabari, said MACRD faces active ethics and public‑meeting investigations and questioned compliance with grant terms for a clean‑air HVAC upgrade. "These issues also undermine public confidence in the district's governance and operations," Graham said. Vanessa Millis said a county permit pulled for MACRD's HVAC work in 2023 had not been finaled or inspected, raising insurance and liability concerns.
Other speakers said the pool has been closed for months while the school swim team still uses the facility, leaving taxpayers without the services they funded. "If it's not gonna be open for us, then it needs to be defunded all the way and put in a private entity," said Thomas Carson.
Commissioners did not take immediate formal action but discussed next steps. Commissioner [functional title: Commissioner, speaker 4] asked whether the commission should explain to residents why the county might or might not assume responsibility for a special district, and whether the city of Madras had been similarly approached. Community Development Director Derek Payne told residents he would follow up directly: "I am gonna follow‑up on it, though, and see what the disconnect is because that's an issue." The board closed public comment and moved on to its regular agenda.
The transcript shows repeated requests that the county consider oversight because MACRD uses a county tax‑anticipation loan. Commissioners asked staff to gather records and consider what legal or financial options the county has. No vote or directive to assume operational control was made at the meeting.
