BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners are split on what to do with people living on 137 acres in southeast Redmond. The county-owned parcel is part of a land swap with the state. But the deal, in the works for about 20 years, can't proceed until campers and trash are cleared off. 

Commissioners want to create an alternative site on a nearby 45-acre lot also owned by the county. Deputy County Administrator Erik Kropp told them Monday a sanctioned camp must adhere to Redmond's code, which includes fencing and fire restrictions, "And then there must be some on-site presence. The responsible entity must be able to accept and respond to calls during business hours, they also must designate someone to respond to after-hours emergencies. There shall be a code of conduct."

Commissioners Phil Chang and Patti Adair voted Monday to move forward with searching for an organization to operate a supported or managed camp, which would be prepared with infrastructure like gravel and fencing. But Commissioner Tony DeBone wanted a less structured approach, "I think it just got way too complicated; we're going to spend way too much money. We should start with a very simple plan, ask people to move. Getting somebody to move from one location to another is a huge, monumental task in itself. And if you practice that, you can get some momentum on this."

Redmond City Manager Keith Witcosky told Commissioners his City Council will only support a plan that provides structure, with enforcable rules, "We want to create something safe and secure for the people servicing, for the people that are going to be living out there. And, that's where the structure comes in. So that ideally we can come up with a model that can be replicated in other places, as well."

DeBone continued to push back at Monday's meeting, "I think we just stepped into the quicksand and it's going to cost us time and money." To which Chang replied, "I would say that if you look at what has actually worked in homelessness response in our region, what has actually helped reduce homelessness--" DeBone cut him off, saying, "We haven't seen anything successful anywhere." Adair disagreed, "The Veterans Village has been phenomenal; Oasis Village is working." 

DeBone went on to say, "We have wildfires starting all around us, we have unsanctioned camping all around us. We're helping 5-10% of the people at a time. Yes, it's very successful at the Veterans Village; it's exciting for the people in those cabins. Oasis Village, it's wonderful for the people that are in there. We still have 100% problem and we're going to try and take another small bit out of it. It's going to be very expensive; it's going to be quicksand." Chang responded, "Well, the only reason that homelessness has declined in the Redmond area and in the Bend area is because of those very complicated, very expensive solutions."

Once a space is set up to accommodate unhoused campers, officials estimate it will take nine to 10 months to clear the 137 acres. DeBone believes that timeframe is too long and wants a faster process to complete the state deal, which will result in more acres for the County Fairgrounds. 

Map: The county-owned 137 acres involved in the state land swap is highlighted in blue.