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On Wednesday, March 20, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners adopted the updated Deschutes County Transportation System Plan (TSP). The plan will go into effect in June.

The TSP is a long-range plan that identifies improvements to the County's transportation facilities and services to accommodate projected population and employment growth within the County for the next 20 years. The plan includes more than 100 needed transportation projects identified by the community and transportation professionals throughout Deschutes County.

“TSP updates were based on a robust engagement process that spanned several years,” said Chris Doty, Deschutes County Road Department Director. “With community input, we’ve identified key opportunities make the County's transportation safer and more efficient.” 

The plan focuses on preserving existing investments while accommodating current and future transportation needs.

The TSP includes prioritized investments in areas such as intersection changes, roadway segments, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, bridges, and transit.  

The TSP includes a variety of investments in: 

• Roadway improvements: Estimated at a total cost of $88.6 million, these projects involve modifications to roadway segments to accommodate increased traffic and support future growth. 

• County investments in ODOT intersections: Estimated at a total cost of $41.1 million, these projects involve collaboration with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to improve intersections.

• Intersection changes: Estimated at a total cost of $28.5 million, these projects aim to improve traffic flow and safety at various intersections within the county. 

• Bridges: Estimated at a total cost of $16 million, these projects involve the modification or construction of bridges to improve connectivity and safety for all users. 

• Investments in Recreational Areas: Estimated at a total cost of $8.8 million, these projects leverage funding from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) to enhance transportation facilities providing connections to key recreational areas and economic development priorities adjacent to or within Federal lands.

• Pedestrian safety: Estimated at a total cost of $6.3 million, these projects focus on enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility throughout the county. 

You can view the Transportation System Plan here. 

On Wednesday, March 20, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing to discuss the Wilson Avenue Housing Program, which serves men on supervision with Deschutes County Parole & Probation. The County purchased the triplex at 640 SE Wilson Ave in Bend with grant funding from the State of Oregon. The program provides interim and long-term housing for men who are involved with the justice system and would otherwise experience acute homelessness.

Commissioners heard public testimony from community members about the program and voted 2-1 to direct staff to look for an alternate location for the program in Bend or Redmond. Commissioner Phil Chang voted against the motion, articulating that he’d like more information about how the County would purchase a new property and address neighbor concerns about a new location.

Commissioners will continue their discussion about the program in April.

AJ Tucker Deconstruction Update

Deconstruction of the AJ Tucker building is nearly complete and will be wrapping up the week of March 18. The stones comprising the historic façade have been tagged and palletized and are beings stored at a secure County lot. County staff are actively looking for opportunities for reuse of the stones in alignment with the Bend Landmarks Commission approval process.  

Over the next two months a temporary entrance will be installed for the Deschutes County Courthouse between the main courthouse and the gray courthouse in preparation for the full expansion project. 

Construction on the courthouse expansion project is expected to begin later this spring and continue through the fall of 2025. 

Mobile Clinic Launch

This month, Deschutes County Health Services and OSU-Cascades Student Wellness held a joint celebration to launch Deschutes County Public Health's Mobile Clinic.

Students were able to discover services, take part in a survey, enjoy free food and win prizes.

The clinic will provide sexual and reproductive health services on the OSU Cascades campus during the first and third weeks of the month until the end of the school year.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can call (541) 322-7499.

Over the past two years, Deschutes County has received and allocated more than $38 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in support of key community projects.  Our new video series highlights some of the County’s key investments and their impact in our local communities.

The Board of Commissioners awarded more than $7.8 million in ARPA funds to support affordable housing projects across Deschutes County. Our new video highlights the impact of County’s $900,000 allocation to Habitat for Humanity La Pine/Sunriver.  

"I Voted" Sticker Contest

Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison stopped by Lava Ridge Elementary in Bend to recognize the winner of the 2024 Deschutes County K-5 “I Voted” Sticker Contest.

Ivy Sapp, a 2nd grader, received a framed Voters' Pamphlet with her winning sticker design on the cover. She also received printed stickers to hand out to her classmates.

Middle-high school (6-12) sticker design submissions will be accepted through the end of June.

The winning sticker designs will be featured during the 2024 Presidential Primary (K-5) and General (6-12) elections and featured in each election's Voters' Pamphlet.

Contest details at this link.

The Deschutes County Road Department is requesting input on design concepts to improve traffic flow and safety at NW Lower Bridge Way and NW 43rd Street near Crooked River Ranch. Improvements at the intersection are designated as a high-priority project in the County’s Transportation System Plan.

The proposed intersection improvement concepts focus on improving traffic flow into and out of Crooked River Ranch and improving safety for cyclists. The three design concepts include a roundabout, a re-alignment of NW 43rd Street and a right-turn lane enhancement to support road users turning right onto NW 43rd Street.

Community input about these initial concepts is being collected via a virtual open house, which is active until Friday, April 19. Members of the public can rank each concept numerically and provide comments on the concepts. The virtual open house is available at this web address.

Public input will assist the project team in the selection of preferred concept for design.

Deschutes County is announcing a new grant opportunity to help local communities reduce the risk of wildfire. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has allocated $90,000 to support fuel reduction projects for projects that are adjacent to or within one mile of BLM land.

Applications will be accepted until March 31. There are no established minimum or maximum amounts for grant requests, however awards are anticipated to range between $20,000-30,000 in contractual services. Actual award amounts will be dependent on demand. Applicants for Fuel Reduction grants must be working at a neighborhood or community scale.

Additional information about grant requirements and the grant application are available online at this link.

As we mark one year since the launch of the Inside Deschutes County podcast, we welcome County Commissioner Patti Adair on episode 23. We discuss Measure 110, funding for the Stabilization Center, nitrate concerns in South County and much more.

And on episode 24, we talk to Road Department Director, Chris Doty and Senior Transportation Planner, Tarik Rawlings about the latest developments on the Transportation System Plan. Find out about the projects that will be worked on, where the money comes from and how they're prioritized.



You can listen to both episodes at deschutes.org/podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Nominations for the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Safe Sidewalk Awards are now open. 

The committee is seeking nominations of businesses, individuals or organizations that have made an extra effort to keep their sidewalks safe by clearing debris and hazards.

Winners will be recognized with Safe Sidewalk Awards, which will be presented by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.

To nominate a business, property owner or individual for their safe sidewalks, submit a nomination form by March 27. 

Historic Landmarks Commission Joint Meeting

This month, County Commissioners and the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) met jointly for the first time in several years.

The HLC has four new commissioners after a selection process which occurred in December. There are seven HLC commissioners in total, two of which are ex-officio, meaning they are advisory and cannot vote.

The HLC serves as a citizen advisory body to the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners and the Sisters City Council. Their role is to assist property owners in the preservation of landmarks with historical or architectural significance.

The quarterly meetings are open to the public and can be viewed online by going to deschutes.org/meetings.

Deschutes County relies on volunteers to support many important committees which benefit Deschutes County residents. Click on the links below for a list of current volunteer openings or for a list of committees and their members appointed by the Deschutes County Commissioners.

Employee Spotlight: Angie Havniear

When you walk into Angie Havniear’s office, you’ll see sticky notes all around. Most are taped to her computer monitors. Taped because sometimes those notes need a little reinforcement to hang in there.

Havniear has used sticky notes at Deschutes County’s Community Development Department for 9 years. She is currently an Administrative Manager for Code Enforcement and Coordinated Services for permit technicians.

“I love this job just because I get to serve the community I grew up in. It means a lot to me,” says Havniear.

It’s fitting Havniear works for a department that starts with the word community. She talks about her team as a group that gets work done and supports each other.

“We are a family and have been through a lot of life together,” says Havniear. “Ups and downs and highs and lows. We work hard, we care about each other, we help each other lift when it’s hard.”

And life has been hard for Havniear. She lost her husband to cancer last summer. Her four children are now on their own. Her nest may be empty, but life remains full.

“I have a strong family. My parents live in Central Oregon. My faith and hope keep me going and keep me grounded.”

Havniear’s father was a developer. Growing up she got to see how the permitting process worked. She also saw how building relationships are just as important as the paperwork. 

 “I love making the connection from my family upbringing to how I can impact customers now,” explains Havniear.

It’s a season of transition for Havniear and her family as they navigate loss and life. She’s a grandmother now and is embracing change. Those experiences help her communicate as a manager and with the community.

“It helps me relate to people in a way that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.”

Havniear explains how Community Development is more complex these days. Technological advances demand cutting edge standards as do the customers she serves.

“I’m proud of the work we do here at CDD and am grateful to lead my staff to the best of my ability and to serve the community I love.”

It’s a good thing there are plenty of sticky notes and tape for all the work she does.

We're hiring!

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,200 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices. 

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team!

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