Another growing controversy is surrounding the Josephine County Board of Commissioners after revelations that a high-level personnel promotion and substantial salary increase were executed without the required public process, raising even more significant legal and ethical concerns about transparency in Josephine County government.
The issue centers on the promotion of Michael Sellers, the county’s Director of Information Technology and Emergency Management, to the additional role of Chief of Staff for the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). According to a Josephine County Personnel Action Form dated August 27, 2025, Sellers received a promotion with expanded responsibilities and a significant pay increase from $5,505.81 to $6,692.34 bi-weekly. This amounts to an annual salary increase from approximately $143,150 to $174,000, or about $14,505 per month, representing a 21.5 percent raise.
The promotion and pay adjustment were approved by Commissioners on August 27 and August 28 and signed by Chair Andreas Blech, Vice Chair Chris Barnett, and Commissioner Ron Smith. However, no public Board session or hearing was held to create or fill the Chief of Staff position, as required under Oregon’s public meeting laws and standard county personnel procedures. The position itself was neither advertised nor discussed in an open forum, and there is no evidence of a job posting or competitive hiring process.
The Political Action Committee Restore Josephine County (Restore Jo Co PAC) reported on September 13 that the Commissioners’ actions may have violated both public meeting laws and county administrative policies. The PAC alleges that the Board acted “behind closed doors” to promote Sellers and potentially create other new positions without the proper legal process. These allegations gained further traction when Commissioner Andreas Blech publicly denied the promotion twice—once on a local radio program and again during the County’s Weekly Business Session—despite the existence of the signed personnel form.
Following a public records request filed by a citizen, Restore Jo Co PAC confirmed on October 3 that the promotion had indeed taken place. In response to other recent personnel actions approved by the Commissioners in secret, Josephine County Legal Counsel Wally Hicks issued a memo warning county leadership about the legal risks of taking such personnel actions without proper procedures, emphasizing that the law requires public notice and approval for the creation of new positions and significant changes to employment terms.
At the heart of the legal concerns is Oregon’s public meetings law, which mandates that decisions regarding county positions and compensation must be deliberated and approved in open session. By approving Sellers’ new role and salary without a public hearing, the Board potentially violated state transparency requirements. Furthermore, the personnel action form itself was not signed by County Finance Office Management, which is a typical requirement for validating such changes.
The promotion to “Chief of Staff for the BCC Office” effectively created a new executive-level position in county government. According to Restore Jo Co PAC, the Board bypassed policies designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and public oversight. In addition, this was not the first time the Board had attempted a similar maneuver. According to the PAC, earlier in the year, the former Budget Officer allegedly proposed a comparable restructuring that would have resulted in a total compensation package for Sellers approaching $388,000 per year, though that attempt reportedly failed amid public pushback.
If proven, these actions could expose the county to legal challenges, including possible violations of Oregon Revised Statutes on open meetings, misuse of public funds, and failure to follow proper hiring protocols. These potential violations could also trigger state oversight or legal action to nullify the personnel changes.
Beyond legal questions, the promotion raises serious ethical concerns about accountability and public trust. The Board’s decision to conduct personnel changes in private, followed by public denials, has fueled criticism that Josephine County’s leadership is operating with a pattern of secrecy. Citizens and watchdog groups argue that the lack of transparency undermines confidence in local government and sets a dangerous precedent for future administrative actions.
Commissioners’ failure to correct public statements or disclose the promotion when questioned in official meetings further amplifies the ethical breach. The fact that both Commissioner Barnett and Commissioner Smith also signed off on the action suggests a coordinated decision made outside public view, contrary to the principles of open governance.
The controversy has intensified political tensions in the county. Restore Jo Co PAC, led by chief petitioner Jim Goodwin, has launched two recall petitions against Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett. The petitions, initiated in August, aim to bring the issue directly to voters, accusing the Commissioners of ignoring legal requirements, eroding public trust, and prioritizing insider deals over transparent governance. Petitioners are currently collecting signatures to place the recall measures on the ballot.
This latest revelation is not an isolated incident. Critics have pointed to a broader pattern of policy circumvention and opaque decision-making under the current Board’s leadership. Legal counsel’s warning memo underscores the seriousness of these ongoing governance lapses. If left unaddressed, the county could face increased legal liability, administrative instability, and public backlash in future elections.
As the county faces growing scrutiny, the promotion of Michael Sellers has become a focal point for broader debates about governance, transparency, and accountability in Josephine County. Whether through legal action, political consequences, or administrative reform, the Board’s decision to bypass the public process may have lasting implications for both the county government and its citizens.