[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6313670,"mediaKeyId","2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a","parentId",2387183,"title","County counsel says legal path is unclear as commissioners debate appealing state wildfire hazard map","audioSeconds",1254,"startMs",5486000,"endMs",6740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a&start=5486&end=6740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a/thumbnail_5486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313670/Deschutes-County/Oregon/County-counsel-says-legal-path-is-unclear-as-commissioners-debate-appealing-state-wildfire-hazard-map","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313670-f748a04397568bd4dc84ea780c72a5ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1777665562&Signature=QRlvjK6r5Ei6FuCvw0hPxNM-TRpxLMD9W-iShy91cQm8-NDJPl73HGQunfz8sBdCSSApMLyPqkfsJI5bFeREDwHLHneR7RKBBlSRLW~k1wa9~oJX5DrPMdf4v7Hrw7ePJIRE4dnkdjMoYH6eXQYUKWLBEHznqSy6vfivoDblhwlR1MdTiQqzpirBcGvAQUg4Y15jXSqXAit7u99--JaGT4HQoQBp1ZexXPVLb5iXdFbIs69KlYRDp2c1KCfR4F-dGLYTfj-BAcda~RFmXnm4vGW8h7~I1OsVZ6gRluMPO5gnd2qk8A9~NSEbTuxRuRR4zrc-ntv90pq~6ho82KOwGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Deschutes County, OR","date","2025-02-25T11:12:30Z","article","The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners debated whether to file an administrative appeal of Oregon’s draft wildfire-hazard mapping and discussed complementary steps the county could take to help property owners, while County Counsel said a local-government appeal is legally possible but not guaranteed to succeed.

The board’s discussion opened with a presentation of map statistics and an appeal template referenced from the Oregon Department of Forestry. Staff noted Deschutes County has a large number of parcels in the statewide mapping exercise and suggested filing an appeal “on behalf of properties located in Deschutes County” to raise attention to mapping errors and methodology. County Counsel Dave Doyle told the board that an appeal by a local government is not definitively barred by administrative rules but that legal questions remain about standing and procedural proof. “We can't say unequivocally either way that you absolutely can or you absolutely can't,” Doyle said. “If the county were inclined to do it, we'd want a lot of disclaimers and publicity that ... folks should fill out their own appeals for their own individual properties.”

Commissioners and others at the meeting expressed differing views about the usefulness of an appeal versus pursuing other wildfire-risk measures. One commissioner urged the board to focus on measures that directly reduce fire risk and increase defensible space rather than spending time solely on contesting the map. “We need requirements to get to the percentage of homes, with defensible space that will actually make a difference,” a board member said during the discussion.

Other commissioners argued an appeal would raise visibility and public awareness; county staff and legislators had shared data indicating many county properties are included in the draft high-risk designations. A commissioner also said numerous individual appeals had already been filed by property owners and that a county-level filing could amplify constituent concerns.

At the end of discussion a commissioner moved “support of the wildland urban interface appeal form on behalf of 21,058 property owners” and another commissioner seconded the motion; the transcript records the motion and the second but does not record a formal roll-call vote. Following discussion the board asked staff to draft a press release describing the county’s actions and to return the draft for review. County Counsel advised members that individual property owners should still submit appeals for their own parcels if they intend to seek formal review.

The board also discussed related legislative issues: commissioners referenced Senate Bill 762 and state-level programs created to fund defensible-space work, and some members warned against undoing programs that fund community-scale mitigation and support vulnerable residents. The board then moved on to other agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/24/2025 - Board of Commissioners - Monday Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners debated filing an administrative appeal of Oregon’s draft wildfire hazard map and directed staff to prepare a public notice, while County Counsel said a countywide appeal may be legally possible but carries procedural uncertainties.","taxTitle","Deschutes County, Oregon","taxId",2763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313674,"Deschutes County treasurer and CFO report stable reserves, ongoing budget work and economic uncertainty",2451,3031000,5482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a&start=3031&end=5482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a/thumbnail_3031000.jpg","/articles/6313674/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Deschutes-County-treasurer-and-CFO-report-stable-reserves-ongoing-budget-work-and-economic-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313674-28702f97b52f8aed6424ae0795f3252d/orig.mp4?Expires=1777665562&Signature=A1RjlKZr1~8~GznAwlbTPzwZNqzE7bDjHNjeAd2gMuADJQibMsM~8kks5UGttrcMsF4J1uRQ84oH~cHJl9WxvHvk8rTAD8CU-wN-ziqFH4pSUc5MDglb7iKTdmpv13LdRWNr41tJ11JmWt2LsuPd-rBjvIvHzfpCzCZNIaBZT3DVzkBruo2NHCyroD5odwybHE2YFz-RusDQPS-KjiCbgtcb97xq7khyzlVt5-AYn5CCt9--qC1zHYUVtF6Q6UxGHHQziQEFTy6WCz7ZaaQjXyS9iDxMjAPOcc5wImNH7-Z8Jrr25vQ4wMrNI9gOAzflwAgOdosJbrZD6CW32KVO4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deschutes County finance leaders presented the board with a comprehensive January financial update and an outline of the budget-development schedule, reporting generally stable reserves, recent portfolio changes and several revenue and economic risks.

Robert Tuttel, chief financial officer, and Janet (financial reporting) briefed the board on the county’s unaudited financial statements and budget timelines. “The revenue in the general fund is about 92% of budget,” the report said, while year-to-date expenditures were below prior-year levels after accounting for transfers. The county’s portfolio balance for the month was reported at approximately $359.3 million, a seasonal decline tied to tax turnover, and staff said they are maintaining a higher level of short-term liquidity to guard against federal payment delays.

Tuttel and treasury staff described a blended short-term yield and a weighted term to maturity near 1.18 years, with maximum maturities around 3.41 years; they said recent declines in short-term LGIP and bank yields have reduced monthly investment earnings compared with the prior month but remain above earlier levels. “All portfolio category balances are well within policy guidelines,” staff told commissioners.

The treasurer’s office and budget team flagged several federal fiscal risks driving local uncertainty: the near-term need to pass a continuing resolution (the report cited an approaching deadline around March 14), the U.S. debt-limit situation and potential market volatility tied to trade and monetary policy. Staff said those national developments could affect funding streams and the county’s investment returns.

On local indicators, staff noted housing-market differences across Deschutes County: Bend’s median single-family sale price rose to around $725,000 in January, Redmond’s jumped to $562,000, Sunriver and Sisters retained higher median prices and La Pine remained lower. Room-tax (transient lodging tax) revenues for the county’s TRT fund were at or slightly above seasonal expectations after a strong December.

Budget process timing: staff reminded commissioners that internal service funds have already submitted budgets, and non-internal departments will begin formal budget kickoff on March 4 with department submissions due March 30–31. County staff said they will continue meeting with departments and the sheriff’s office to align priorities and reflect leadership changes in next year’s proposed budget.

On other funds, the sheriff’s office was projecting vacancy-driven savings and a stronger-than-budgeted year-end fund balance; health services and behavioral-health funds were projecting improved outcomes compared with the prior month, largely reflecting vacancy savings and adjusted transfers.

Commissioners asked questions about investment strategy, the county’s exposure to short-term rate changes and staffing levels in solid-waste and other departments. Staff said they are watching short-term yields and intend to continue a hold-to-maturity approach for many longer investments while keeping a portion of the portfolio liquid to offset potential federal-payment timing risks.","County finance staff reviewed January financials, investment yields and the 2025 budget schedule; officials said revenues and liquidity remain generally healthy but cited federal fiscal uncertainty and near-term economic volatility as risks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6313679,"Pacific Power outlines preliminary route options for 500 kV “Blueprint South” transmission project",1774,742000,2516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a&start=742&end=2516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2387183-c5aa68d321e18bfb20f7912681e7843a/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6313679/Deschutes-County/Oregon/Pacific-Power-outlines-preliminary-route-options-for-500-kV-Blueprint-South-transmission-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313679-49d8054910f3c941d277a5a51ec89371/orig.mp4?Expires=1777665562&Signature=aSf52lUcgl839R4sn16nC6GnRoBsh4Lhmaib4mz0P-Sa8lZ0mreg-mgiTuOOxJGZ7LHTlxyafuwC0GkowUULNGZjgX1a34o495Yp4iKOaaH1UyEWnQTozFwSYZnCSDUVGfFZyGOZtPK1e8DDvXn2YL4VJMp600GhvKxLH8sWm3bEBss~SJAMD7u3B7x6TFEJoP7JZeBQ9YWcxhB1ixjhK-lhbw7ILbXSuGyY4UqAbnSFLULHLRm3Zyo1OnpUfYT2YrL6v-aRYxx9qVulayL2RwY1fmtOIbfZ7AjFNcQXHfP26FL7u-dlFnbuza4lRzuGvxfDhXcaoHeeJRfifrD57Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pacific Power project staff updated the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on preliminary route alternatives for a proposed 500 kilovolt transmission backbone project the company calls “Blueprint South,” saying the line is intended to reinforce the regional transmission system and enable future renewable-energy interconnections.

The presentation, led by John Anello of Pacific Power and accompanied by Power Engineers project manager Derek Bell, covered the study area (roughly from the Prineville/Bend-Redmond region south toward the Klamath area), potential corridor groupings, engineering and environmental constraints, and public-engagement plans. “This is a project called we call Blueprint South,” Anello said during the presentation. “The purpose of this project again is it's reinforcing the backbone system of the entire region.”

Pacific Power described four north–south corridor groupings in Deschutes County, with multiple variations between the Bend–Redmond area and the Chiloquin/Klamath region. The company said its analysis favors collocating new lines alongside existing infrastructure where feasible (roads, existing transmission corridors and rights-of-way) but noted tradeoffs: co-location can reduce impacts on undeveloped land while concentrating risk from single events such as wildfires. “If you have same circuit lines ... you could lose both lines and you have no redundancy,” Anello said.

The company displayed conceptual tower types and right-of-way widths for a 500 kV system and described engineering screening that avoids steep slopes, major river crossings and sensitive wetlands where practicable. Anello said the proposed line will be a new, separate right-of-way rather than an upgrade of an existing lower-voltage line; “it's a brand new line with brand new right of way,” he said.

Responding to questions from commissioners and members of the public, Pacific Power said the Blueprint South project will not directly address near-term local load shortfalls such as Lakeview’s separate needs for power to support a biomass plant, but it could lower the cost of later local connections by bringing high-voltage facilities closer. “Directly this project won't support that; indirectly it will bring a 500 kV line closer which will reduce the cost in getting future power to people,” Anello said.

The company said it has formed two community working groups (Bend/Redmond area and Klamath Falls area), has held multiple meetings, and plans a series of public open houses: in Prineville and Bend (dates cited by staff as the 11th), Chiloquin and Klamath Falls (the 12th) and a virtual session (the 18th). Attendees will be able to view route boards and use a GIS station to see how alternatives relate to private parcels, staff said. The project’s targeted in-service date was described as 2032, with a construction start window discussed around 2029; Pacific Power cautioned that permitting remains a significant uncertainty.

Pacific Power also described how the new line and associated substations would be used operationally: 500 kV transmission is intended to strengthen the long-distance backbone and improve the system’s ability to move and balance generation across the region; lower-voltage substations (e.g., 500/230 kV) would provide tie-in points to developers and distribution networks. “Those 230 lines, will then be able to connect to other generators,” Anello said, describing how new substations would facilitate later renewable generation connections.

Commissioners and the public asked about tower spacing, proximity to features such as Pine Mountain and Newberry Crater, and interactions with federal transmission corridors and Bonneville Power Administration facilities. Pacific Power said many alternatives follow established federal corridors where multiple 500 kV lines already exist, while other options include greenfield segments to avoid particular constraints.

Company staff said technical routing continues in parallel with public engagement and that final routing and siting decisions will depend on additional engineering, environmental permitting and landowner agreements. For further information, Anello provided contact details and reiterated the company’s commitment to continuing outreach.","Pacific Power project managers presented preliminary corridors for a proposed 500 kilovolt transmission line running roughly between the Bend/Redmond area and the Klamath region, described siting criteria and community outreach plans, and scheduled public open houses in February and March.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County counsel says legal path is unclear as commissioners debate appealing state wildfire hazard map

Deschutes County treasurer and CFO report stable reserves, ongoing budget work and economic uncertainty

Pacific Power outlines preliminary route options for 500 kV “Blueprint South” transmission project