Redmond schools send renewal bond to Nov. ballot; Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation to decide on first measure

(Update: Adding video, comments from Redmond Schools Board Chair and DSWCD district manager)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- The Redmond School District has sent a $97.7 million bond measure to the Nov. 5 ballot to fund needed projects, Meanwhile, the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District may join them on the ballot in a first money measure by the organization.

"Our funding for schools does not come from the state. It comes from bonds -the bonds are for building," Redmond School Board Chair Michael Summers said Tuesday. "So what we have right now is about $300 million worth of repairs that we have prioritized down into about $97 million that are things we need to do, to maintain what we have and to make sure that we don't have catastrophic fail."

The soil and water district, meanwhile, is proposing a property tax measure with a rate of 8 cents per $1,000 in assessed value to help fund the growing conservation programs with the agency.

"This would allow us to really increase our capacity as a district," said Erin KilCullen, district manager for DSWCD, said Tuesday. "This would allow us to leverage this funding for additional funding, it also would really get projects on the ground."

The conservation district says it polled more than 400 constituents over the past month to determine what voters' priorities are. The majority came back with two answers, to address water conservation and wildfire risk. The district board will decide soon whether to send the proposal to the November ballot.

"No matter your feelings towards it, its a need," KilCullen said. "It's apparent through the drought that helping private lands and all community members throughout Deschutes County is beneficial to everyone, whether or not it is your land."

The Redmond School District is renewing a bond passed in 2021. It's the second phase of their construction plan to improve schools across the district and make badly needed upgrades at Redmond High School. It would raise a total of $97.7 million if passed.

The last day to register for the November election is Oct. 15.