Board directs District Mapping Advisory Committee to draft five equally proportioned districts

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 3 clarified mapping guidance for a citizen District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMACC), indicating the board’s preference that the committee produce maps with five equally proportioned districts for commissioner seats.

Jen Patterson, strategic initiatives manager, said the DMACC had asked whether the guidelines were mandatory or advisory, specifically whether the committee could propose a map with four districts plus one at-large seat. Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs between district-based representation and countywide responsibilities.

Several speakers emphasized that districted seats ensure local residents have a direct representative, while others raised concerns that a fully districted board can prioritize parochial interests. Commissioner Chang referenced other jurisdictions that permit candidates to run only from a district but be elected countywide as a hybrid option for committee consideration.

The board asked staff to provide the DMACC with clarity: to move forward under the goal of five equally proportioned districts (the transcript notes a target population deviation goal of roughly 5 percent, with statutory targets discussed), while leaving room for the committee to study alternate election models and return with questions. Patterson said the DMACC would begin substantive mapping work at its next meeting on Sept. 10.

Staff noted the committee’s orientation meeting was posted online and that further questions from the committee may be brought back to the board for direction.