2025-85-Minutes for Meeting March 14,2025 Recorded 4/3/2025Recorded in Deschutes County
Steve Dennison, County Clerk CJ2025-85
Cornmissioners'JOUrnal 04/03/2025 3:56:51 PM
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2025-85
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Deschutes County Clerk
Certificate Page
ZES
Friday, March 14, 2025, 8:00 am
This meeting will be held virtually.
Members of the public may access the meeting
using this link: https://bit.ly/3WDZYOx
Or call (253) 205-0468
Webinar ID: 879 4809 6174
Passcode:156736
1. Welcome -Chair
2. Commissioner Updates
3. Updates from NW Policy Advocates - Doug Riggs
4. Review Bill Tracker Report* by Department
'the Bill Tracker Report will be added to the online meeting materials on Thursday, March 93th
Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all programs and activities. This event/location is
accessible to people with disabilities. If you need accommodations to make participation possible, please call (541) 617-4747.
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1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541) 388-6571
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DESCHUTES COUNTY
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2025
ZOOM MEETING
A legislative work session was held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. via Zoom Virtual
Meeting Platform.
Deschutes County Attendance:
x
Commissioner Anthony DeBone, Chair
x
Nick Lelack, County Administrator
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Commissioner Patti Adair, Vice Chair
x
Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator
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Commissioner Phil Chang
x
Whitney Hale, Deputy County
Administrator
Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager
Tim Brownell, Director Solid Waste
x
Sara Crosswhite, Director 9-1-1
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Steve Dennison, County Clerk
x
Chris Doty, Director Road Department
x
.David Doyle, Legal Counsel
Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace
x
Janice Garceau, Director Health Services
x
Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney
Peter Gutowsky, Director Community
Development
x
Holly Harris, Director Behavioral Health
x
Geoff Hinds, Director Fair & Expo
x
Deevy Holcomb, Director Community
Justice
x
Heather Kaisner, Director Public Health
Sean Kirk, Manager Veteran's Services
x
Bill Kuhn, Treasurer
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Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program
Manager
x
Scot Langton, Assessor
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Tania Mahood, Director Information
Technology
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Kevin Moriarty, Forester
x
Elizabeth Pape, Internal Auditor �_x
Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager
2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 14, 2025 PAGE 1 OF 4
x
Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive
Assistant
x
Lee Randall, Facilities Director
Kim Riley, Senior Assistant Legal Counsel
x
Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer
Kent van der Kamp, Sheriff
Aaron Wells, Undersheriff
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Heather Herauf, Procurement Manager
Daniel Kieffer, Budget & Financial Planning
Analyst
Others Present:
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Doug Riggs, Director NW Policy Advocates
x
Corey Barber, Outreach Director NW Policy
Advocates
Emma Innes, Associate NW Policy
Advocates
1. Welcome and Introductions '
Chair DeBone called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2. Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner DeBone said at the Board's meeting on Monday, the County will host
a roundtable with representatives from various jurisdictions and other entities
regarding HB 3556, which involves potential changes to how Transient Room Tax
(TRT) revenues can be used.
Commissioner DeBone reported he traveled to Denver with other persons involved
in the Deschutes County CORES effort to tour three similar facilities, which was
highly informative.
Commissioner Chang recapped discussions he had with the co-chairs and vice chair
of the joint Committee on Transportation regarding a transportation package on
Wednesday, including possible revenue sources such as a road user charge.
3. Updates from NW Policy Advocates
Doug Riggs reported hearings were held on many proposed bills in the past week,
including some involving behavioral health issues such as substance use treatment.
At the national level, it appears that reduced federal funding may affect a $2 million
appropriation to the CORE3 project. HB 3342 would give the Water Resource
Department the ability to deny applications both inside and outside the UGB.
4. Review Bill Tracker Report by Department
Whitney Hale summarized that SB 902 would lower the retirement age for PERS for
those classified under police and fire to age 50 from 53. PERS has provided some
2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 14, 2025 PAGE 2 OF 4
testimony regarding the potential impacts if this change is made, and AOC has not
taken a position. She recommended this bill be monitored but no position taken by
the Board at this time. Robert Tintie noted that in the last session, the retirement
age was changed for Deputy District Attorneys, which increases the liability for the
PERS system at the same time that system is experiencing pressure. Board position:
priority 2 / neutral / follow.
Tom Kuhn spoke to HB 3221 which is supported by the Public Health Advisory
Board (PHAB) and would direct the development of a prevention strategy for
substance use and misuse, and hopefully enhance prevention services in the future.
Kuhn explained that a primary aim is to dissuade against substance use before that
happens. Heather Kaisner said that Public Health's primary goal is to see the
success of HB 2954, which would fund prevention services. Board position: priority 2
/ support.
Janice Garceau provided an update on efforts to secure funding for a child
psychiatric facility in Central Oregon, saying Rep. Levy's office is willing to submit a
request for $3.8 million, with the County's Behavioral Health department as the
pass -through entity. Commissioner Adair reported that the request from St. Charles
for $750,000 from the Central Oregon Health Council for this facility was approved
yesterday. Garceau shared that property in Redmond has been identified as a
possible location for siting this facility. Commissioner Chang reported that he
personally delivered the County's Congressionally -directed spending allocation
requests to the County's Congressional delegation when in Washington, DC earlier
this month, noting it remains to be seen whether any such allocations will be
approved or funded.
Discussion ensued of federal funding approved for the La Pine Community Health
Center and the reported ineligibility of a child psychiatric facility for HUD funds.
Commissioner Adair said Tuesday has been designated as "Behavioral Health" day
in Salem. Garceau referred to ongoing discussions about opening the 309 rules to
address administrative burdens, which she supported.
Nick Lelack said while the summary of HB 2138 refers to unincorporated
communities, the text makes clear that it only applies to unincorporated
communities inside of UGBs. Commissioner Chang explained the support of the
Regional Housing Council for this bill. Board position: priority 3 / monitor.
Riggs said SB 916 is controversial and would mandate the payment of
unemployment benefits to striking workers beginning the week after a strike was
declared. Public employees would be eligible along with those working in the private
sector, although public workers have not traditionally paid into the unemployment
2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 14, 2025 PAGE 3 OF 4
fund. Many counties pay unemployment costs directly. Both AOC and LOC oppose
this bill along with numerous counties. It passed out 3 -2 out of committee after five
hearings.
Erik Kropp reminded that Deschutes County is self -insured for unemployment and
recommended the Board oppose the bill. Tintle said the maximum allowable benefit
would be more than $800 per week per person. Commissioner Chang said while he
strongly supported the right to strike, because striking should involve some sacrifice
which serves to demonstrate the worker's convictions in terms of their contract, he
did not support this bill. Tintle added that during a strike, both sides must be
motivated to reach an agreement. Board position: priority 2 / oppose. Patterson
referred to a draft letter of opposition to this bill, which Commissioners Adair and
DeBone were in agreement to sign. Commissioner Chang asked for time to review
the letter before adding his signature.
Commissioner Chang said a hearing was held earlier this week on HB 3806 which
relates to the ability to be compensated for water conservancy. He explained the
environmental benefits of the bill, which would allow the Central Oregon Irrigation
District (COID) to share water with farmers in the North Unit Irrigation District
during the summer, with the latter releasing more water during the winter from the
Wickiup Reservoir to build winter flows in accordance with the habitat conservation
plan for the Upper Deschutes basin. He believed that most stakeholders support
this bill as drafted. Riggs reported on parties which testified in support of this bill
and expected to see it pass in the next few weeks. Commissioners DeBone and
Adair spoke to the importance of the agriculture industry in Jefferson County. Board
position• priority 2 / support.
Patterson said HB 3191 would provide funding for arts and cultural organizations,
including a $2 million allocation to the High Desert Museum. No hearing is
scheduled at this point. Board position: priority 2 / support.
Next Meeting: Friday, March 21 st at 8:00 am
Adjourn: Chair DeBone adjourned the meeting at 8:02 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
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Brenda Fritsvold, Executive Assistant
2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MARCH 14, 2025 PAGE 4 OF 4