Bend Current, Newsletter for the Community, April 2023

Transportation Bond Update 

Check out this new video where we give you an update on the 2020 Transportation General Obligation (GO) Bond Projects! 

Also, you’ll learn more about the new GO Bond Dashboard that lets you easily track the progress of projects. Financial information will be updated on a quarterly basis. 

Learn more by heading to bendoregon.gov/gobond. 

Or watch the video here.

Neighborhood Street Safety Program

The Bend City Council approved the construction contract for the 2023 Neighborhood Street Safety Program projects.

The City Council began funding the Neighborhood Street Safety Program (NSSP) in 2019 to focus on small projects that improve safety in neighborhoods throughout the City; 25 projects were selected and 11 of those projects have been completed to date.

Learn more at bendoregon.gov/nssp.

Inside Bend: Understanding the City Budget with Finance Director Janette Townsend

It’s that time of the year when the City sets its budget for the coming two years!

Finance Director Janette Townsend is the guest on the podcast this month as she is here to break down the City budget and explain exactly how and what City funds can be spent on.

Listen at bendoregon.gov/inside-bend or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify!

Bend Police Public Safety Survey

Bend Police released survey results gauging public perception of and concerns about safety in our community, and the community’s trust in and willingness to cooperate with Bend Police.

This year, a slightly higher percentage of respondents identified the Bend Police as trustworthy, compared to 2021.

Read the news story here.

City Program Aims to Make Building Accessory Dwelling Units Easier

A new program now streamlines the process to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit, to speed up the review process and potentially help property owners cut some costs.

The program, called the Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Plans program, allows property owners to use a building plan that has already passed Building Plan Review and meets building code.

Learn more about the program here.

City Council Updates

An Update from Mayor Kebler

Mayor Melanie Kebler gives an update on some of the work that City Council accomplished over the past month.

Click here to view the video update.

Wildflower Development Update

City Council approved changes to the Wildflower Development master plan to create more housing opportunities. The development is located on 15th Street just south of Wilson Avenue.

4.8 acres of land was redesignated from Mixed Employment District to Residential Medium Density residential. This change will create around 500 units of housing on that piece of land.

Read the issue summary here.

Help Keep Your Drinking Water Clean!

Safe drinking water is our highest priority!  

And it’s that time of year again as we head into the warmer month’s that you test your irrigation backflow system.

A backflow assembly stops potentially contaminated landscaping water, such as pet waste, chemicals or fertilizer from entering your interior plumbing.

It’s a required practice by Bend City Code and it helps keep you safe.  

Visit bendoregon.gov/crossconnection for more information.

Want to get involved with the City of Bend?

REMINDER: The deadline to apply for City of Bend Community Advisory Committees is April 30!

Community committees are a great way to get involved with City government. These groups make recommendations to City Council or City administrative staff on important topics that shape Bend’s future.

There are openings on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Bend Economic Development Advisory Board, Environment and Climate Committee, Landmark’s Commission and the Neighborhood Leadership Alliance. 

Learn more by reading the article here.