April 2026 Bend WAG Meeting Recording

The City of Bend, Oregon held a Water Advisory Group (WAG) meeting on April 6, 2026, focusing primarily on stormwater management challenges related to increasing residential density and drainage. The discussion centered on policy updates for neighborhood-scale stormwater facilities, including the proposal for publicly owned and maintained combined stormwater systems in subdivisions to improve efficiency and reduce individual lot burdens. The group explored options for infill development stormwater management, recognizing the limited space on small lots and the need for new tools to address runoff issues. Funding and maintenance responsibilities were key topics, with acknowledgment that increased public maintenance would likely require higher stormwater utility rates. The meeting also touched on potential use of System Development Charges (SDCs) and fee-in-lieu mechanisms for capital improvements, though these would not cover maintenance costs. Participants emphasized the importance of clear easements or plat restrictions to ensure proper stormwater management on subdivided lots and discussed the challenges of encouraging developers to adopt neighborhood-scale facilities. No formal votes were recorded, but the meeting served as a detailed stakeholder engagement session to refine stormwater policy and funding strategies ahead of future rate studies and implementation efforts.