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Governance & Accountability

Federal Civil Rights Case Moves Toward Final Resolution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWPORT, Ore. — October 8, 2026 — The federal civil-rights case involving Lincoln County Commissioner Casey Miller and Lincoln County has reached settlement following an earlier federal court preliminary injunction requiring restoration of Miller’s regular rights and prerogatives as a county commissioner.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken previously ordered that Miller be restored to the ordinary access, communications, meetings and other functions of office enjoyed by a Lincoln County commissioner.

The parties have now executed a settlement agreement intended to make those protections permanent.

On October 7, the parties filed Document 43, a Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, with the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

The stipulated filing provides that Miller is to be returned to:

“the enjoyment of the regular rights and prerogatives of his office as a Lincoln County Commissioner immediately, including access to a physical office in the customary location and physical access to the customary building(s), as well as meetings or communications to which the holder of his office would be regularly invited or included, commensurate with the practice prior to September 18, 2024, and identical to the rights and prerogatives of any other Lincoln County Commissioner, for the length of Plaintiff’s term as a Lincoln County Commissioner.”

The stipulated order also provides that the federal court would retain jurisdiction for purposes of construction, modification and enforcement of the permanent injunction.

Under the executed settlement agreement, CIS Trust agreed to pay $64,000 in attorney fees to Miller’s attorneys. The agreement provides for dismissal of the federal lawsuit with prejudice following receipt of that payment.

The settlement resolves disputed claims and expressly does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or liability by any party.

Miller said his focus now is on moving forward constructively and strengthening the systems that govern how Lincoln County makes decisions.

“I pursued this case so I could do the job I was elected to do. The most important question now is what we learn from it.”

“Good government requires clear authority, transparent procedures, equal access to the tools of public office, and dependable ways to resolve disagreements without turning them into personal conflicts.”

“The court result establishes the boundary. The governance work is what we do with it.”

Miller said the experience has highlighted the need to examine whether County policies clearly identify who has authority, how elected officials obtain information and administrative support, how agenda and operational disputes are resolved, and how future disagreements can be addressed before they become institutional crises.

“I have spent considerable time examining my own decisions and conduct during this experience. I believe healthy public institutions should be willing to examine themselves as well. Accountability should apply to individuals and institutions alike.”

“The purpose of learning from what happened is not retaliation or humiliation. It is prevention. We should have clear authority, fair processes, reliable information and workable ways to resolve disagreements before they reach this point.”

Miller said he is also reviewing the historical County record concerning how the commissioner’s office functioned before September 18, 2024, because the stipulated permanent-injunction language expressly uses that earlier practice as part of the standard for restoring the rights and prerogatives of the office.

“My goal now is to make sure the resolution works as intended, improve the systems that need improvement, restore trust where we can, and get back to the work the public elected us to do.”

“The lawsuit can end without the learning ending.”

CASE INFORMATION

Miller v. Lincoln County et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Case No. 6:26-cv-00499-AA

LEGAL / CASE INQUIRIES

Beth Creighton
Counsel for Casey Miller
Creighton & Rose, PC
[email protected]

STATEMENT / MEDIA INQUIRIES

Casey Miller
[email protected]
541-270-6796

Landers: Restoring Representation & Preserving Election Neutrality

For nearly six months, Lincoln County has operated with a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners following the passing of Commissioner Claire Hall in January 2026.

While two commissioners can legally conduct county business, the public deserves full representation and a fully functioning three-member Board. The purpose of filling a vacancy is not simply to occupy an empty seat. The purpose is to restore representation, strengthen governance, and ensure the county has the capacity necessary to address the issues facing our communities.

At the June 17 Board of Commissioners meeting, I will once again advocate for the appointment of Commissioner-elect Curtis Landers to fill the Position 2 vacancy through the end of the year.

How We Got Here

Since January, I have consistently advocated for a transparent and publicly understood appointment process. Review Miller’s attempts to create a framework early on.

On January 7, I submitted a memorandum requesting a public work session and staff report to review the commissioner appointment process before candidate selection began. I requested discussion of eligibility criteria, interview procedures, public participation opportunities, evaluation methods, timeline development, and workflow responsibilities.

Later in January, I submitted a proposed framework that included:

  • Public review of the appointment process
  • Development of interview questions in public meetings
  • Community feedback opportunities
  • Public deliberation regarding finalists
  • Public interviews
  • Formal appointment deliberations
  • Commissioner onboarding discussions

My goal was simple: establish the process publicly before selecting a candidate.

Unfortunately, many of these process discussions never occurred in the manner I had hoped. The vacancy remained unresolved through the spring.

As the process continued, I publicly stated that if the vacancy remained unresolved after the May Primary Election, I would consider the election results as part of my appointment decision.

That is where we find ourselves today.

Changed Circumstances

The circumstances today are different than they were in February, March, or April.

We now know who the Commissioner-elect is.

Curtis Landers won Position 3 outright and will take office in January 2027. Position 3 will not appear on the November ballot.

At the same time, Position 2 remains an active election between Cristen Don and Joe Steere.

These facts matter.

I do not believe the Board should provide either November candidate with the advantages that can accompany incumbency before voters make their final decision. Appointing either candidate would place the Board in the position of influencing an ongoing election.

Commissioner-elect Landers allows us to restore full representation while avoiding that concern.

Why Landers

Landers is uniquely positioned to contribute immediately.

During 37 years of service to Lincoln County, he served as Patrol Deputy, Administrative Lieutenant, Emergency Management leader, and ultimately Lincoln County Sheriff.

Few individuals possess such extensive experience as both a county employee and elected official. He understands county government from multiple perspectives and has firsthand experience managing personnel, budgets, emergency preparedness, public safety operations, and intergovernmental relationships.

Because of his experience, Landers requires very little onboarding and can begin contributing immediately. Rather than spending months learning county operations, he is prepared to address county issues from day one.

Those issues are substantial.

Lincoln County continues to face important work involving housing, budgeting, workforce development, organizational management, economic development, public safety, natural resources, health care, and long-term strategic planning. These are not future challenges. They are current responsibilities that deserve the attention of a full Board.

What I Am Hearing From The Community

Following recent media coverage, many residents have expressed a concern that resonates with me:

The public deserves a full three-member Board, but the Board should avoid giving either November candidate the advantage of incumbency.

Whether residents support or oppose my recommendation, many recognize that the vacancy should be resolved in a manner that restores representation while preserving public confidence in the ongoing election.

READ (6.4.25) – Lincoln Chronicle – Two Lincoln County commissioners again stalemate over how or who to appoint to fill vacancy

I believe appointing Commissioner-elect Landers accomplishes both objectives.

Looking Forward

This appointment is about more than one individual. It is about restoring full representation. It is about ensuring county government has the capacity to address important community priorities. It is about maintaining neutrality in an active election.

And it is about moving Lincoln County forward after nearly six months of operating with a vacant seat.

I also continue to believe Lincoln County should work toward restoring full-service meetings, meaningful public participation, in-person meeting opportunities, and broad public access to local government. Public trust is strengthened when government remains accessible, transparent, and responsive to the people it serves.

After reviewing the election results, the remaining term, the need for full representation, and the importance of election neutrality, I believe appointing Commissioner-elect Curtis Landers is the most practical, fair, and effective path forward for Lincoln County.

The county has work to do. Six months is long enough. It is time to restore full representation..

* Details regarding county commissioner meetings, agendas, videos and minutes can be found online. At the County’s – Agenda and Minutes Portal:
https://lincolncoor.portal.civicclerk.com/

* Miller is trying to resolve the current uncertainty about how to provide agenda topic only – virtual public comment. In absence of clear online details – Miller encourages the community to provide written public comments in absence of these links on the county’s website.
https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/559/Attending-a-Meeting

Conflict Resolution = Openness & Accountability

I spent many years serving Lincoln County as a Public Information Officer before becoming a commissioner. One of the greatest joys of that work was helping people — providing information, solving problems, and helping our community navigate government more effectively.

When we show up from an authentic space – we strengthen trust itself. People sense when someone is really listening and really trying to help.

One of the reasons I decided to run for county commissioner in 2022 was that I believed we could expand trust inside the organization and outward to the community.  When I first took office, I spent much of my time listening and observing. What is secret sauce of relationships and ultimately our democratic ideals?

I began to recognize deeper organizational challenges. While many talented people work within county government, we had yet to develop a unified internal vision connecting departments, leadership, and public service goals.

Before my exile our internal teams were beginning to explore how we could improve our level of service to each other. There was hope and I felt optimistic despite the ongoing revelations of just how challenging change culture can be.

Healthy organizations — especially public institutions — need psychological safety. People should be able to ask questions, raise concerns, contribute ideas, and participate meaningfully without fear of exclusion or retaliation. That principle applies everywhere: families, workplaces, community organizations, and government alike.

[LEARN – Use mediation skills to help resolve conflicts in workplace, court, business, or community-related disputes.].

People often ask me how I continue after 17 months of conflict, exclusion, and uncertainty.

The truth is: it has been difficult.

But this experience has also reinforced something important to me — democracy is tested less when times are good. We are all deeply tested when disagreement becomes uncomfortable. When we lose our resilience to remain open and collaborative things can spiral quickly.  

I did not run for office because I believed governing would always feel good or because public service would always be affirming. I ran because I believe collaboration works best when:

  • questions can be asked openly,
  • processes are transparent,
  • people are treated respectfully,
  • staff, elected officials and the public can continue to engage

What keeps me going are the people who say, “Please keep asking questions.” At the same time, I really appreciate those who recognize that we are all neighbors, coworkers, and possibly friends. May we let curiosity be stronger than fear, strive to stay calm under pressure and use transparency to build empathy and trust.  

[LEARN – Why Emotional Intelligence Is Important in Leadership]

CIS Conference 2026

County elected officials are responsible for an entire workforce — hundreds of public employees and volunteers delivering essential services to our communities every day.

Governance responsibility reaches deep into our organization. The commission must ensure the organization itself is healthy, lawful, and equipped to serve the public well through the work of our employees. That means understanding best practices in management, risk, emergency preparedness, and organizational leadership.

I attend conferences like those offered by Citycounty Insurance Services (CIS) because they provide practical guidance on how counties can better support their workforce and reduce risk.

A key takeaway is that strong personnel systems matter. Clear policies, consistent processes, and thorough documentation help ensure fairness, accountability, and protection for everyone involved.

As a commissioner, I’m not involved in day-to-day personnel decisions—but I am responsible for making sure the framework we operate within reflects best practices. That’s how we protect our employees, support our teams, and uphold public trust.

CIS represents more than 90% of Oregon’s cities and over 80% of counties. When leaders from across the state come together to share lessons learned and best practices, the information we bring home directly impacts how we support our workforce and serve our communities.

Key takeaways this year included:

• Strong documentation and clear communication support fairness, consistency, and strong supervisory relationships across an organization
• Effective emergency planning and coordinated response systems protect both employees and the public
• Volunteer management, training, and safety practices ensure community programs remain sustainable and protected
• Clear performance expectations and consistent standards help build a professional, respectful workplace culture

When we invest in professional development and shared learning, we strengthen workforce morale, improve performance, and ensure our organizations operate to high standards.

What I bring back from CIS isn’t theoretical — it’s practical guidance to help ensure our county organization remains resilient, well-managed, and focused on delivering quality public service for the people we serve.

Strong local government depends on aligning how we manage our workforce with how we manage our budget. Through my work with CIS (our statewide risk and insurance pool), it’s clear that human resources and finance are not separate functions—they operate as one system. Every personnel decision carries a financial impact, from recruitment and training to overtime, leave balances, and potential liability.

CIS best practices emphasize investing in prevention—like training, clear policies, and consistent documentation—because those investments reduce costly claims and workplace disruptions down the line.

As we move into budget planning, I am focused on ensuring that HR and Finance are working together to forecast workforce needs, identify risks early, and prioritize smart investments that protect both our employees and public resources

Listening Sessions on Local News & Civic Health

Community Invited to Participate in University of Oregon Listening Sessions on Local News & Civic Health

Lincoln County residents are invited to participate in upcoming community listening sessions hosted by the University of Oregon’s Agora Journalism Center as part of its study on how news and information circulate throughout Lincoln County.

Earlier this winter, more than 800 residents completed a countywide survey examining how people access, trust, and share local information — the largest participation the University has seen in similar community studies across Oregon. The next phase of the project invites residents to gather in person to reflect on early findings and discuss how local journalism and public communication impact civic health.

Two listening sessions will be held:
Newport Listening Session (link)
Saturday, February 28
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Atonement Lutheran Church

Lincoln City Listening Session (link)
Sunday, March 1
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lincoln City Cultural Center

The sessions are designed as facilitated conversations — not debates — where residents can share experiences, concerns, and ideas about how local information flows and how it can be strengthened moving forward.

County Commissioner Casey Miller encourages residents to attend and participate.

“Strong, accurate, and trusted local information is foundational to civic health,” said Commissioner Miller. “Whether information comes from media, social platforms, word of mouth, or government, our community benefits when it is clear, factual, and transparent.”

Miller also noted that the conversation around information health includes government communications. “At this time, Lincoln County does not have a uniform policy ensuring that major policy communications released under the name of the County have been reviewed and confirmed by the entire Board of Commissioners,”

Miller said. “For significant policy decisions, a simple public confirmation process — such as a clearly noticed agenda item confirming the Board’s collective position — could improve clarity and strengthen public trust.”

He emphasized that not all routine communications require this level of review, but that major policy decisions benefit from clear confirmation of the governing body’s shared stance.

The University of Oregon listening sessions provide an opportunity for residents to discuss these broader civic-information issues and help shape recommendations moving forward.

Residents are encouraged to attend one session at the location most convenient to them. For additional information and registration details, residents may visit the University of Oregon Agora Journalism Center website or Eventbrite listings for the sessions.

Update – 2.17.26 Commissioner Vacancy

Oregon Coast Breaking News has a summary that I believe captures the current situation. Please Read: Proposals on Vacancy, Agenda Policy Stall at Lincoln County Commission Meeting

Combined analysis of Direct Emails + Social Media Input

I asked you to provide your feedback and you did! Thank you! Here is a summary of your engagement as received by me. I cannot verify what county staff or my fellow commissioner have received from the community, (the candidates), or otherwise. I have asked that we all share and be transparent about total communications. Thus far, I believe I am the only one sharing information publicly.

Total feedback to date: ≈ 67 individuals:
• Direct email (official channels): ≈ 22
• Social media: ≈ 45 (duplicates removed)

Themes:
transparency • fairness • collaboration • forward movement:
Integrity
Professional competence
Temperament
Ability to collaborate
Knowledge of county systems
Community connection
Community is prioritizing:
functionality + stability + professionalism

Update – 2.12.26 BOC Special Meeting

Today the Board of Commissioners met in a special session to identify the final candidates who will move forward to interviews for the Commissioner vacancy.

Thank you to everyone who has shown patience throughout this process — and especially to the candidates who stepped forward to serve our community. Your willingness to engage in public service is deeply appreciated.

I also want to thank the many community members who have provided thoughtful feedback. Your voice matters in this appointment process.

The next meeting date is TBD (as of 2.12.26). Once it is scheduled, I will share that information publicly.

In the meantime, please take a look at the finalists and let us know your thoughts. This is an important decision for Lincoln County, and community input continues to be welcome.

Thank you for staying engaged.

— Commissioner Casey Miller

Update on Commissioner Vacancy – 2.9.26

All Media & Community –

Thanks for reaching out!

I want to be clear about my role in the commissioner vacancy process. I am actively reviewing all submitted applications, and no decisions or rankings have been made.

I will not participate in any process that involves commissioners submitting private rankings to staff or having selections compared behind the scenes. Oregon law requires deliberation toward a decision to occur in public, and I have consistently requested that Commissioner Chuck and I discuss our selections openly in a noticed public meeting.

My public record reflects multiple requests to schedule public meetings so the community can see how this decision is made. Since 2.4.26, no such meeting has yet been scheduled, but I remain hopeful that a lawful and transparent process will happen moving forward.

Any future discussion about candidate selection will occur publicly. I am evaluating applicants based on the statutory duties of a county commissioner, including budgeting, land use, personnel oversight, public meetings, and the ability to deliberate openly – among many other criteria.

I’m happy to talk through the process and answer questions. Please let me know if you have further questions.  

— Casey Miller
County Commissioner
2.9.26

Commissioner Vacancy 2026!

I’m genuinely excited about the new energy, ideas, and potential vision emerging around the filling the vacant County Commission seat!

Filling the commissioner vacancy is a community decision—one your current commissioners make on your behalf.

This is your county. Your voice matters.

When we listen carefully and gather community input, we can represent our decisions as a thoughtful, integrated whole. That takes intention—but it is possible.

I believe we can do this together!

Share your input:

📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]

Notice & Scheduling of BOC Meeting – 2.11.26

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)

  1. Commissioner Vacancy Appointment Process (Discussion/Possible Action)
    Discussion of the ongoing topics, process and timeline for filling the current Board vacancy.
  2. District Attorney Staffing Levels (Decision/Action)
    Discussion of current staffing levels in the District Attorney’s Office. DA Wallace, HR, Finance and others.
  3. 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