Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority

Public Transparency

Water district faces new questions of nepotism tied to current manager’s spouse, former manager’s alleged misuse of public funds

October 1, 2025

The Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority (OWWSA) is facing intensifying scrutiny after revelations involving both its former and current managers involving ethics and nepotism issues, and its former manager’s alleged misuse of district funds and other controversies that led to his quiet 2024 resignation.

Public Transparency

Water board targets press with new policy after illegal meeting reports, public records failures

August 19, 2025

Crook County, Ore. - The Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority (OWWSA) briefly placed a “media screening policy” on the agenda for its...

Public Transparency

Ochoco West water district continues with illegal meetings lacking timely notice; Missing public records deadlines

August 11, 2025

The Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority (OWWSA) is again poised to violate Oregon’s public meetings law, this time by giving just one day’s notice for its upcoming Aug 12th regular meeting — well below both statutory expectations and state guidance

Public Transparency

Ochoco West water board held illegal public meeting with only hours’ notice despite warnings; Attorney resigned before meeting

July 31, 2025

The board of the Ochoco West Water & Sanitary Authority (OWWSA) held an illegal special meeting Tuesday night, July 29th, after issuing just four hours’ notice to the public and media—far short of the 24-hour bare minimum required by Oregon law.