1
CP at 1679, 1681 (Schwabe report), 815 (disclosing that Howard and Keck
complained to Port counsel about Keller).
2
The Port manages the Richland Airport.
3
In re Recall of William O’Neil et al., No.105253-7
rate for the hangar he owns through his LLC below what the Commission approved.
Id. at 1684-89.
B. Suspension of Howard and termination of Myers
On January 7, 2026, a few weeks after Schwabe issued these findings, the
Commission changed the Port’s reporting and management structure in a way that
significantly limited the executive director’s role.3, 4 The Commission also voted to
suspend Executive Director Howard. Id. at 791. On February 2, 2026, the
Commission also voted to terminate Myers, who served as the Port’s finance
director, auditor, and public records official. Id. at 945-46. The Commission blamed
her “unsatisfactory performance during the probationary period” for the termination.
Id.
C. Recall petitions
Benton County voters then filed petitions for the recall of the three Port
commissioners: Keller, O’Neil, and Stevens. The petitions alleged that the
3
Id. at 393-95 (showing line edits to Port policies), 396-409 (showing line edits to
the Commission’s delegation of authority to the executive director), 789-90 (adopting these
modifications).
4
By this time, the makeup of the Commission had changed. Former Commissioner
Roy Keck, who made a complaint against Keller, lost his seat to Commissioner William
O’Neil in the November election.
4
In re Recall of William O’Neil et al., No.105253-7
commissioners committed acts of misfeasance, malfeasance, and/or violated their
oaths of office. Id. at 217-19, 618-20, 1237-39.
The three petitions are substantively identical. Each one alleges 13 counts of