Residents urge more public engagement as Deschutes County debates new district map

Several residents used the public-comment period at the Dec. 17 Deschutes County Board of Commissioners meeting to press the board for clearer public outreach and to question the process that produced the advisory committee’s proposed district map (referred to in public comment as “map C”). Lynn Connolly told commissioners the mapping process has been “extremely partisan” and urged them to prioritize county business over internal maneuvers; she recommended rotating the commission chairmanship to Commissioner Chang in 2026 to restore bipartisanship.

Pete Shepherd, who said he will return with documents and a legal-cost estimate, framed the county’s choice in the context of Lane County’s recent legal and political controversy over mid-cycle redistricting. Shepherd described split precincts and heavy campaign spending during a Lane County referral and said he will present records and an estimate of likely court costs if the county adopts the contested map.

Jim Barnett, a Sisters Country resident, urged the board to discard map C and to seek more public input before drawing districts, arguing the change from at‑large elections to district-based representation was not adequately explained to voters. He warned that separating Bend from the rest of the county could create a perceived rural/urban divide and reduce collaboration among communities.

Board members took no formal vote during the public-comment period. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and asked staff to continue public outreach and to bring materials and process timelines back to the board during upcoming hearings.

What’s next: several commenters said they will submit more information to the county and return to the public hearing schedule; the board signaled interest in additional public engagement before making final decisions on any map adoption.