Bend, OR – The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has voted to resolve an ethics complaint against Lane County officials, opting for an educational response rather than a fine. The complaint, filed by a group of local garbage haulers, accused the Lane County Commissioners of holding two illegal executive sessions in 2023.
Executive sessions are private meetings held by elected officials under specific circumstances, typically to discuss confidential matters such as legal issues or negotiations. In this case, the executive sessions concerned a recycling diversion facility that the garbage haulers opposed. The haulers argued that the commissioners had not properly followed Oregon’s public meeting laws when conducting these sessions.
The Oregon Ethics Commission investigated the matter and found that while the commissioners did notify the public about the meetings, the notices did not meet the full requirements outlined in Oregon’s public meeting laws. According to state law, public bodies are required to provide clear and specific notice of executive sessions, and the commission determined that Lane County’s efforts fell short.
In response, Lane County Commissioners and their legal team acknowledged the oversight, explaining that their practices had been in place for many years without realizing they were in violation of the law. The commissioners promised to update their procedures and ensure future compliance with the state’s public meeting laws.
On Friday, the Ethics Commission voted to resolve the matter by issuing a letter of education to each of the five commissioners, rather than imposing a fine or more severe penalties. The letter will provide guidance on how to ensure better adherence to public meeting and notice requirements going forward.
“The decision to issue letters of education rather than fines reflects the commission’s recognition that the commissioners were not intentionally violating the law,” said a spokesperson for the commission. “It also serves as an opportunity for them to improve their understanding of the legal requirements for public meetings.”
The resolution of this case highlights the ongoing importance of transparency in local government operations. Critics of the commissioners have long argued that such executive sessions should be subject to close scrutiny, especially when decisions involve matters of public interest, such as waste management and recycling.
While the Lane County Commissioners have promised to revise their practices, the incident raises broader questions about the consistency of public meeting law enforcement across the state. Legal experts emphasize that public bodies must ensure they comply with state transparency regulations to maintain public trust.
The resolution is seen as a win for the garbage haulers who brought the issue to light but also serves as a reminder of the need for government officials to stay vigilant in their adherence to the law.
As Lane County moves forward, all eyes will be on how the commissioners implement the changes outlined in their agreement with the Ethics Commission.
