Bend equity commission backs council letter urging PacificSource to keep local interpreter vendor

The Bend Human Rights and Equity Commission voted Dec. 18 to have its support reflected in a City Council letter asking PacificSource to reconsider or preserve local language‑access services provided by the contractor English to Spanish.

Kathy Barguil told the commission that Elizabeth Sanchez (owner of English to Spanish and a former county language‑access coordinator) had asked for support after learning PacificSource plans not to renew the company’s contract for 2026 and instead use an out‑of‑region vendor.

Barguil said English to Spanish is an approved city contractor that has supplied in‑person interpretation for city events and helped host a Central Oregon interpreters conference. Commissioners described the firm’s local role as important for complex and sensitive health‑care encounters and community training.

Commissioner Ruth Vernadico moved that HREC have its support reflected in the council letter; Commissioner Scott Jones seconded the motion and the commission voted by voice (ayes) to add the commission’s endorsement to the council letter.

Kathy said staff will circulate the template letter and the council’s version once it is available; commissioners discussed whether HREC should sign onto the council letter directly or submit a separate letter and asked staff to provide a majority‑vote procedure for formal joint letters at the January meeting.

No monetary action was taken by HREC; the motion was to endorse and be listed on the council letter, not to create an independent contract or spend commission funds.