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FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025

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Treasurer Mark DeYoung Under Fire for Alleged Incompetence, Mismanagement, and Lack of Transparency By: John Oliver Josephine County may be facing a growing financial and ethical storm tied directly to its elected Treasurer, Mark DeYoung. Numerous internal sources and county whistleblowers are sounding the alarm, alleging that DeYoung is fundamentally incapable of performing the duties he was elected to fulfill—and the consequences are now becoming dangerously clear. According to documents and statements circulating among concerned employees, the situation is far more serious than just bureaucratic hiccups. Reports indicate that DeYoung has allegedly failed to carry out even the core responsibilities of the Treasurer’s Office. Despite drawing a full taxpayer-funded salary, he has reportedly handed off virtually all job functions to the Chief Deputy Treasurer, appointed quietly and without public transparency. Many within the courthouse, and now the wider community, are beginning to ask a fundamental question: If Mark DeYoung isn't doing the job, why is he still in office? Several county employees have come forward, some speaking under condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, claiming DeYoung openly admitted he was unqualified for the position. His candidacy, according to these sources, was orchestrated by former county Human Resources Director Sandy Novak and members of the Josephine County Republican Central Committee. The plan allegedly involved discrediting the former Treasurer and manipulating public perception to ensure DeYoung’s victory. One of the more alarm-

ing accusations is that DeYoung took part in an unauthorized audit targeting former County Treasurer, Eve Arce, a move that may have skirted legal and ethical lines in an effort to politically eliminate competition. Since taking office, DeYoung’s tenure has been marked by ongoing operational dysfunction, financial errors, and significant gaps in oversight. Reports suggest critical financial filings have been missed, investments have either been made improperly or not made at all, and money has been lost due to mismanagement and inaction. These aren’t clerical issues—they’re systemic failures that directly impact the county’s ability to function and its financial future. The bulk of DeYoung’s responsibilities have reportedly been delegated to a newly hired Chief Deputy Treasurer. While the deputy has allegedly stepped up to maintain continuity and avoid a full-blown collapse of financial operations, this transfer of authority was never formally disclosed to the public or approved through a transparent process. The result? Taxpayers have been kept in the dark while the elected Treasurer collects a paycheck without doing the work. Adding to the concern is the rumor that DeYoung has failed to secure a surety bond—a statutory requirement under Oregon law for public treasurers. If true, this means DeYoung is serving without the legal financial protections required to handle public money, further exposing the county to risk and potential liability. Operating without a bond is not only unethical—it could be illegal and

grounds for removal. All of this is unfolding amid a countywide 12% general fund budget cut, adopted recently by the Budget Committee. Public employees, including union-represented staff who have reliably served the county for years, now fear for their jobs. While these workers face the threat of layoffs, the Treasurer continues to collect a full salary despite reportedly offloading all meaningful work. County insiders are calling this a gross misuse of public funds and a severe breach of public trust. At a time when fiscal responsibility is more critical than ever, allowing an unqualified and allegedly inactive elected official to remain in power with no corrective action is seen by many as a moral failure of oversight. Despite mounting concerns, the issue ap-

pears to be stuck in bureaucratic limbo. County Commissioners and Legal Counsel Wally Hicks have been made aware of the allegations and complaints, yet no action has been taken. There has been no formal acknowledgment, no investigation launched, and certainly no transparency afforded to the public. The silence is deafening— and for many, deeply frustrating. Whistleblowers and concerned staff believe this is no longer a personnel issue but a fullblown governance crisis. The failure to act is being interpreted as complicity or, at minimum, willful negligence. On behalf of Josephine County employees and taxpayers, a growing chorus is demanding action. The message is simple: Either Mark DeYoung steps up and begins performing the job he was elected to do, or he should resign. If neither happens, county employees and citizens alike are now openly discussing recall procedures. What began as whispered concerns behind courthouse walls has now escalated into a countywide scandal. The stakes are high—not just for Mark DeYoung’s political future, but for the financial stability of Josephine County itself. With each passing day, without transparency or action, the damage only deepens. The residents of Josephine County deserve leadership that is both competent and accountable. As the Treasurer’s office spirals under mismanagement and secrecy, the county edges closer to a tipping point. The time for excuses has long passed. It’s time for answers.

Wildfire or Windfall?

Senate Bill 1177 Could Redirect Oregon’s Kicker Refund to Fire Mitigation—And Southern Oregon Will Feel It First By E. Ward Oregonians have long counted on the "kicker" tax rebate as a unique return on their personal income taxes—an unusual policy that sends surplus state revenues back to taxpayers when revenue exceeds projections by more than 2%. But a new proposal moving through the Oregon Legislature could fundamentally reshape that dynamic. And for Southern Oregon, where fire season has become less of a season and more of a year-round crisis, the shift could mean more firefighting power—and less cash in pocket. Senate Bill 1177, introduced in the 2025 legislative session by Senator Jeff Golden of Ashland, aims to reroute a significant portion of the expected kicker rebate to a new Oregon Wildfire Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. In essence, it would take money traditionally returned to taxpayers and instead invest it in fire prevention, suppression, forest management, and community resiliency efforts. With wildfires increasingly threatening the Rogue Valley, the Applegate, and surrounding areas, the move has drawn both praise and pushback.

The bill would revise the official general fund revenue estimate for the 2023–2025 budget cycle. Any funds collected beyond that newly adjusted threshold—usually earmarked for taxpayer refunds—would instead go to wildfire programs. Only if the surplus exceeds the needs of that wildfire fund would remaining money be distributed as partial kicker refunds. That’s a marked departure from past practice and would require a two-thirds supermajority vote in the Legislature to become law. Proponents argue that the bill addresses one of the most urgent and costly threats facing Oregon: catastrophic wildfire. With fire seasons growing longer and more destructive, Southern Oregon communities like Talent, Phoenix, and Cave Junction have borne the brunt of devastation in recent years. Supporters say that investing in mitigation now could save lives, property, and millions in future emergency response spending. Senator Golden has emphasized that the change is not permanent. It would apply to this particular kicker cycle and direct roughly 60% of the expected surplus—estimated at $1.64

billion—toward fire resilience projects. The remaining 40% would still go back to taxpayers, with an income cap ensuring lower- and middle-income residents benefit most. Under the plan, individuals making under $95,000 and households under $190,000 would receive a rebate, while higher earners would see their kicker repurposed entirely. For residents of Southern Oregon, this proposal comes with mixed feelings. On one hand, it’s hard to overstate the impact wildfires have had in the region. Entire communities have been leveled, insurance costs are climbing, and the stress of evacuations and hazardous smoke has become an annual ordeal. Redirecting funds toward proactive fire reduction—controlled burns, thinning, defensi-

ble space programs, and emergency response upgrades—could directly benefit local households in ways more lasting than a one-time refund. On the other hand, the kicker has become something of a psychological cushion for Oregon taxpayers, especially those living

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see BILL, page 3