Marion County commissioners deny administrative review application for Remington BESS appeal

SALEM, Ore. — The Marion County Board of Commissioners on March 18 denied an application for administrative review of the hearings officer’s decision in Administrative Review Case #25-015, related to a Remington BESS, LLC proposal.

Commissioner Kevin Cameron moved to close the public hearing and deny the application for administrative review; Commissioner Colm Willis seconded the motion. The motion carried with Cameron and Willis voting aye and Commissioner Danielle Bethell abstaining from the vote after she declared a conflict of interest.

Bethell told the board she had contacted the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and was following its advice; she said she would not participate in discussion or voting on the appeal unless the matter came down to a split decision. County counsel Steve Elzinga stated for the record that he "strongly disagrees with the analysis that was provided," but said it made sense for Bethell to follow the ethics advice for the meeting.

Brandon Reich and John Speckman were listed as presenters for the public works hearing. Four people signed up and provided public comment during the hearing; the transcript records their participation but does not identify them by name in the minutes.

Commissioner Willis closed the public hearing. The board adjourned at 11:08 a.m.