Redmond to contribute $30,000 to keep regional stabilization center open 24/7

The Redmond City Council agreed to help keep a regional behavioral-health stabilization center open 24 hours a day by joining an intergovernmental funding arrangement, city and police officials said.

"Our stabilization center has been great for us since it opened. We use them quite often," Devin Lewis, identified in the meeting as chief of police, told the council. Lewis said the center requested extra funding after it lost some Deschutes County grant support, and the proposed IGA will fund a nighttime staff position so the facility can continue 24/7 operations for the next year.

Under the agreement described to the council, the city of Bend will contribute $60,000, Redmond will contribute $30,000 and the Deschutes County sheriff’s office will add $30,000. Lewis said the immediate goal is to preserve around-the-clock services while the center seeks more permanent financing.

Why it matters: Police and city staff said the stabilization center is a preferred alternative to jail or emergency-room holds for people in crisis and that having a staffed facility available overnight improves response options for officers and service access for residents.

Councilors did not debate the substance of the funding split at length during the announcements portion of the meeting. City staff said the partners hope to identify longer-term revenue streams to sustain operations beyond the one-year commitment.

The council moved on to regular business after the briefing; staff said they will continue to report to the council as funding plans develop.