UPTD Faces Renewed Turmoil After Year of Crisis Recovery
DOUGLAS COUNTY, OR — July 22, 2025 — Just months after the Umpqua Public Transportation District (UPTD) emerged from a financial and compliance crisis, the district is once again facing internal conflict, this time driven by new board members and a contested election result.
In late 2023, UPTD leadership identified a looming financial cliff. The full scope became clear in August 2024, when an audit confirmed that the agency was at risk of insolvency. Simultaneously, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) demanded repayment of funds for a $250,000 charging station purchase that it deemed procedurally improper—despite the purchase having occurred nearly a year prior in September 2023.
During this period, UPTD experienced a wave of resignations:
- Board Members: Five resigned between May and September 2024.
- Staff: The operations manager resigned in August; the CEO resigned in September; and the HR manager went on leave in September and formally resigned in January.
To stabilize the district, outgoing CEO Cheryl Cheas hired Ben Edtl as a consultant. He was later appointed interim CEO and eventually offered the permanent position in April 2025. Under his leadership, the district cleared all outstanding ODOT compliance violations and restored financial order within six months.
However, political tensions began to mount as former board member Natasha Atkinson, who had resigned after two months of appointment in October 2024 following Edtl’s interim hire, returned to run for the board on a campaign slate with three others. The group without permission from the District, used the UPTD logo in campaign materials—creating the appearance of official endorsement—and received early support from State Representative Virgle Osborne, who featured them on his podcast days before ballots were mailed.
During the podcast, false claims were made about UPTD’s compliance status, though ODOT later confirmed the agency was in full compliance. A correction was issued, but only after ballots had been submitted by many voters.
The May 2025 election brought additional controversy. Initial returns showed board member Todd Vaughn in the lead. But Douglas County Clerk Dan Loomis instituted an unusual eight-day blackout period with no result updates. When results resumed, Vaughn had lost. He has since contested the outcome and has been denied access to certain election records. In response, the board certified only uncontested races, delaying the swearing-in of candidates in disputed positions until legal matters are resolved.
At the July 2025 organizational meeting, newly elected directors Jeana Beam and Bill Hagadorn—both associated with the Osborne-backed slate—created confusion by attempting to bypass established procedure. Beam, elected Chair, interrupted the swearing-in process to make an improper motion. When challenged, she temporarily left the room. Hagadorn followed. Vice Chair Doug Mendenhall attempted to resume the meeting, but Beam returned and improperly declared it adjourned.
Before exiting, Hagadorn allegedly pointed to CEO Edtl and told him, “You will not be here long.” Public comments of this nature regarding personnel matters may violate ORS 192.660, which regulates how boards must handle employment-related discussions.
Observers have expressed concern that political disruption may now threaten the stability of a district that only recently recovered from the brink of collapse. The future of UPTD—its operations, leadership, and credibility—may hinge on whether the board can uphold its fiduciary and procedural duties in the months ahead.
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