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

New Community Crisis Response Program

In partnership with local law enforcement agencies and Deschutes 9-1-1, Deschutes County Behavioral Health has launched a new Community Crisis Response program. Deschutes 9-1-1 is now transferring low and moderate risk mental health crisis calls to a team of mental health clinicians who can provide crisis services in the community without law enforcement.

“This program has the potential to take a significant burden off of first responders,” said Adam Goggins, Deschutes County Behavioral Health Program Manager. “We’re so pleased to be able to serve and support our community in this new way.”

Deschutes 9-1-1 will continue to dispatch law enforcement and Fire/EMS to high-risk calls while the Community Crisis Response Team will serve a supportive role.

The County’s mobile crisis team has been providing local crisis intervention services with and without law enforcement for more than 20 years. This program will see an expansion of the mobile crisis team’s capability to respond to crisis calls without law enforcement partners and will increase community accessibility to crisis services.

Stabilization Center Success

On June 1, Deschutes County Stabilization Center (DCSC) marked its official three year anniversary. The DCSC serves as a critical resource to the communities of rural central Oregon. Since this time, it has been in 24/7 continuous operation and provided more than 10,424 services to individuals in crisis. Deschutes County Stabilization Center serves individuals of all ages and is free and accessible to whoever seeks support.  

Since its inception, Deschutes County Stabilization Center has lifted a tremendous burden off the local emergency response system. Since 2020, approximately 30% of more than 10,000 services were diversions from the local emergency room. An additional, 19% of individuals were referred directly by law enforcement in lieu of going to the jail or other outcome. Furthermore, 108 individuals indicated they would have ended their life had they not come to Deschutes County Stabilization Center (and 1,704 stated they would not have known what they would have done.)

244 Kingwood Opens

On Monday, July 10, Deschutes County Behavioral Health and Mosaic Community Health opened a new location to serve adults, youth and families in Redmond.

The 244 Kingwood location, which is located near St. Charles Redmond, is a part of the County’s new North County Campus, which will fully open later this year. 

For more information, please visit deschutes.org/behavioralhealth.

Pet Licensing Fees

As of July 1, Deschutes County Dog Licensing has new multi-year licensing options and a discount for seniors.

A dog license can be issued for up to three years depending upon the expiration date of the dog's rabies license.

An annual license for a spayed or neutered dog is now $22 and the annual license for non-spayed or neutered dog is $36.

The senior rate (62 & over) remains at $16 for an annual license but is only available for a spayed or neutered dog. There is a slight discount for the non-senior multi-year licenses. Replacement tags are available at a cost of $5.

All dogs six months and older which reside in Deschutes County are required to be licensed regardless of whether the owner resides in the city limits or not.

Dog licenses can be purchased online at deschutes.org/dogs, at the Deschutes County Finance/Tax Office at 1300 NW Wall Street, 2^nd Floor, at local humane societies or through participating veterinarians. 

Licensing your dog not only ensures you won’t get a fine, but also helps in the recovery of a lost pet and lets people know your dog has been vaccinated for rabies.

For additional information, call 541-388-6637 or email petlicensing@deschutes.org.

Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo

The Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo is just days away! We have star-studded entertainment and rodeo action in store for your 2023 visit.  

Make plans to join us August 2–6. Tickets for the 2023 Bi-Mart Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo are on sale now at deschutesfair.com

Episode 5 is now live! With the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo just days away, we talk to Fair Director, Geoff Hinds and Commissioner Patti Adair about what to expect this year. Plus, they share their favorite memories of attending the fair.



You can listen at deschutes.org/podcast or you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Google, Spotify and Amazon Music. Just search 'Deschutes County.'

Apple: https://apple.co/3JALtYB

Google: https://bit.ly/3LC8BqZ

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FptmlX

Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/40uM6bC

Website: deschutes.org/podcast

Based on the passage of SB 391, Deschutes County has initiated a process to establish local rules for allowing accessory dwelling units (ADU) within rural residential areas.

County staff have prepared draft code provisions which will be reviewed by the Deschutes County Planning Commission and the Board of County Commissioners.

Members of the public are encouraged to review the proposed amendments and offer any testimony to the Board during an upcoming public hearing on July 26. Copies of the draft proposal can be found at the following website: deschutes.org/adu.

Any additional questions can be directed to Kyle Collins, Associate Planner, 541-383-4427.

For information on how to provide in-person or virtual testimony for the public hearing, please visit deschutes.org/meetings.

Deschutes County is wildfire country. Do you know what the different evacuation levels mean?

Make a plan, pack a go-bag, and get connected to emergency information by signing up for Deschutes Alerts. Take action now to prepare.

DDA Doyle Recognized

Deschutes County Deputy District Attorney Andrew Doyle was awarded the Outstanding Prosecutor Award by the Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Association and the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA earlier this month at an award ceremony in Eagle Crest.

This award recognized DDA Doyle for consistently developing and utilizing innovative and unique prosecutorial approaches to drug-related cases in support of the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team and local Street Crime Units in the Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. 

Congratulations, Andrew!

Road-E-O Champ!

Congratulations to Leo Olivas, heavy equipment operator with the Solid Waste Department!

Leo took Top Equipment Operator honors at a Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) Road-E-O skills competition hosted by Deschutes County Solid Waste at Knott Landfill.

With the Top Operator ranking, Leo is eligible to compete in the SWANA International Road-E-O, to be held in the fall in Colorado.

Way to go, Leo!

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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