At a glance: Deschutes County adopts building code changes, labor agreement and several contracts; first readings and votes summarized

The Board of Deschutes County Commissioners handled multiple motions and votes during its Jan. 28 meeting. Key actions: consent agenda approval; first reading on a county code cleanup to allow the county fee schedule to set real property recording fees (Ordinance No. 2026‑003 — first reading approved); adoption of an amendment to clerk office hours (Ordinance No. 2026‑001 adopted); approval of a collective bargaining agreement for Black Butte Ranch Police Service District (county document 2026‑004); authorization for Redmond Fire & Rescue to contract with Alfalfa Fire District for basic life support non‑emergency airport transports; and emergency adoption of wildfire mitigation residential building‑code standards (Ordinance No. 2026‑002 effective 2026‑04‑01).

Board votes and formal actions (selected):

- Consent agenda: Motion moved and seconded; passed (unanimous). (SEG 169–183)

- Ordinance No. 2026‑003 (amend county code re: recording fees): Public hearing opened and closed; first reading approved by motion. Staff noted the change aligns county code with recent state law delegation and would allow the county fee schedule to set the fee (proposed move from $10 to $14 next fiscal year). (SEG 184–324)

- Ordinance No. 2026‑001 (county clerk hours): Second reading and adoption approved; board voted unanimously to adopt. (SEG 327–372)

- Black Butte Ranch Police Service District collective bargaining agreement (County Document No. 2026‑004, FY2025–2027): Chief Todd Rich summarized negotiated changes (10% salary increase year‑1; 5% year‑2; HRA health contributions; PIO duty assignment; added holidays and LTD). Commissioners acknowledged levy context and voted to approve the contract. (SEG 1501–1671)

- Redmond Fire & Rescue intergovernmental contract with Alfalfa Fire District: Board authorized Redmond Fire to enter contract to provide surge capacity for nonemergency airport transports; motion moved/seconded and approved. (SEG 1699–1896)

- Ordinance No. 2026‑002 (wildfire mitigation building codes): Following staff presentation and discussion of implementation (vent screens and product availability), the board adopted the ordinance by emergency with an effective date of April 1, 2026 (unanimous vote). (SEG 4234–4381)

- Ordinance No. 2026‑004 (BCL LLC plan amendment & zone change): Second reading moved and adopted by the board after previous deliberations; votes recorded. (SEG 4425–4496)

Why it matters: these actions affect county code (fee and clerk operations), public safety staffing and compensation, emergency medical transport protocols, and new building standards intended to reduce wildfire risk for new residential construction. The emergency adoption of wildfire mitigation standards was unanimous and establishes an April 1 effective date to align local code with annual state building code updates.

Sources: staff presentations, commissioners’ motions and recorded roll‑call votes at the Jan. 28 meeting (transcript and staff reports).