I am committed to conducting county business in a way that is transparent, orderly, and worthy of the public’s trust.
I have instructed staff to schedule a Board of Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, February 11 to define the application process for filling the current commissioner vacancy. Establishing a clear, publicly adopted framework will help ensure the process is fair to applicants and understandable to our community.
At that meeting, I will suggest that Commissioner Walter Chuck and I each publicly identify our top ten candidates, followed by an open discussion to agree on the timeline and selection process. Taking these steps in public allows residents to see how decisions are made and ensures accountability at every stage.
Public confidence grows when government decisions are made in the open, guided by clear rules rather than informal processes. I believe this approach best serves Lincoln County and the people who call it home.
Date: February 5th, 2026
To:
Commissioner Chuck
County Counsel Yuille
MTEAM
BOC Administrative Staff (Agenda, Meeting Logistics, Preparation)
From: Commissioner Casey Miller, Co-Chair
Lincoln County Board of Commissioners
Re: Notice and Scheduling of Special Board of Commissioners Meeting on February 11th
Pursuant to my role as Tenured Co-Chair of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, and consistent with Oregon Public Meetings Law (ORS 192), I am requesting that staff notice and schedule a special public meeting of the Board to address time-sensitive governance and public safety matters.
Proposed Meeting Details
- Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Board of Commissioners Meeting Room #108, Newport, Oregon
- Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
- This meeting was previously requested
Purpose / Overview
This special meeting is requested to allow public discussion of time-sensitive governance matters.
If a Board member has a scheduling conflict with the proposed date or time, staff may coordinate a reasonable adjustment within the same business day, provided notice requirements under ORS 192 are met and no undue delay occurs.
Proposed Agenda (Principal Subjects)
- Commissioner Vacancy Appointment Process (Discussion/Possible Action)
Discussion of the ongoing topics, process and timeline for filling the current Board vacancy. - District Attorney Staffing Levels (Decision/Action)
Discussion of current staffing levels in the District Attorney’s Office. DA Wallace, HR, Finance and others. - Executive Session — ORS 192.660(2)(h)(i)
- To review and evaluate the employment-related performance of a public officer, employee, or staff member who has not requested an open hearing.
- To consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current or likely litigation.
Logistics and Scheduling
If there are logistical or statutory considerations affecting the proposed meeting date, time, or format, please advise promptly so they may be addressed without delay.
If any Board member is unavailable to attend in person, the meeting may proceed in hybrid format from the Board meeting room.
Thank you for your assistance in facilitating this meeting.
Commissioner Casey Miller
Co-Chair, Lincoln County Board of Commissioners