Sunriver residents urge county attention to Four Rivers vector control governance and spraying policies

Two Sunriver residents raised concerns during the public-input period at the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 25, asking the board to examine Four Rivers Vector Control's governance and spraying policies.

The speakers, Gage Thompson and Paige Thompson, described recent experience in which they said county vector control crews sprayed their property despite having signed a form to decline spraying. The Thompsons said Four Rivers posted language stating it operates under Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 452 and not under Deschutes County, and they reported difficulty getting a lasting opt-out option restored after staff told them the earlier form was a "courtesy." Paige Thompson said the phone response felt hostile and that staff told them someone would inspect their property, which the Thompsons said did not occur. "We put up the signs and everything, and they did not abide by that," Paige Thompson told the board.

Gage Thompson said he had attended the district's board meeting and a budget committee meeting and described a recent pattern of resignations on the vector control board — including a member who redacted a financial-related statement and stepped down, followed by two others, leaving family members as the remaining board members. He described this sequence as creating a perception that the district's problems were being resolved by replacing board members rather than addressing governance and financial issues.

Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the complaints and said staff and the board would continue to follow up. "I am engaged with this also, and I've attended some of the board meetings," one commissioner said. The board noted there is an annual statutory meeting required under ORS for vector control districts; staff said another joint session with the vector district is scheduled for the fall. Commissioners encouraged the Thompsons to file a written summary of the concerns so staff could investigate and to contact the three newly appointed board members to make them aware of the opt-out concern.

The Thompsons asked that vector control be under county oversight rather than operating as a separate district that, they said, asserts state-level authority under Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 452. Commissioners and staff clarified the county's role, noting the district is a separate legal entity that operates under state statutes but that the county will pursue governance and transparency issues through oversight meetings and the required fall joint session.

The board did not take any immediate legislative action at the meeting; commissioners asked the residents to submit details in writing so staff can investigate and follow up.