In a move aimed at restoring public confidence and distancing himself from a fast-growing controversy, Josephine County Commissioner Ron Smith has issued a public statement denouncing the creation of personalized “challenge coins” bearing commissioners’ names—an action he says he neither authorized nor condoned.
Commissioner Smith said he first became aware of the coins just over a week ago, when he happened upon one on a county staff member’s desk. The coin, adorned with the names and titles of the commissioners, immediately raised red flags for Smith. According to his account, he asked where it came from and was informed that one of the other commissioners had ordered them. That prompted him to request receipts and payment documentation to determine who had authorized the coins and how they were paid for.
“I had absolutely no prior knowledge of these coins,” Smith said in his public statement. “Nor would I ever support spending taxpayer money on something so frivolous.”
Smith, who has consistently championed fiscal accountability, transparency, and limited government waste, was adamant that he would never vote to approve such an expenditure. “This is not how I believe public funds should be used,” he added.
But the story doesn’t end there. In fact, it’s just beginning —
The Grants Pass Tribune formally filed a public records request shortly after learning about the coins. The goal: to uncover who authorized the purchase, whether taxpayer dollars were used, and what internal approval—if any—was given. The request specifically sought all correspondence, invoices, and credit card records related to the transaction.
However, as of publication, the request, like so many others, has gone unanswered. The County has yet to fulfill its legal obligation to respond within the timeframe established under Oregon’s public records laws. This continued stonewalling has only added fuel to the fire and raised additional questions about what the Board of Commissioners may be trying to hide.
Rumors Swirl Around Commissioner Barnett and Administrator Sellers
Adding to the storm are persistent rumors that Commissioner Chris Barnett, no stranger to political controversy, may have been the one who initiated and ordered the coins. These claims remain unconfirmed, but the buzz among county staff and political observers is loud enough to be taken seriously.
Making matters worse, it is rumored that County Administrator Michael Sellers’ “P Card”, credit card was used to purchase the coins. If true, this raises an even more troubling issue: that the County’s top non-elected executive may have facilitated a politically motivated purchase without board-wide approval, creating a serious conflict in his administrative role.
Yet, instead of answers, the public and the press have been met with silence.
Commissioner Smith appears just as frustrated. “I thought, ‘Good — this needs to come to light,’” he said when he saw that the Tribune had submitted the public records request. “But now I find myself having to explain something I had no role in. That’s not right.”
He went on to say he “will not take responsibility for someone else’s decisions,” calling on the individual who ordered the coins to step forward and explain their actions.
The challenge coin fiasco has sparked an intense community backlash, with residents calling the coins a symbol of wasteful spending and political vanity. In a particularly sharp rebuke, some residents have begun circulating parody coins emblazoned with the phrase “Recall Them All,” a reference to growing calls for political accountability and change.
This satirical response underscores the level of public frustration with what many see as a pattern of unaccountable governance in Josephine County.
And yet, despite mounting pressure, neither Commissioner Barnett nor Administrator Sellers has publicly responded to the rumors or addressed the challenge coin issue.
Commissioner Smith’s remarks serve as a rare moment of candor in a political environment that often prefers secrecy over transparency. He insists he is committed to honesty with constituents, and to governing with integrity—even if that means calling out his peers.
“I want to be transparent about what I do know and what I didn’t know,” Smith stated. “Whoever ordered the coins should be the one to explain why and how they did so. That’s their burden — not mine.”
As the Tribune continues to press for answers through formal legal channels, and as the public grows increasingly restless, one thing is clear: this is no longer just about a few metal coins. It’s about proper leadership, trust, and the accountability that taxpayers deserve.
If the rumors prove true, and public funds or administrative authority were misused, the challenge coin scandal may mark a turning point in Josephine County politics—one that forces long-overdue reckoning among its leadership.