Milton-Freewater City Councilor Destiny Jensen conducted an informal survey among the city’s 66 full-time employees, revealing significant dissatisfaction regarding the management of city affairs. Concerns voiced through this survey have highlighted issues with City Manager Chad Morris, low employee morale, and deficiencies in the human resources department. While Jensen views the survey as a critical tool for improvement, opinions among city officials vary, with some questioning the survey’s validity.
Jensen initiated the survey in July after receiving numerous anonymous emails from employees expressing grievances. These complaints included issues related to Morris’ leadership style and unresponsiveness from the HR department. In light of the survey results, other council members have expressed skepticism, requesting legal counsel before making any public comments. City Attorney David Blanc stated he could not comment on the ongoing situation.
The survey, which Jensen conducted using city email addresses, was accessible as public information. The East Oregonian obtained the survey results and related communications through a public records request. Employees shared their views anonymously, detailing various grievances such as the city’s HR operations and management practices. Jensen reported that among the 29 responses received, notable concerns were raised about the leadership structure and the work environment.
Starting on February 14, Jensen began receiving anonymous emails detailing various issues within the city government, which prompted her to bring these concerns to her fellow council members. She noted a dismissive attitude from some colleagues regarding her worries.
Among the employee complaints, there were claims that “good” employees were considering leaving their positions, with some citing inadequate management and excessive oversight. Safety concerns were also raised regarding volatile work situations, particularly related to policies on concealed carry.
In May, Jensen proposed sending out a mandatory survey to all employees as a cost-effective measure to gauge staff sentiment. Kevin Toon, communications director for the League of Oregon Cities, remarked that this situation is unusual, as most cities typically gather employee feedback through formal assessments led by department heads or during the city manager’s evaluations.
Jensen’s survey included questions about employee satisfaction, respect, and leadership, but it lacked broader council input. City officials noted that the handwritten responses submitted in person complicated the verification of authenticity. It was also reported that approximately 13 staff members, including department heads, did not receive the survey.
During a city council work session on July 28, Mayor Mike Odman acknowledged Jensen’s actions in addressing worker complaints. The council generally agreed that gathering employee feedback prior to the city manager’s review would be beneficial, although there was insufficient time to conduct a thorough survey process.
After Jensen sent out her survey, she was informed by Odman that legal counsel had advised against it. Despite this, she continued with her plan, emphasizing the confidentiality of the responses. Following the survey, an employee criticized Jensen for allegedly disseminating “defamatory and discriminatory information” by naming specific individuals.
Some council members, including Council President Steve Irving and Councilor Emily Holden, have refrained from commenting publicly while awaiting legal advice on handling the anonymous complaints. Councilor John Lyon emphasized the need for unity among council members during this challenging period.
City Manager Chad Morris, who began his tenure 15 months ago, expressed his belief that the council had previously agreed to a collective approach for staff survey questions. He remarked that the methodology of Jensen’s survey did not align with industry standards. Morris acknowledged the existence of employee dissatisfaction but looked forward to resolving the ongoing issues.
As the situation continues to unfold, discussions at the council’s work session on August 25 included plans for a future staff survey, with Morris encouraging council members to submit their questions for consideration.
