State ethics commission probes Ochoco West Water District board, prompted by Prineville Review report

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ)-- The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has opened a formal investigation into the Ochoco West Water District Board following complaints from Crook County homeowners and reporting by the Prineville Review.

According to a preliminary report, investigators found the board failed to give adequate public notice of its meetings and posted agendas with little detail. The report also states the board did not provide electronic access to meetings and repeatedly used incorrect statutory citations to convene executive sessions.

Ethics commission members, as reported by the Prineville Review, acknowledged the challenges small special districts can face in complying with public meeting laws. However, they ultimately voted unanimously to authorize a full investigation into the board’s practices.

A completed report is expected by this summer.

For more details on the complaints and the commission’s findings so far, you can read the Prineville Review’s full story