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Deschutes County commissioners set 2026 priorities on housing, courthouse completion and public safety
Summary
At a one-day retreat, Deschutes County commissioners flagged housing affordability, homelessness response, courthouse completion and public-safety campus planning as top priorities for 2026, and instructed staff to invite five departments for detailed budget briefings.
Deschutes County commissioners used a strategic retreat on Jan. 17 to set spending and policy priorities for 2026, emphasizing housing affordability, homelessness response, courthouse completion and planning for public-safety facilities.
The retreat opened with a round-robin of commissioner priorities. One commissioner recounted earlier courthouse funding wins, saying, “We got 15,000,000 for the courthouse,” and urged scheduling joint meetings so all nine judges can attend as the county prepares to occupy new courthouse space later this year. Commissioners raised concern about local property-tax increases and their impact on renters and affordability, noting property-tax bills have “doubled” over the past decade.
Why it matters: Commissioners said these priorities will guide department budget requests and staffing plans. Staff outlined a process that will invite up to five departments—health services, solid waste, assessor, community development and the sheriff—to give focused briefings to inform the budget. The county intends to use one-day and follow-up sessions to translate these priorities into budget requests and possible capital proposals.
Commissioners discussed housing strategies that have relied on one-time federal funding and county-owned land to subsidize development. Officials said American Rescue Plan investments helped produce dozens of units and urged exploring long-term local funding tools—tax abatements, land donations and low-interest loans—to keep producing affordable units. Commissioners also discussed managed outdoor shelter and interim “rungs on the ladder” to help people transition into permanent housing.
Court and public safety matters were also prominent. Commissioners noted bond proceeds due in spring for a Redmond area public-safety facility and discussed siting constraints near the airport. Several members emphasized the need to coordinate land use, funding and recruitment for new department leadership, including a planned hire for the solid-waste director.
What’s next: Staff will convene the identified departments this afternoon to dive into budget drivers and service delivery needs. The board scheduled a follow-up work session to refine goals and incorporate departmental feedback into the draft budget.
