MPO keeps staffing and reserves allocations, defers how Bend's share will be used

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization policy board on March 21 voted to keep proposed allocations for MPO staffing, required planning reserves and the competitive project application program for fiscal years 2028–2030, and deferred a final decision about how the city of Bend's remaining share of State Highway Fund (SHF) dollars should be used.

MPO staff told the board the agency has accumulated earned interest from federal COVID-era funds and is building an operational reserve after the board in 2023 agreed to set aside $80,000 per year in FY25–FY27. Tyler Deaky, Bend MPO staff, said finance staff recommended the board "review the available interest at the beginning of each fiscal year and then ask the board at that time" before programming interest funds.

Why it matters: the MPO's discretionary SHF allocation will be smaller beginning in FY2028, and the board must pick how to split those dollars among street preservation, a competitive grant program, MPO staffing and reserves. That choice affects the City of Bend's pavement-preservation budget and whether more discretionary MPO money is directed to safety and low-stress bikeways instead of pavement treatments.

What the board heard

MPO staff presented three reserve categories: an operational reserve (the $80,000-per-year item started in FY25), an "awarded…