July 3, 2026

Greetings!

This update covers two important issues before Lincoln County: a federal court ruling restoring regular commissioner access and County’s Budget Message for the upcoming fiscal year.

These may seem like separate topics, but they point to the same basic principle: county government works best when the public has full representation, clear information, lawful process, and careful financial oversight.

Also, come visit our County Fair & Rodeo today and tomorrow at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds!

Federal Court Restore Regular Commissioner Access

Commissioner Casey Miller at a Board of Commissioner's meeting

A federal judge has ordered Lincoln County to restore the regular rights and prerogatives of my elected office, including access to my courthouse office, regular meetings, and communications ordinarily available to a county commissioner.

The case is still ongoing, and the Court has not decided every issue. But this ruling provides important clarity for Lincoln County: when voters elect someone to represent them, that representative must be able to do the ordinary work of the office.

As I said after the ruling:

“My focus remains on transparency, lawful process, and ensuring the people of Lincoln County have full representation and a fully functioning county government.”

This case has always been about more than one commissioner. It is about the public’s right to effective representation and the ability of elected officials to ask questions, communicate, review information, and do the work voters elected them to do.

I remain committed to working constructively with my fellow elected officials, county employees, and community members to address the many important issues facing Lincoln County.

Celebrate Lincoln County at the Fair & Rodeo
July 2–4

Commissioner Casey Miller at the County booth at the Lincoln County Fair & Rodeo

The Lincoln County Fair & Rodeo is more than three days of fun — it is a celebration of community, local businesses, youth, agriculture, tourism, and the coastal character that makes Lincoln County special.

This year’s Fair includes live music, vendors, food trucks, open class exhibits, 4-H activities, OMSI, camel rides, and NPRA Pro Rodeo events. Community events like the Fair help bring people together while also supporting local restaurants, hotels, shops, vendors, and the broader visitor economy.

Come celebrate America’s 250th birthday with us at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Newport. Free admission! Visit the Lincoln County Fair website for the full schedule and event details. For directions, click here.

Budget Message:
Tight Conditions Require Careful Choices

First page of the Fiscal year 2026-27 Budget Message

Lincoln County’s Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2026–27 makes clear that financial conditions are tight.

The proposed budget for Lincoln County and its five special districts totals $213,583,435, a 3.0% increase from the current amended budget. But a larger total budget does not mean every dollar is flexible. The County budget is made up of many separate funds, many of which are restricted for specific purposes. The General Fund remains especially important because it supports elected officials, public safety, general government, and central services.

The Budget Message identifies several pressures:

Rising costs are outpacing revenue growth. Federal and state funding changes may affect local programs moving forward. Transient Room Taxes (which includes short-term rentals) have been trending downward. Property tax revenue is the County’s largest revenue source, but Lincoln County receives only 17.82 cents of every property tax dollar collected, with the rest going to schools, cities, fire districts, urban renewal, and other special districts.

The message also notes a need for stronger long-term financial planning. Lincoln County has operated without a County Administrator for more than a year, is active working on the Fiscal Year 2024-25 financial audit.

My takeaway is straightforward: when financial conditions are tight, the County has to be especially disciplined about priorities, process, and public trust.

That means protecting core services, including public safety, the District Attorney’s Office, roads, health services, elections, veterans services, and basic county operations residents rely on. It also means making sure the Board and the public have clear information before major decisions are made.

The mission is ongoing. Together, we work to keep Lincoln County financially sound while maintaining the services our communities depend on.

Thank you for staying engaged. Local government works best when residents pay attention, ask questions, and expect decisions to be made in the open. If something sparked a thought, feel free to hit reply, share it or contact me directly. If you found this newsletter helpful, please forward it to a friend. I hope to see you at the Fair.

Let’s Do More Good!

Your neighbor,