Medford, OR – An attempt by the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to conduct their first performance evaluation of Administrator Tim Johnson in more than two years ended in confusion and frustration on December 6. Johnson, hired in April 2022 as the county’s first-ever administrator, did not attend the meeting, leaving the session adjourned and the evaluation unresolved.
The evaluation, which had been scheduled for a closed-door executive session, was intended to assess Johnson’s performance since his appointment. However, the session quickly became complicated when it was revealed that Johnson had left the office earlier in the week and was not available for the meeting. County counsel Kristin Yuille advised the board that they could not proceed without Johnson’s presence, leading commissioners to agree to adjourn and attempt to reschedule the evaluation.
“This is something that needs to be resolved,” said Commissioner Claire Hall, who expressed frustration with the lack of progress on the issue. “It’s to the point where we need to have a face-to-face evaluation to determine the way forward.”
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for December 18, and commissioners are expected to attempt another evaluation at that time. However, the unresolved nature of the situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the county’s leadership structure and whether ongoing tensions between Johnson and some commissioners could be hindering progress.
Johnson’s tenure as county administrator has been marked by a lack of clarity surrounding his role and responsibilities. Although he was hired after a 10-month search to replace former County Counsel Wayne Belmont—who had served in an informal administrative capacity for years—the commissioners and Johnson never formalized the terms of his employment with a written contract. As a result, key details such as his salary, performance expectations, and procedures for termination remain undefined, leaving both Johnson and the board in a difficult position.
In the absence of a formal employment agreement, Johnson has not undergone a performance review since he started his role in April 2022. This lack of evaluation is unusual for municipal governments, where regular reviews are standard practice for administrators and other high-level employees. The December 6 session was meant to remedy this, but the failure to hold the evaluation has only added to the uncertainty surrounding Johnson’s future with the county.
Tensions between Johnson and some commissioners have been building for months. At a meeting in September, Commission Chair Casey Miller referred to the evaluation process as “confusing” and indicated that Johnson might decide not to participate in it. Miller also suggested that, should Johnson choose to forgo the evaluation, the county may need to discuss an “exit strategy and succession plan” for the administrator.
The comments from Miller came shortly before he was the subject of a harassment and bullying complaint filed by an unnamed individual. The complaint led to Miller being advised by the county’s human resources director to refrain from coming into the office, except for leading commission meetings. Since then, Miller has been working remotely, and the county hired an outside firm to investigate the matter.
It remains unclear whether the complaint has had any direct impact on the ongoing tensions between Johnson and the commissioners, but it has added another layer of complexity to the board’s already strained dynamics.
Before his appointment in Lincoln County, Johnson had an extensive background in economic development. He served as the Economic Development Officer for the city of Federal Way, Washington, from 2014 until his move to Lincoln County, and has held previous roles in Sacramento, California, and San Diego. His experience in local government was a major factor in his hiring, but the lack of a clear contract and consistent communication has complicated his ability to navigate the challenges of his new role.
With an evaluation still pending and the future of his employment unclear, Johnson’s tenure as administrator hangs in the balance. The commissioners, meanwhile, are facing increasing pressure to resolve the situation before it escalates further.
As the December 18 meeting approaches, all eyes will be on the commissioners to see whether they can finally conduct the long-overdue evaluation and address the growing tensions that have been simmering for months. The outcome could have significant implications for both Johnson’s future and the stability of the county government.