07/15/2026 - Board of Commissioners - Wednesday Meeting

The Board of Commissioners held a meeting on July 15, 2026, primarily focused on the proposed establishment of county commissioner districts through a ballot measure. The meeting included extensive public comment expressing concerns about the districting map, citing issues such as potential gerrymandering, legal challenges, and fiscal impacts estimated at over $250,000 in litigation costs. Several speakers urged the board to delay or reconsider the districting proposal, emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and less partisan process. The board discussed and made edits to the ballot title and measure text, including wording changes from "adopt" to "establish" and clarifications on geographic descriptions of districts. A motion was made and seconded to approve the revised ballot title language, with plans to finalize the explanatory statement in a future meeting. Additionally, the board approved the first reading of an ordinance (2026-013) for a zone change from surface mining to rural industrial for a property near Redmond, Oregon. The meeting also included brief updates on local economic development and construction projects. Overall, the session was marked by significant debate over the districting measure's language and implications, with a focus on ensuring accurate and legally sound ballot materials.