Votes at a glance: Bend MPO board approves minutes, audit, staffing change and MTIP amendments

The Bend MPO Policy Board approved several routine and programmatic items during its Dec. 20 meeting. All motions passed unanimously.

- Approval of minutes: The board moved to approve the draft minutes from Nov. 15, 2024. Motion maker: Councilor Bridal Mendez. Second: Councilor Chang. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Acceptance of FY 2024 audited financial report: The board voted to accept the MPO's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, as presented by City of Bend finance staff (Moss Adams LLP provided the audit). Motion maker: Councilor Bridal Mendez. Second: Councilor Chang. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Resolution 2024‑07 (staffing): The board adopted Resolution 2024‑07 to increase MPO staffing from 2.8 to 3.0 full‑time equivalent (FTE), a net 0.2 FTE increase that moves one employee from 0.8 to 1.0 FTE. The board was presented an estimated fully loaded cost of about $21,300 for the increase and staff projected a worst‑case personnel overage of roughly $2,000 for the current year that could be covered by existing materials and services savings or contingency. Motion maker: Councilor Bridal Mendez. Second: (Mr.) Ahmed. Outcome: approved unanimously.

- Amendments to the 2024–2027 MTIP: The board approved four amendments to the metropolitan transportation improvement program, covering three transit projects and one county project (the county item incorporated SS4A grant funding for a Transportation System Action Plan update). The public comment period was opened Nov. 21 and closed with no public comments received. Motion maker: Councilor Bridal Mendez. Second: Omar. Outcome: approved unanimously.

Meeting minutes and the related staff reports list these items in the agenda packet and record the motions and unanimous outcomes.