For Immediate Release             

Date:  June 3, 2020

City of Bend Discusses Proposed Budget Cuts

Due to COVID-19 related closures and economic impacts, the City of Bend anticipates a revenue shortfall this 2019-21 biennium between $7 million and $14.5 million.

“The City’s revenues come from people in Bend and visitors, and our region has experienced high unemployment, a drop in tourism and business closures,” said City Manager Eric King.

Budget shortfalls could begin affecting the City’s budget this summer. The City of Bend collects different revenues at different times, so the full budgetary impact of COVID-19 on the City of Bend will be unknown for many months. Anticipated Citywide revenue shortfalls as of today include:

• $5.4 million to $11.4 million shortfall from room tax revenues;
• $400,000 to $1.3 million shortfall from lower property tax collections;
• $700,000 to $1.2 million shortfall from fines and citations; and
• $650,000 shortfall from highway gas taxes.

Every department has analyzed its Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget and proposed reductions up to 10 percent per department. Proposed cuts include hiring freezes on vacant positions, reduced contractual services, reduced facility improvements, deferred vehicle and equipment purchases, canceled trainings, reduced or delayed projects and reductions in service levels that do not jeopardize regulatory compliance.

On June 3, the City Council and the Budget Committee will discuss the budget reductions proposal. Livestream at www.bendoregon.gov/councilagenda. Formal budget adjustments are scheduled for approval on June 17.

“Unlike some segments of the economy that were immediately impacted, the City has time to plan. We are working to avoid layoffs as long as possible to continue providing core public services with the resources we have,” said City Manager Eric King.

To support Governor Brown’s order for physical distancing, the City of Bend will conduct the Budget Committee, Bend Urban Renewal Agency and Council Meetings virtually through Cisco WebEx. The June 3 meeting agenda and livestreaming link can be found at: www.bendoregon.gov/councilagenda

Listen-only Phone Number:

• 1-855-282-6330
• Access code: 962 865 002##

Members of the public who wish to offer public comment can call 1-855-282-6330 and enter access code: 969 175 653## when prompted for a meeting ID number. The public comment phone line will be accessible starting at 5:30 p.m.

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities                                                 To obtain this information in an alternate format such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, etc. please contact Anne Aurand at 541-388-5573 or aaurand@bendoregon.gov.