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Deschutes County commissioners approve staff additions, contractor pool and open record request; multiple motions pass
Summary
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on March 5 approved several routine but consequential items: a budget amendment to add a full-time building inspector position, a notice of intent to award a qualified pool of fuel-reduction contractors for 2025, and a board order to reopen the record on a land-use application related to commercial activity in a farm use zone.
The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on March 5 approved several routine but consequential items: a budget amendment to add a full-time building inspector position, a notice of intent to award a qualified pool of fuel-reduction contractors for 2025, and a board order to reopen the record on a land-use application related to commercial activity in a farm use zone. Commissioners also directed legal staff to pursue reconsideration in a separate comprehensive-plan matter.
The most immediate fiscal action was the board's unanimous adoption of Resolution No. 2025-006, a budget amendment to add one full-time equivalent building safety inspector position in the Community Development Division. The board was told the position addresses recruitment challenges and potential short-term staffing gaps due to family medical leave.
The board voted to approve Document No. 2025-212, a Notice of Intent to Award the 2025 qualified pool of fuel-reduction contractors. County staff said 20 applicants applied and recommended all 20 be added to the pool; staff noted the pool speeds contracting when projects arise and that many smaller contracts fall under the county's $25,000 signing authority.
Separately, the board approved a motion to reopen the record for an application authorizing commercial activity connected with a farm use (a winery) in an MUA zone; the item was taken off the consent agenda for separate consideration and the board voted to reopen the record and proceed with the indicated board order.
Finally, the board adopted Order No. 2025004 directing staff and legal counsel to withdraw the county's LUBA (Land Use Board of Appeals) respondent brief and pursue a reconsideration hearing limited to issues raised in LUBA filings; staff will seek an extension of timing requirements from 90 to 180 days.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minus Item 3): approved (board recorded yes votes by Commissioner Dyer, Commissioner Chang, and the chair). - Item 3 (reopen record for winery/farm use application; board order no. 2025-006): motion moved and seconded; recorded yes votes by Commissioner Dyer, Commissioner Chang and the chair. - Resolution 2025-006 (add 1.0 FTE building safety inspector; budget amendment): adopted unanimously. - Document 2025-212 (Notice of Intent to Award 2025 qualified pool of fuel reduction contractors): approved unanimously. - Order 2025004 (direct staff to seek reconsideration hearing on 2040 comprehensive plan matters): adopted unanimously.
The board made no final policy changes tied to these approvals; staff described next steps such as recruitment timelines, contract award processes and schedule adjustments for the LUBA-related reconsideration.
Ending County staff said recruitment for the inspector position is expected to take several months, with a likely hire after June; the fuel-reduction contractor pool will be used as projects arise this season; staff will report back on the outcome of the LUBA extension request and the scheduling of the reconsideration hearing.
