2025-13-Minutes for Meeting December 02,2024 Recorded 1/10/2025'�v'TES COG��
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541) 388-6570
1:00 PM
Recorded in Deschutes County OJ2025-13
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' Journal 01 /10/2025 1:48:39 PM
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2025-13
BOCC MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY December 2, 2024
Allen Room
Live Streamed Video
Present were Commissioners Patti Adair, Anthony DeBone and Phil Chang. Also present were
Deputy County Administrator Whitney Hale; Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp; Senior Assistant
Legal Counsel Kim Riley; and BOCC Executive Assistant Brenda Fritsvold.
This meeting was audio and video recorded and can be accessed at the Deschutes County
Meeting Portal webpage www.deschutes.org/meetings.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Adair called the meeting to order at 1:01 pm.
CITIZEN INPUT: None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Oregon State Fire Marshal Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant
Kevin Moriarty, County Forester, sought authorization to accept grant funds for
the removal of ladder fuels and small trees on approximately 50 acres located in
the Juniper Ridge area on property owned by the City of Bend. The purpose of
this work is to establish a 3.5 mile, 200-foot-wide shaded fuel break to help
protect against wildfires.
Moriarty said although the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) rejected the original
application for this work, it allowed the County to submit a revised application
which was subsequently approved, with $75,000 being awarded.
BOCC MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2024 PAGE 1 OF 5
In response to Commissioner Chang, Moriarty said the original proposal was not
accepted because it risked displacing homeless encampments. Moriarty added
that the project is intended to reduce the risk of fires for encampments and
surrounding residential areas such asJD Estates.
Commissioner Adair asked if the project will preserve bitterbrush, which is a food
source for mule deer. Moriarty said the work will aim to reduce all vegetation in
the defined fuel break area, but the bitterbrush will not be completely eradicated.
He presumed this area contains sufficient bitterbrush for wildlife.
Responding to Commissioner Chang, Moriarty said the grant does not allow
removing any tree over eight inches in diameter, but larger junipers which
remain will be limbed to reduce available fire fuels.
DEBONE: Move approval to accept $75,000 in grant funding from the Oregon
Department of the State Fire Marshal for Community Wildfire Risk
Reduction efforts, and authorize the County Administrator to sign
Document No. 2024-902 accepting the grant
CHANG: Second
VOTE: CHANG: Yes
DEBONE: Yes
ADAIR: Chair votes yes. Motion Carried
Commissioner Adair stated her interest in learning more about the eight -inch
rule.
Commissioner Chang knew of no prohibition on removing the larger junipers in
this area, although it appears that cannot be done with these grant funds.
2. FY 2026 Preliminary General Fund Budget Discussion
Cam Sparks, Budget & Financial Planning Manager, said because the General
Fund is structurally imbalanced with the result that a budget deficit is anticipated
by 2027, Finance and Admin have proposed limiting departmental expenditure
growth to 3.3% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 in addition to other strategies for focused
savings in the interest of assuring sustainability.
Sparks sought direction from the Board on six specific proposals which together
would generate approximately $967,000 in annual savings, as follows:
BOCC MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2024 PAGE 2 OF 5
Shift two Behavioral Health positions from the General Fund to Behavioral
Health's budget and use this department's reserve if needed to cover costs
(approximately $334,000 annually).
Commissioner Chang expressed concern that these two positions provide
crisis level services, saying the County must demonstrate a commitment to
allocate General Fund revenues to such services, especially when seeking
funding from the State or other sources for the Stabilization Center.
Noting that Behavioral Health has a large reserve, Commissioner Adair said if
it is possible to fund these positions with Behavioral Health dollars, that
should be done.
Commissioner DeBone supported this proposal at this time.
2. Remove the $100,000 General Fund transfer to the Community Development
Department for Hearings Officer services, with CDD absorbing this cost and
incorporating it into existing fees.
A majority of the Commissioners supported this proposal.
3. As was done in 2024, again utilize some Video Lottery funds in support of core
County services. Specifically, pay $480,000 of debt service for a) the jail
expansion project ($260,000/year) and b) the Jamison Property
($220,000/year) from video lottery funds.
Commissioner Chang said while this proposal makes sense, the County may
receive other requests for Video Lottery Funds, including from Environmental
Health.
Commissioner DeBone wanted to defend video lottery funds for economic
development.
In response to Commissioner DeBone, Deputy County Administrator Whitney
Hale said the Jamison property will be paid off in 2028.
A majority of the Commissioners supported this proposal.
4. Move the $12,500/year Eastern Oregon County (EOCA) membership to the
BOCC budget.
A majority of the Commissioners supported this proposal.
BOCC MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2024 PAGE 3 OF 5
Commissioner Chang stated his preference to not continue this membership.
5. Reduce or eliminate the annual $120,000 transfer from the General Fund to
the Assessor/Clerk/Tax Reserve Fund, the purpose of which is to save funds
for the eventual replacement of the County's assessment and taxation
software. The reserve fund has a current balance of $2 million.
In response to questions, Chief Financial Officer Robert Tintle said a new
software system could cost between $5 million and $10 million.
A majority of the Commissioners supported transferring $60,000 annually
from the General Fund to this reserve fund. Commissioner Adair noted that
the County is earning interest on the $2 million in the reserve fund.
6. No external commitments of General Fund.
CHANG:
VOTE
OTHER ITEMS:
Move approval to accept the proposed changes to achieve savings in
the General Fund for FY 2026 as presented and continue the annual
transfer from the General Fund to the Assessor/Clerk/Tax Reserve
Fund at the reduced amount of $60,000/year
Second
CHANG:
Yes
DEBONE:
Yes
ADAIR:
Chair votes yes. Motion Carried
• Commissioner DeBone reported that COIC received a presentation from the
Citizen's Assembly regarding the project undertaken on youth homelessness.
He sought input in deciding an action item for Deschutes County.
The Commissioners accepted Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp's offer to
coordinate with the Citizen's Assembly to bring this matter before the Board.
Commissioner Chang said he will not be able to attend the Board's meeting this
Wednesday as he will be at an all -day meeting of the Oregon Transportation
Commission. He expressed disappointment regarding several important things on
the Board's meeting agenda which he will miss and spoke to three in particular:
1. He stated his support for offering curbside recycling as a subscription service for
rural residents; 2. He supported adding a wastewater specialist to keep up with
inspections and protect groundwater quality; and 3. With regard to the Rural
Housing Profile, he referred to a number of things he wanted to see included in this,
BOCC MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2024 PAGE 4 OF 5
said the growth of housing in Deschutes County is projected to be small, and said it
is not necessary to leave lands open for possible new destination resorts.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 1:52 pm, the Board entered executive session under ORS 192.660 (2) (e) Real Property
Negotiations.
At 2:42 pm, the executive session concluded and the public was invited to return to the
room. The Board then directed staff to proceed as discussed during the executive session.
ADJOURN:
Being no further items to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:43 pm.
Alk— 20?,6`
DATED this _ day of 2D24"for the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners.
PATTI ADAIR, CHAIR
ATTEST:
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RECORDING SECRETARY
ANTHONY DEBONE, VICE CHAIR
PHIL CHANG, CAAMISSIONER
BOCC MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2024 PAGE 5 OF 5
EScCBOARD OF
pG
COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
1:00 PM, MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024
Allen Room - Deschutes Services Building - 1300 NW Wall Street - Bend
(541) 388-6570 1 www.deschutes.or�
MEETING FORMAT: In accordance with Oregon state law, this meeting is open to the public and
can be accessed and attended in person or remotely, with the exception of any executive session.
Members of the public may view the meeting in real time via YouTube using this link:
http://bit.11y/3mminzy. To attend the meeting virtually via Zoom, see below.
Citizen Input: The public may comment on any topic that is not on the current agenda.
Alternatively, comments may be submitted on any topic at any time by emailing
citizeninput@deschutes.org or leaving a voice message at 541-385-1734.
When in -person comment from the public is allowed at the meeting, public comment will also be
allowed via computer, phone or other virtual means.
Zoom Meeting Information: This meeting may be accessed via Zoom using a phone or computer.
• To join the meeting via Zoom from a computer, use this link: http://bit.ly/3h3oadD.
• To join by phone, call 253-215-8782 and enter webinar ID # 899 4635 9970 followed by the
passcode 013510.
• If joining by a browser, use the raise hand icon to indicate you would like to provide public
comment, if and when allowed. If using a phone, press *9 to indicate you would like to speak and
*6 to unmute yourself when you are called on.
• When it is your turn to provide testimony, you will be promoted from an attendee to a panelist.
You may experience a brief pause as your meeting status changes. Once you have joined as a
panelist, you will be able to turn on your camera, if you would like to.
Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all
programs and activities. This event/location is accessible to people with disabilities.
• J If you need accommodations to make participation possible, call (541) 388-6572 or
WAO email brenda.fritsvold@deschutes.org.
Time estimates: The times listed on agenda items are estimates only. Generally, items will be heard in
sequential order and items, including public hearings, may be heard before or after their listed times.
CALL TO ORDER
CITIZEN INPUT: Citizen Input may be provided as comment on any topic that is not on the
agenda.
Note: In addition to the option of providing in -person comments at the meeting, citizen input comments
may be emailed to citizeninput@deschutes.org or you may leave a brief voicemail at 541.385.1734..
AGENDA ITEMS
Oregon State Fire Marshal Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant
2. FY 2026 Preliminary General Fund Budget Discussion
OTHER ITEMS
These can be any items not included on the agenda that the Commissioners wish to discuss as part of
the meeting, pursuant to ORS 192.640.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At any time during the meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to ORS
192.660(2)(e), real property negotiations, ORS 192.660(2)(h), litigation; ORS 192.660(2)(d), labor
negotiations, ORS 192.660(2)(b), personnel issues, or other executive session categories.
Executive sessions are closed to the public, however, with few exceptions and under specific guidelines,
are open to the media.
3. Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2) (e) Real Property Negotiations
ADJOURN
December 2, 2024 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING Page 2 of 2
MEETING DATE:
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
December 2, 2024
SUBJECT: FY 2026 Preliminary General Fund Budget Discussion
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Direct staff to prepare the County's FY 2026 budget with items 1-6 as presented, or with
modifications, to contribute to the future financial sustainability in the General Fund.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
The General Fund is facing a structural imbalance, and long-term projections indicate a
potential budget shortfall as early as Fiscal Year 2027, unless corrective action is taken. In
response, Finance and Administration are implementing a series of strategies for the
County's FY 2026 budget aimed at achieving long-term sustainability through targeted
savings and controlled growth within the General Fund.
Finance staff have developed modeling scenarios that incorporate a 3.3% growth in
General Fund departmental expenditures in FY 2026 (4.0% in FY27 and 5.0% thereafter),
along with several strategic modifications and realignments identified to benefit the
General Fund. These measures, outlined below, will generate approximately $967,000 in
annual savings. Together, these two strategies will help achieve structural balance and
financial sustainability within the General Fund for the next nine years.
Staff seeks Board direction on the following proposed adjustments for recurring
expenditures in the County's General Fund. The Board's direction on these items will help
staff to prepare the FY 2026 budget. If the proposed adjustments are not approved as
presented, staff will need to adjust the target growth rate for departmental expenditures or
identify other savings in order to ensure financial sustainability.
1. Shift two Behavioral Health positions from the General Fund to Behavioral Health's
budget and use BH reserve if needed to cover costs, which are approximately
$334,000 annually.
2. Remove CDD Transfer for Hearings Officer - $100,000 per year. This cost will be
absorbed and incorporated into existing fees. CDD staff will provide fee modeling to
quantify the impact of this change.
3. In 2024, the Board allocated $500,000 of Video Lottery funds in support of core
County services. Staff proposes that this year, the Board maintain a similar
allocation of funds to support core county services. This would be achieved by
moving $480,000 of debt service from the General Fund to Video Lottery.
• Jail Expansion Debt Service of $260,000 per year (Matures in 2038) and
Jamison Property (P&P) of $220,000 per year (Matures in 2028).
4. Move $12,500/year Eastern Oregon County Membership to BOCC budget.
5. Reduce transfer to Assessor/Clerk/Tax Reserve Fund. This reserve fund is
designated for the eventual replacement of the County's Assessment and Taxation
software. Currently, the fund has a balance of $2 million, and while a portion of the
replacement will need to be debt -financed, this strategy will free up these funds in
the short term for General Fund operations.
o Option 1: Reduce from $120,000 to $80,000 in FY26; $40,000 in FY 27 and
eliminate the transfer in FY28 and beyond.
o Option 2: Eliminate $120,000 transfer beginning in FY26, which could partially
offset another item.
6. No external commitments of General Fund.
Alternatively, Transient Room Tax (TRT) funds could be used for items 2 and 3 if proposed
approach wasn't approved; however, this would reduce the amount the TRT fund could
contribute to the Capital Reserve Fund. Additionally, approval for other strategic
reallocations related to the TRT fund will be forthcoming at a later date.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
Approval of these proposed adjustments will generate $967,000 in annual savings and help
the County achieve structural balance and long-term financial sustainability within the
General Fund.
ATTENDANCE:
Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
Cam Sparks, Budget & Financial Planning Manager
Whitney Hale, Deputy County Administrator