Would a bigger, five-member Deschutes County Commission be better? Voters get to make the call this fall
![Deschutes County Board of Commissioners' dais may need to make room for two more - if voters say yes in November.](https://ktvz.b-cdn.net/2024/03/Deschutes-County-Board-of-Commissioners.jpg)
(Update: Adding video, comments from Heylin and Commissioner Adair)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)— The citizen initiative to expand the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners from three to five members has officially received enough signatures to appear on the November ballot.
According to John Heylin, who created the initiative and Deschutes Represents campaign, they gathered nearly 7,000 signatures before the August 7th deadline, and county Clerk Steve Dennison confirmed recently they made the ballot as Measure 9-173.
County Commissioner Phil Chang has shared his support for the expansion in recent months, highlighting budget issues that he believes have come from a small commission. But Commissioners Patti Adair and Tony DeBone have said the initiative is unnecessary due to the size of the county.
Isabella Warren is speaking with Heylin and Adair to learn what November could look like. Her report tonight on NewsChannel 21 on Fox at Four.