Loading...
2025-198-Minutes for Meeting June 06,2025 Recorded 6/24/2025vTES C 1. O BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon (541) 388-6571 Recorded in Deschutes County OJ2025-198 Steve Dennison, County Clerk 0 Commissioners' Journal 6l24/2025 9:56:31 AM r� `<< Il l l l 11 11 �1� 11 l 11 11 � l 1111111 X j ` 2025-198 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 7:00 AM FRIDAY, DUNE 6, 2025 ZOOM MEETING A legislative work session was held on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. via Zoom Virtual Meeting Platform, Deschutes County Attendance: x Commissioner Anthony DeBone, Chair x Nick Lelack, County Administrator x Commissioner Patti Adair, Vice Chair x Erik Kropp, Deputy County Administrator x Commissioner Phil Chang x Whitney Hale, Deputy County Administrator Kristie Bollinger, Property Manager Tim Brownell, Director Solid Waste Sara Crosswhite, Director 9-1-1 Steve Dennison, County Clerk x Chris Doty, Director Road Department x David Doyle, Legal Counsel Charles Fadeley, Justice of the Peace x Stephen Gunnels, District Attorney Peter Gutowsky, Director Community Development x Holly Harris, Interim Director Health Services Geoff Hinds, Director Fair & Expo Deevy Holcomb, Director Community Justice Heather Kaisner, Director Public Health Sean Kirk, Manager Veteran's Services Bill Kuhn, Treasurer x Tom Kuhn, Public Health Program Manager Scot Langton, Assessor Tania Mahood, Director Information Technology x Kevin Moriarty, Forester Elizabeth Pape, Internal Auditor x Jen Patterson, Strategic Initiatives Manager Lee Randall, Director Facilities Kim Riley, Senior Assistant Legal Counsel x Robert Tintle, Chief Financial Officer 2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 6, 2025 PAGE 1 OF 4 Kent van der Kamp, Sheriff Aaron Wells, Undersheriff Heather Herauf, Procurement Manager Daniel Kieffer, Budget & Financial Planning Analyst Cody Smith, Assistant Director Road x Brenda Fritsvold, BOCC Executive Assistant Department Others Present: x Doug Riggs, Director NW Policy Advocates 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 7:00 a.m. 2. Commissioner Updates Responding to Commissioner Adair, Doug Riggs said that SB 1153 has not yet passed. A Dash 10 amendment has been proposed, which Riggs will discuss later in the meeting. Commissioner Chang thanked legislators for their efforts, and also thanked Doug Riggs for his work on behalf of Deschutes County. 3. Updates from NW Policy Advocates Riggs noted that hearings and work sessions can now be posted with only an hour's notice, so they are amid the end -of -session rush. There is panic surrounding the revenue forecast, although the May forecast matches the December forecast. Uncertainty around federal funding is a contributing factor. Two key issues have garnered the attention of the federal government. First, the state of Oregon has been declared a sanctuary state. Second, Healthy Oregon uses Medicaid dollars from the General Fund for healthcare for undocumented individuals. $544 million in funds are non -obligated and can be put away in the Rainy -Day fund, noting that a three -fifths vote is required to take money out of the Rainy -Day fund. Some legislators are asking for some of these dollars to fund key programs, such as community corrections. AOC, AFSCME and law enforcement agencies are pushing for community corrections funding, which may come in the form of a Christmas tree bill. Additionally, disappointment looms over early learning funding. 2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 6, 2025 PAGE 2 OF 4 Riggs provided a summary of key budgets that are still pending, including but not limited to, Oregon Health Authority (OHA), Oregon Department of Transportation, wildfire and capital construction. Riggs emphasized that key funding saves money in the long run. SB 1153 imposes new procedures and review processes for water transfers. The Dash 10 amendment exempts municipal organizations from the bill. The agricultural community has expressed great concern over this bill. SB 75 is still being held hostage, as well as wildfire bill SB 83. Responding to Commissioner DeBone, Riggs said that some committees are having informational hearings but cannot consider or pass bills at this time. Related to the transportation package, Riggs is disappointed there is still no announced legislative accountability package for ODOT. It is crucial for transportation funds to be spent responsibly and efficiently. Aside from the gas tax, legislators are searching for other funding sources. Riggs noted that many ODOT employees are working remotely, and there has been a push by legislators to get them back in the office. 4. Review Bill Tracker Report by Department Robert Tintle provided a brief update on HIS 3962, the Transient Lodging Tax bill. The House Committee on Revenue is still discussing this bill. Tintle summarized three proposed amendments to this bill. Riggs noted that City of Bend Manager Eric King and Mayor Melanie Keebler recently testified on this bill. Lelack met with Eric King last night. The City of Bend is concerned about shelter funding under HB 3466. If this bill does not pass, shelters will need to be closed. Riggs again emphasized that cutting funding to crucial programs will increase costs in the long run. Chris Doty spoke about the transportation package, noting that the focus should be maintenance and operations. Riggs said that if an agreement cannot be reached soon, it could be postponed to a special fall session. Commissioner DeBone said that COIC would like entities qualified to receive direct funding to include transit operators, not only transit districts. Riggs is hopeful that legislators come up with a transportation package that can gain bipartisan support, meeting in the middle relative to new taxes and transit funding. 2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 6, 2025 PAGE 3 OF 4 Commissioner Adair said that adding a gas tax of up to 40 cents per gallon will hurt low-income earners, and Oregon already leads the nation with high gas prices. Riggs said the intent is to spread the cost around, and to possibly include extra fees for EVs and EV chargers. Commissioner Chang noted that Oregon would be in the middle of the pack for gas taxes if they added 40 cents per gallon. Responding to Commissioner Adair, Riggs said that SB 702 is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, June 11 t" in the Finance and Revenue committee. Riggs reported that HIS 3069 is in Ways and Means. Amendments requested by Deschutes County were incorporated by Representative Kropp. A work session has been scheduled for today. Commissioner DeBone reported he will be at the East Cascade Works Consortium Board Budget Meeting next Tuesday or Wednesday. Next Meeting: The next virtual legislative update meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m. Adjourn: Chair DeBone adjourned the meeting at 7:32 a.m. Respectfully Submi by: Angi ow , Administrative Assistant 2025 DESCHUTES COUNTY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JUNE 6, 2025 PAGE 4 OF 4 • A Friday, June 6, 2025, 7:00 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, June 5th 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.