PAC demands transparency on rumored secret costly
promotion by Josephine County Commissioners
Leaders of the Political Action Committee Restore Josephine County (Restore Jo Co PAC) have received alarming rumor reports from credible sources within Josephine County regarding recent behind-closed-doors actions by the Board of County Commissioners. These rumors involve significant public funds and raise serious questions about transparency and compliance with local law.
Restore Jo Co PAC urgently calls on the Commissioners to confirm or deny these claims, which are of critical interest to local voters. Recent rumors told to our PAC leaders by multiple county insiders suggest that IT and Emergency Management Director Michael Sellers has been elevated to a newly created Chief of Staff position without a public Board decision, as mandated by law. “We demand immediate clarity on this matter,” said Chief Petitioner Jim Goodwin, who worked for Josephine County for 28 years until earlier this year. “We won’t rest until transparency is restored.”
Voters in Josephine County have consistently opposed hiring an expensive, unelected County Manager, especially when the three full-time Commissioners each receive salaries and benefits totaling more than $130,000 annually to oversee county operations. The rumored Chief of Staff role reportedly carries a salary of $170,000 or more, with a total compensation package nearing
$250,000 including taxes and benefits.
This echoes a similar attempt just four months ago, when Josephine County Board Chairman Andreas Blech attempted to promote Sellers to a high-level Director of Operations role with an estimated $388,000 annual compensation package, according to the County’s former Budget Officer. Amid widespread public backlash, Sellers voluntarily stepped back to his prior position as IT/Emergency Management Director. This is one of the recall petition points for Commissioner Andreas Blech.
Coming on the heels of unnecessary general fund budget cuts implemented by Commissioners just three months ago, these rumors demand answers. If true, why is this $250,000 position necessary? Why was it not decided publicly? And why appoint an individual with alleged political ties and limited relevant experience instead of conducting an open recruitment?
The public also deserves explanations for the recent wave of department head firings and staff departures. Voters prioritize more law enforcement out serving the public, not additional highly paid unelected administrators.
Restore Jo Co PACs under chief petitioner Jim Goodwin filed two recall petitions for Josephine County Commissioners Andreas Blech and Chris Barnett in August 2025 and are currently gathering recall petition signatures in order to bring these recall ballot measures to all voters of Josephine County. For more information, contact Chief Petitioner Jim Goodwin at
restorejoconow@gmail.com or (541) 450-9125. Also find Restore JoCo at
https://www.facebook.com/restorejoco or on the web at https://restorejoco.com/.
