Deschutes County commissioners plan to replace 5 resigned La Pine Park & Rec board members; applicants sought
(Update: Adding county news release)
They have no authority to untangle fiscal mess, lift Oct. 20 terminations
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County commissioners agreed Monday to move as swiftly as possible to appoint fill-in replacements for all five recently resigned La Pine Park and Recreation District Board members -- hopefully next week - as staff advised their state-granted authority goes no further.
That means they cannot undo or change that board’s final act, which was to terminate all park district staff, effective next Sunday.
That frustrated Commissioner Phil Chang (and no doubt many others).
“This situation is a mess,” he said. “If we don’t dig to the bottom of those issues and understand what’s going on, we cannot effectively appoint board members who can resolve those issues.”
Under the board-approved fast timeline, the county will announce in a Tuesday news release they will be accepting applications (with resumes, letters of interest) through Sunday, at the email address lapineparks@deschutes.org – so the board can start reviewing them Monday, with plans to conduct interviews next Wednesday, Oct. 23.
Commissioner Patti Adair said, “I think it’s important we get those people who are stepping up to assume the responsibility of appointed (board members) – the sooner the better for them.” But she also said they had heard great interest of those willing to serve: “There’s a lot of care out there.”
Commissioner Tony DeBone acknowledged the information given by Terilynn Myers-Newcomb, the La Pine Park & Rec Board clerk since 2010, went over the district’s origins and history and said the park district has had very little money to work with between the July 1 start of a fiscal budget year and when property tax revenues start to flow in November.
DeBone noted the many needs beyond board members, from those who could serve on crucial budget or finance committees, among others.
DeBone spoke to us about what's needed: “Getting five board members to work together, because you can have varying opinions, wildly different opinions, but you get to a vote, do the people's work. I do support getting some kind of a director or manager in there to take a look at the daily operations.”
La Pine resident Crystal Morales said, “I would just like to see them come up with a board sooner rather than later. We all want things to happen sooner rather than later. We have children that are being affected. We have employees that are being affected.”
Another resident, Renee Carpenter, was hoping the board could do more and take quick action: “It would have been nice to revoke the layoffs that the previous board members had given. Unfortunately, that is not an option.”
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Deschutes County news release:
County Commissioners announce process to appoint new La Pine Park & Recreation District board members
On Monday, Oct. 14, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners outlined the process it will use to fill vacancies on the La Pine Park & Recreation District Board following the resignation of all five board members.
The La Pine Park & Recreation District Board oversees recreational activities and programs in La Pine and the surrounding unincorporated communities in southern Deschutes County. The district is a separate governmental entity and has no affiliation with the county, but state law (ORS 198.320) requires that the Board of County Commissioners promptly fill the positions since the governing body’s membership is now fully vacant.
Commissioners approved a selection process that includes having individuals interested in serving on the district board to submit a letter of interest and resume via email to lapineparks@deschutes.org. The application period opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and closes at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 20. Commissioners will review the applications on Monday, Oct. 21 and Tuesday, Oct. 22, then conduct interviews on Wednesday, Oct. 23 and make direct appointments to all five positions.
Pursuant to the state law, individuals appointed to the La Pine Park & Recreation District Board will serve until the term expires June 30, 2025. The new appointees may choose to run for the office during the next regular district election in May 2025.
The public is invited to attend the Board of Commissioners meeting in person or virtually as they discuss applicants and make their appointments. Board meeting agendas and virtual log in information can be found at www.deschutes.org/meetings.
