Bend City Council approves Visit Bend's $4.9M budget for fiscal year 2025-2026

The Bend City Council meeting held on June 4, 2025, focused on the annual presentation from Visit Bend, which outlined their business plan and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The council expressed a desire for more frequent engagement with Visit Bend, emphasizing the importance of their partnership in local economic development.

During the meeting, council members highlighted the need for ongoing discussions with Visit Bend beyond their annual presentation. One councilor noted that the current once-a-year format limits opportunities for collaboration and suggested more regular interactions to enhance partnership efforts. This sentiment was echoed by Visit Bend representatives, who welcomed the idea of increased communication and collaboration, particularly in light of recent challenges such as wildfire impacts that resulted in significant revenue losses for the city.

The council unanimously approved Visit Bend's proposed budget of $4,976,200 for the fiscal year 2025-2026, signaling their support for the organization's initiatives. The meeting concluded with a call for further discussions on various topics, including local infrastructure improvements.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's commitment to fostering a strong partnership with Visit Bend, recognizing its critical role in the city's economic strategy and community engagement.