HEPPNER — Morrow County is investigating a whistleblower complaint against a county employee.

The Board of Commissioners Dec. 3 voted unanimously to ratify and approve an investigation into a written whistleblower complaint brought to board chair David Sykes by a county employee.

No details about the nature of the complaint or who the complaint was made against were provided during the board’s regular meeting Wednesday morning.

The investigation is required by Oregon law, Sykes said when he brought the issue to the board. He already had approved the investigation by outside legal counsel Innova Legal Advisors PC, per advice from the county’s insurance company and outside legal counsel.

“I just have to say, with every stop I made, the first thing I told them was, ‘I want to do what I’m required to do as an elected official in Morrow County. That’s my number one goal,’” said Sykes. “That guided every step of this.”

Although Innova’s investigation is almost complete, the investigation only had been approved by Sykes, not the board at large. According to the agenda item cover sheet, the board needed to “authorize funds for the investigation consistent with county procedures,” so having official approval addresses that concern.

Commissioner Jeff Wenholz moved to ratify the funds and approve the investigation; Commissioner Gus Peterson seconded the motion before the unanimous vote. Peterson said during the discussion that he hopes this never happens again, but the situation...

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