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MAY 2023
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Budget Process Underway
The City of Bend Budget Committee will discuss the proposed 2023-25 budget in public meetings on May 22 and 23.
The two-year budget’s operational revenues are $480.1 million.
Of the $480.1 million of City-wide operating revenues, $136.1 million is in the City’s General Fund. The General Fund mostly consists of property taxes. Assessed property tax revenues are expected to increase 5% per year.
Property taxes and the General Fund primarily fund police, fire and street maintenance services.
Water, sewer, stormwater (in the Utility Department) and the Community and Economic Development Department permit center operate more like businesses; fees associated with the services provided in those areas cover the cost of doing business.
The largest portion of the proposed budget is from planned investments in infrastructure, including projects improving water, sewer, stormwater and transportation infrastructure. Personnel services expenses, which include salary and benefit costs for City employees, represent the second largest category of spending in the proposed budget.
Read more here.
Fire News
Local Option Levy Approved!
Thank you, voters, for supporting fire and emergency medical services for the next five years!
Your investment will enable Bend Fire & Rescue to hire additional firefighter/paramedics and emergency medical technicians and continue providing excellent service to our growing community.
Own Your Zone
Embers from a fire can travel up to one mile! If an ember lands on combustible vegetation or debris such as leaves, pine needles or brush on or near a home, it can start a fire.
What you do at your home can protect you and your neighbors by stopping or slowing wildfires.
Bend Fire & Rescue’s Own Your Zone Bend webpage outlines a few simple things to do to make a big difference.
For example, Zone 1, also called the ’ember resistant zone,’ is the area directly around your home. Here are five things to do within five feet of your home:
- Clean your roof and gutters.
- Trim branches that touch your roof.
- Remove flammable vegetation.
- Replace bark mulch with non-combustible material.
- Move firewood away from the house and deck.
For more information on how to protect your home and property from wildfire, visit ownyourzonebend.org.
Road and Transportation Updates
Final Phase of Wilson Avenue Corridor Project has Begun
The Wilson Avenue Corridor Project reached a major milestone with the opening of the 15th Street roundabout.
Construction started on the final phases of the project on May 15, and will continue through the fall. Westbound traffic on Wilson Avenue will be closed between Fourth Street and Ninth Street.
The improvements are part of the Wilson Avenue Corridor Project, the first project of the Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond program approved by voters in 2020.
For more information about the project, including updates on traffic impacts and construction progress, visit the link here.
“Key Routes” – Online Open House and Survey
The City is currently designing a variety of safer and more accessible bike and pedestrian routes throughout the City, including along two of Bend’s heavily traveled northeast corridors: Butler Market and Boyd Acres roads.
Community members are invited to an online open house through May 22 to review and provide input on potential design configurations for portions of these two “key routes.”
Visit here for more bendoregon.gov/boyd-butler.
City Council Updates
 An Update from Mayor Kebler
Mayor Melanie Kebler gives an update on some of the work that the City Council accomplished this past month.
Watch the video here.
Low-barrier Emergency Shelter Contract
Council authorized an 18-month contract with Shepherd’s House Ministries for a low-barrier emergency shelter and support services at the City-owned Franklin Avenue Shelter (former Rainbow Motel) not to exceed $1.3 million.
The City and Deschutes County each allocated $750,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing and houseless services.
Read more in this issue summary and view the Council presentation here.
New Middle-Income Housing Program
Council approved establishing a Middle-Income Housing Pilot Program to award grants that incentivize creation or preservation of housing units which middle-income households can afford to purchase or rent.
Initial funding is $500,000 in the 2021-2023 biennial budget.
Learn more in this issue summary and the Council presentation.
Inside Bend: Diving into the Public Safety Survey with Bend PD Communications Manager Sheila Miller
Recently, the Bend Police Department released the results of the 2023 Police Survey which gauges community feedback on trust and safety.
We decided to take a closer look at what the survey found with Bend Police Communication Manager Sheila Miller as she explains the results of the survey.
We discuss what the department is doing well and what they are looking to improve upon.
You can listen to this podcast at bendoregon.gov/inside-bend or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
Water Quality Report
Bend continues to have outstanding water! And if the great tasting water wasn’t enough to persuade you, the science behind the reports is sure to verify the statement.
The City of Bend Utility Department recently published its 2022 Water Quality – Consumer Confidence Report validating that Bend has some of the best water quality sources available.
The Utility Department Laboratory monitors over 130 regulated and unregulated contaminants from both of its water sources throughout the year, including lead, copper, minerals, pesticides, and radioactive materials.
The City’s Water Quality Laboratory provided over 2,600 tests throughout the year.
You can read the 2022 Water Quality – Consumer Confidence Report at bendoregon.gov/waterreport.
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