Thank you for subscribing to the Inside Deschutes County E-Newsletter! Here's what's making news across the County:

Deschutes County Safe Parking Program

The Board of County Commissioners recently adopted a Safe Parking program that allows for regulated overnight parking for people experiencing homelessness. The program is limited to certain land within the urban growth boundaries and 1-mile from the urban growth boundaries of the cities of Bend and Redmond. 

Program participants must have access to bathroom, hand washing and trash disposal facilities. In most cases, case management services are also required. Case management helps individuals stabilize their lives and gain better access to support services and employment. 

The program is modeled after the successful safe parking programs at the cities and Bend and Redmond. To be eligible to host or operate a Safe Parking site, interested parties must receive written approval from Deschutes County. For questions or to obtain an application, please contact Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp at 541-388-6584 or erik.kropp@deschutes.org.

Budget Committee Chair Bruce Barrett Recognized

Earlier this month, the Board of Commissioners, members of the County’s Budget Committee and staff recognized Bruce Barrett for his 17 years of service on the County’s Budget Committee.

In January, Krisanna Clark-Endicott will join the County’s Budget Committee as its newest member.

Budget Committee members hear directly from department directors, staff and organizations about the county’s programs and services. The committee establishes how Deschutes County can best use its resources to serve the community, approves the budget, and submits it to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption.

To learn more about the County’s budget, visit www.deschutes.org/budget.

Volunteer Opportunities

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.

The award-winning Deschutes County Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) is now available online. It's an easy way to understand the County’s financial activities.

This 12 page report also details how public dollars are being spent on County services for community members.

The PAFR is available at this link.

You can also view the County’s full Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) online at deschutes.org/finance.

Episodes 15 and 16 of the Inside Deschutes County podcast are now live.

In Episode 15, we talked to Property Manager Kristie Bollinger about the 630+ properties the county manages and the challenges that come with that responsibility.

In Episode 16, we have an in-depth conversation with Community Justice Director Deevy Holcomb and Juvenile Detention Manager Rob Gilman about parole, probation, detention and successful outcomes.



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

Apple: https://apple.co/3JALtYB

Google: https://bit.ly/3LC8BqZ

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FptmlX

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/40uM6bC

Employee Spotlight: Shannon Orf

On any given weekend, you’ll find Shannon Orf at a park or a wetland taking photos of birds in flight. During the week, she gets a snapshot of what life is like for veterans after serving their country.

Orf is a Veterans Services Officer for Deschutes County Veterans' Services. She’s been in this role for a year and worked for Veterans Services 12 years altogether.

“This has definitely become my calling.”

Veterans' Services helps nearly 7,000 of the 17,000 to 18,000 veterans across Deschutes County. Orf’s mission is to connect vets and their dependents with the benefits they deserve.

“I think our office is crucial in our community.” says Orf. “A lot of veterans or surviving spouses or family members are not aware of the benefits that are out there to help our veterans.”

Orf previously worked in retail customer service, a role that helped prepared her to listen to the needs of veterans.

“These people walk in here and they have someone who is actually listening to them.”

Orf says, for many veterans, securing benefits is their current battle.

“They are still fighting and they’re hopefully winning that fight and we’re here to help them win.”

But sometimes there’s loss. Orf says she can spend 50 percent of her work week helping secure death benefits.

“What hits me hardest is when a veteran passes away and the family members have no clue what to do or where to go,” says Orf. “That’s the reason why I went home crying for a few years.”

Orf wants veterans and their families to know there are resources to help, including Veterans' Services at Deschutes County. Orf loves being on the frontlines of that assistance.

“When we get a win, we’re changing these people’s lives.”

And whether it’s capturing birds in flight or a helping a veteran in their new fight, Orf will be there. 

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!

If you received this email but you would not like to continue receiving it, you can unsubscribe at any time using the link below.

To request this information in an alternate format, please call (541) 322-7444 or email info@deschutes.org.