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Deschutes County public hearing draws heated debate over proposed Map C for commissioner districts
Summary
At a packed hearing, dozens of residents urged and opposed the DMACC-recommended 'Map C' for five commissioner districts. Supporters said districts protect rural representation; opponents called the map gerrymandered, raised legal challenges and flagged potential litigation costs. Commissioners will deliberate tomorrow.
Deschutes County commissioners heard more than two hours of public comment Wednesday on a proposed five-district map, known as Map C, that would change how the county elects its expanded Board of County Commissioners.
County staff told the audience the process began after voters approved Measure 9-173 in November 2024 to increase the commission from three to five members. Jen Patterson, Deschutes County strategic initiatives manager, told the board the DMACC (District Mapping Advisory Committee) was formed by the commission in May and met roughly 10 times to consider maps and public input. “On 03/31/2025, the Board of County Commissioners voted to initiate the process of drafting commissioner district maps for voters to consider in 2026,” Patterson said.
Map C, the DMACC’s majority recommendation, was described by Patterson as the committee’s preferred option. She said the committee also recommended a random process to number districts and that, if voters…
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