Bend Current, Newsletter for the Community, December 2023

A Look Back at 2023

We are excited to share the following highlights from the last year with our community.

As we close out the year, we want to thank everyone who sent us an email, attended a Council meeting and gave us input on how to reach our goals – your involvement and civic engagement makes us stronger.

All of us at the City we look forward to what we can all accomplish together as we head into 2024.

Take care and we’ll see you next year!

To watch the year in review video, follow the link here. 

1. We launched the Bend Block Party Trailer, a neighborhood engagement trailer designed to build community connections. 

We heard from the community that there needs to be more opportunities to engage with each other and local government. This year, we purchased the Bend Block party trailer and used it at neighborhood gatherings across the city, including the State of the City in September. We want our local government to be welcoming and accessible for everyone. This program helps us get out of City Hall and meet people where they are – places like local parks and neighborhood streets. Read more about the Bend Block Party Trailer.

2. Police Data Dashboard.

This year, we launched a comprehensive data dashboard that details calls for service, crime trends, and other critical data mapped for your street, your neighborhood, and a citywide level. Learn more at policedata.bendoregon.gov.

3. Lighthouse Navigation Shelter.

In July, the Lighthouse Navigation Center celebrated one year of operations in Central Oregon. Over those twelve months, the Center provided 38,542 nights of shelter and 100,575 meals were served. And 235 individuals were connected with more permanent housing. The City of Bend purchased the property that houses the Navigation Center in 2021 and had funded a contract with Shepherd’s House Ministries for its operations through 2025. Read more about the Lighthouse Navigation Center.

4. We continue to preserve one of our most precious resources: water!

Our conservation efforts have helped us to lower the amount of water we are using over the past years, even though our population has grown. In 2022 we reached the lowest amount of water used per person in 10 years. Seven million gallons of water were saved over the past year just by the City’s sprinkler inspection program. Read more about Water Conservation.

5. Thank you, voters, for passing a new Fire Levy!

We’ve added fire stations and hired firefighters to keep up with the demands of a growing community. This is the fifth year in a row that Bend Fire and Rescue has received an American Heart Association award for our treatment of patients who experience heart attacks. Thank you for supporting us so we can be there for you when you need us, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Read more about Fire and Rescue.

6. The Newport Corridor is officially open!

We fully opened the Newport corridor in May of this year. We replaced old sewer and water lines that were deteriorating under the road, made the sidewalks continuous throughout the corridor, improved bicycle safety, and installed a new roundabout. The project let us put in a new stormwater system that catches bacteria and sediment before it gets into the Deschutes River. Read more about the Newport Corridor.

Need New Year’s Resolutions?

We have a few ideas for you:

Join a Committee!

Community committees are a great way to get involved with City government.

The City has several Council-appointed boards, committees, commissions, and advisory groups that make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff.

Applications are being accepted for the Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, Core Area Advisory Board, Human Rights and Equity Commission, Landmarks Commission, and Planning Commission.

To view all the committees, visit bendoregon.gov/committees.

Save More Water in 2024!

The City of Bend Water Conservation program will continue to offer rebates on high-efficiency indoor fixtures and equipment this winter.

You can get $80-100 off through our rebate program by upgrading your toilet, washing machine and bathroom fixtures so you can have the peace of mind that your savings will continue with each use for the life of the device and enjoy utility bill savings all year round.

The water you use during the winter (December – February) is calculated as your base sewer usage rate for the entire year.

So be sure to conserve water during those months for savings all year round!

You can learn more at waterwisetips.org.