Yesterday, the Josephine County Board of Commissioners held a closed-door executive session to address a formal complaint against Commissioner Ron Smith. The session, part of the regularly scheduled Legal Counsel Update, was conducted at 3:30 p.m. in the BCC Conference Room and included an update on the investigation, discussion of the complaint, and the county’s response. Though official details remain limited due to the private nature of executive sessions under Oregon law, the matter has generated considerable attention due to both the subject of the complaint and the person who brought it forward.
This is the second time in under two years that a complaint has been filed against a Josephine County commissioner, and in both cases, the complainant is reportedly former Finance and Human Resources Director Sandy Novak. The previous complaint was filed in 2023 against then-Commissioner Dan DeYoung. That complaint was never formally adjudicated in a court of law, but it led to significant internal fallout. DeYoung ultimately chose to retire from his role prior to the end of his term. Since then, rumors have circulated that DeYoung is considering legal action against the county, although no lawsuit has been publicly confirmed.
Now, Commissioner Ron Smith finds himself at the center of a similar situation. The complaint, which is believed to have been filed shortly before Novak left her position with the county, was reportedly made just ahead of her acceptance of a buyout totaling approximately $80,000. While the county has not released the specific contents of the complaint, speculation has circulated that the allegations may relate to inappropriate conduct, including rumors of sexual harassment. These rumors have not been confirmed, and no formal charges have been made public. However, the complaint has been deemed serious enough by the Board of Commissioners to warrant a full hearing and legal review.
Although these sessions are normally closed to the public to protect the confidentiality of personnel matters, the county did post portion of the meeting via YouTube. The meeting involved reviewing a complaint against a public official who had requested an open hearing, as well as a discussion of the investigation and resulting actions. Commissioner Ron Smith was named as the subject of the session in the official agenda released by the board.
The timing of the complaint, filed near Novak’s exit from county employment, has raised questions among political observers and members of the public. Some are questioning why the complaint was not brought forward earlier, particularly if the alleged incidents took place months before her departure. Others have pointed to the fact that this marks the second time Novak has filed a formal complaint against a sitting commissioner. The back-to-back nature of the cases has led to speculation that broader political dynamics may be influencing the complaint process.
Commissioner Smith, elected relatively recently, has been viewed by some as an independent voice on the board—potentially less aligned with the current leadership’s direction. This has led some to question whether the timing of the complaint and the hearing could be politically motivated, intended to create instability or pave the way for new appointments. Although there is no concrete evidence to suggest a coordinated effort, the pattern of events has left many residents suspicious of the underlying motivations.
In addition to the complaints involving DeYoung and Smith, there has been a notable uptick in legal and personnel issues emerging from Josephine County government over the past year. A growing number of former employees have filed claims or lawsuits against the county, citing a range of grievances from hostile work environments to contract disputes and administrative mismanagement. The increasing volume of these cases has prompted broader concerns about the internal culture of the county’s administration and how personnel matters are being handled.
For now, the public is left to watch and wait as yet another high-profile personnel issue unfolds within county government. With leadership stability, public trust, and taxpayer funds potentially on the line, the stakes are high—not just for the individuals involved, but for the reputation and future governance of Josephine County.
As concerns about transparency and accountability continue to mount, the need for clear and honest communication from county officials has never been more critical. Whether this complaint leads to formal action or simply becomes another entry in the growing list of unresolved internal disputes remains to be seen. However, the sustained public scrutiny indicates that residents are watching more closely than ever—especially following the vote on the item to “Execute that Memorandum,” which passed without explanation. Commissioner Ron Smith’s decision to abstain from that vote raises further questions about transparency and integrity. It also opens the door to speculation that Smith’s actions—or inactions—may pave the way for his own political downfall and the reappointment of yet another “crony.” Perhaps that was the plan all along.
