Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Board of Commissioners held their 2026 annual retreat focused on strategic priorities and budget planning. Key priorities discussed included housing insecurity, homelessness services, solid waste management including new landfill site selection, groundwater protection in Southern Deschutes County, and county commission expansion from three to five members. The board conducted a random drawing to assign district position numbers for the upcoming five-district map proposal, with District A (Sisters) assigned Position 5, District B (Bend) Position 1, District C (La Pine/Sunriver) Position 4, District D (Western Bend) Position 2, and District E (Redmond) Position 3.
Key Decisions (1)
District Position Number Assignment for Five-Commissioner Map
The board conducted a random drawing using a bingo cage to assign position numbers to the five proposed commissioner districts. District A (Sisters) received Position 5, District B (Bend) received Position 1, District C (La Pine/Sunriver) received Position 4, District D (Western Bend) received Position 2, and District E (Redmond) received Position 3. Positions 1, 3, 4, and 5 will be on the 2026 ballot, with positions 4 and 5 requiring re-election in 2028.
Development Activity (4)
Newberry Neighborhood Quadrant 2D Sale
A developer is interested in purchasing quadrant 2D of the Newberry neighborhood. If the sale is completed in approximately ten months, it would generate over $1 million for groundwater protection programs including septic system upgrade rebates and low-interest loans.
Courthouse Completion
The courthouse is projected to cost taxpayers $48 million total. Construction is expected to be completed later this year, with the DA's office gaining an additional floor for buildout.
Public Safety Campus - District 3
State legislature is providing bond funding available starting March 2026. The county is exploring public-private partnership options for the site, including a potential performance/pursuit track for law enforcement training that could also serve private use.
Managed Camp - Redmond
Outdoor shelter facility for homeless services expected to be operational within a few months.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
The county faces insufficient low-income and affordable housing, with American Rescue Plan investments of $8 million helping produce close to 300 units, but the county has run out of land to donate for projects in Bend and connected parts of Redmond.
Commercial Demand
Permit activity for new construction shows a 12% increase for the current tax year, with new subdivision filings projected at 26% increase over the next two years according to the County Assessor.
Infrastructure
The county's current landfill at Knott Landfill has a closing horizon of 2031, with the county evaluating two potential new landfill sites including the Horse Ridge site, with final site recommendation expected to come to the board in June or July 2026.
Sentiment
State legislators are planning for 5-20% budget cuts over the next two bienniums, with flat fiscal environment expected at the state level affecting county funding for public health, community corrections, and other services.
Housing Demand
Manufactured home parks are identified as important affordable housing in rural areas, with LC 94 from the governor's office potentially facilitating streamlined inclusion of lands into urban growth boundaries for manufactured housing development.