WCJC appoints Chief Jason Harvey as vice chair; recommends John Phillips IV for minority representative

The WCJC confirmed leadership and membership recommendations during a brief January meeting.

Chief Jason Harvey of Corvallis was nominated and, after a motion and second, confirmed by a voice vote as vice chair for 2026. The motion was introduced by an unidentified member and seconded; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously after several members voiced "aye." The chair thanked Harvey for his willingness to serve.

The council then recommended that County Commissioners appoint John Phillips IV to Position 22, described in the packet as the minority community representative. The chair said Position 22 has previously been filled by the NAACP president; Barry Jerkins resigned earlier in the year and Phillips, who has taken over as NAACP president and serves on the Albany Police Diversity Advisory and Alliance team, expressed interest. Councilor Smith moved the recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Marilyn praised Phillips’s character and commitment, saying she was "very impressed with his character, his commitment to the programs, and I think he's going to be someone who will be a valuable member of this group."

The chair said the executive committee will coordinate the formal recommendation to the county commissioners and asked members to submit additional suggestions for filling remaining vacancies.

The meeting covered these formal actions quickly and moved on to agenda planning for 2026.