The task force looking at how Bend picks its mayor thinks the current system is probably the best. It was recommended the City look at electing instead of the Council appointing its mayor. But task force member and former Bend Mayor Bruce Abernathy says they were all in agreement on what works best: “In all honesty, the conclusion of the group was that the system was not broken. There wasn't enough compelling enough reason to change. And actually some of the risks associated with electing the mayor was it was possible to pick a mayor who hadn't served on the City Council and the group thought that was a negative.” The task force will report back to the City Council on July 20th.  The Council is expected to accept the task force's recommendation to continue appointing the mayor.