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Board backs authorization for county administrator to finalize managed-camp contract with 1st Light
Summary
Deschutes County staff described a 36-site managed camp in Redmond and a draft two-year, $400,000 contract with service provider 1st Light to deliver on-site case management, daily staffing and security; the board authorized the county administrator to execute the agreement pending final edits, though the transcript does not record a full roll-call tally.
Deschutes County staff told commissioners on Aug. 3 that a planned 36-site managed camp in Redmond will include drinking water supplied by the city, portable toilets, a central cooking area with electricity, security patrols and on-site case management aimed at helping participants transition out of homelessness. Deputy County Administrator Eric Croft said the draft contract with 1st Light would provide daily on-site staff, reporting to the county, and support services such as pet management and neighbor relations.
"The 1st Light contract is a total of $400,000 over the 2 year period," Croft said, describing the proposed operating budget and staff hours. He said the county has identified $500,000 in reprogrammed ARPA funds across two years, with an initial $250,000 available, and that the city of Redmond has set aside CPPT funds (about $38,686) and some CDBG funds may be requested for year two.
Commissioners discussed operational details including security hours, coordination with the Redmond outreach worker, and participant selection. Staff recommended a phased opening to fill 5–7 sites initially, adding more each week, and proposed a prioritization list that first offers sites to people on designated county lands and then to Redmond safe-parking participants, county residents experiencing homelessness and, finally, regional placements.
One commissioner raised concerns about ongoing county operational responsibility and the fairness of hosting urban overflow on rural county land, noting there are no reoccurring funds to cover long-term operations. Other commissioners stressed that the managed camp would provide needed services to people currently camping on county parcels and praised the collaborative work by local service groups co-designing the site.
A motion was made on the floor to authorize the county administrator to sign the 1st Light contract (contract number 2026-565) once final, non-material edits are resolved. The contract in the packet was described as a draft; staff asked authority to finalize signature unless material changes are required. The accessible transcript does not contain a complete roll-call tally; staff said legal review is ongoing.
