Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bend public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
21 issues with medium priority
Animal sheltering services agreement
A five-year sole source agreement, up to $550,000 total, keeps the Humane Society of Central Oregon providing animal sheltering and impoundment services for the city.
City–Park District Shared Framework
Bend and the park district are formalizing how they collaborate on shared values and facilities. The framework returns October 7 as a resolution, with future work including updated intergovernmental agreements.
Sign code amendments
Proposed sign code updates would simplify permitting but expand illuminated signs, clashing with the city's dark-sky interests. Business groups support the flexibility; the Bend Night Sky Alliance warns of growing light pollution. Council deadlocked 3-3 and will revisit.
Century West neighborhood district revival
After a grassroots effort led by Jenny Sutton, the Century West neighborhood gets its association back — restoring representation in city programs and a seat at the neighborhood round table.
Development Infrastructure Requirements
Final adoption of BMC Chapter 12.10 changes updates how the city charges developers for growth-related infrastructure.
Lonza enterprise zone tax exemption
The city handed Lonza a ten-year property tax exemption on a $251 million lab expansion in exchange for 81 jobs paying at least 150% of county average wage and school support payments in the extended years.
Bend Central District conceptual plan
BURA kicked off a 12-18 month conceptual planning process for the BCD with heavy public outreach, and Perkins wants a First Street civic center/council chambers included.
Greenwood Avenue quick-build results
A year of data shows the Greenwood quick-build is working as designed: slower speeds, more people walking and biking, and about 8-10 seconds of added drive time. Staff won't collect more data until the Franklin Avenue and Hawthorne Bridge projects reshape traffic.
Bond/Reed Market roundabout and SDC list
The council added the Bond/Reed Market roundabout widening to the SDC project list and hired HDR for design, moving the safety project up a couple of years.
North Mirror Pond parking and event space
A scaled-back $5 million downtown parking lot and event space will use the CM/GC delivery method to hit a tight timeline; some councilors worry about losing downtown parking.
Vacancy tax exploration
A resident urged the city or county to charge a fee on Bend's roughly 5,000 vacant or second homes, calling them an economic drain on neighborhoods. No council action was taken.
Small Business Assistance Grant Program
The Urban Renewal Agency is developing micro, small-business, and pre-development loan programs to close financing gaps for newer and underserved businesses in TIF areas, addressing approval disparities for minority- and young firms. Councilors were supportive; details come back later this year.
South Awbrey Butte stormwater drainage problem
Coring found solid basalt up to 200 feet down on Awbrey Butte, so planned dry wells won't work. Staff are redesigning with surface improvements and possibly land acquisition, aided by $2 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund principal forgiveness.
Business license fee increase paused
The 10% business license fee increase is on hold until January 2027 so the city can rework the fee structure, costing the city about $22,500. A coffee shop owner said fee increases were nearly driving her business to Redmond.
housing crisis / GIS technology
Bend is using GIS mapping to make smarter zoning and planning decisions as it grapples with a housing crisis. It’s behind-the-scenes tech that helps shape where homes get built—and that can affect housing costs over time. If you care about housing, this is worth watching.
Digester 4 and Hauled Waste Project
A ~$115M fourth digester and regional hauled-waste facility at the water reclamation plant, needed by 2030 when the current hauled-waste contractor leaves the industry. Council approved the fast-track CM/GC delivery method.
Point-in-Time Count shows homelessness declining
Mayor Pro Tem Perkins reported a 16% drop in Bend's homeless count, 14% countywide, and 19% regionally, crediting state investment and service providers — but noting 187 homeless people under 25 and 59 veterans remain.
Water Quality Report
Bend just dropped its annual water quality report, and it's basically a checkup for what's coming out of your tap. Give it a skim to see if the city's system is actually holding up or if there's anything worth worrying about.
Pilot Butte Canal Historic District preservation
Two residents who live along the canal urged the council to resist Central Oregon Irrigation District plans to pipe the canal, which they say would damage the historic district and raise legal questions about easements across private property.
Bend Bikeway expansion
Bend's VEO bike share has logged 45,000 trips and 75,000 miles, and two new mobility hubs are planned at SE Third/Norton and Robal Road using a carbon reduction grant — plus a bigger CET hub at Cascade Village.
Short-term rentals in neighborhood commercial zones
A city-initiated amendment would force five leftover Neighborhood Commercial properties to follow residential STR rules — Type II review, 500-foot spacing, one STR per property — effectively blocking three of them. Neighbors support it; property owners say they invested millions relying on the old rules.