Inside Deschutes County

It's a busy time of year at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center.  We talk to Director Geoff Hinds about the events headed our way, how concert performers are chosen at the fair and discuss the economic impact of it all.  

A new transfer facility, new recycling diversion standards and another step toward a new landfill location.  There's lots happening in the world of solid waste.  We spend some time with Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell to explain it all.

The May 21, 2024 Primary Election is upon us. Your last day to register is April 30 and ballots are going out soon. County Clerk Steve Dennison walks us through all the nuances in this special Primary Election Preview.

The end of the school year is right around the corner, so it's a great time to talk to Aimee Snyder, the supervisor of the Healthy Schools program. Hear about the innovative partnership with Bend-La Pine Schools, the inspiring success stories and where the program goes from here.

On this episode, we talk to Road Department Director, Chris Doty and Senior Transportation Planner, Tarik Rawlings about the latest developments on the Transportation System Plan. Find out about the projects that will be worked on, where the money comes from and how they're prioritized.

As we mark one year since the launch of the Inside Deschutes County podcast, we welcome County Commissioner Patti Adair. We discuss Measure 110, funding for the Stabilization Center, nitrate concerns in South County and much more.

Episode 22 is now live!  Oregon DEQ is offering free well water testing in southern Deschutes County as part of a groundwater quality study.  Antony Vorobyov from DEQ stops by the studio to talk about why they're collecting the samples.

Winter is not quite done with us yet.  In this episode, we talk to Michael Johnston who leads the SkidCar Training program with Deschutes County.  He talks about the class, the vehicle used and what the hardest thing is for people to learn when it comes to sliding on the roads.

Bonus episode!  School Exclusion Day is Feb. 21.  We chat with Deschutes County Health Officer, Dr. Richard Fawcett, and Immunization Coordinator, Sarah Van Meter, about what parents need to know.

David Doyle, in-house legal counsel for Deschutes County, discusses his various responsibilities.  Plus, we talk about his experience with Johnnie Cochran, his love of the Pittsburgh Pirates and his many ties.

Deschutes County serves approximately 7,000 veterans.  From helping with benefits to coping with trauma, Veterans Services Officer, Keith Macnamara talks about the extreme need in Central Oregon.

As of Dec. 1, 2023, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can be permitted in certain zones in rural Deschutes County. But there are key steps that must be followed. We dive into the latest on the ADU process with Associate Planner Kyle Collins.

In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Community Justice Director Deevy Holcomb and Juvenile Detention Manager Rob Gilman about parole, probation, detention and successful outcomes.

Property Management can sometimes find itself in the middle of some of the County's biggest stories. We discuss some of those and the department's other focus areas with Property Manager Kristie Bollinger.

In this episode, we speak with Senior Planner Tanya Saltzman about proposed new rules to let property owners rent out RVs.

Bonus episode!  Road Department Director Chris Doty talks about annual road closings, how his team prioritizes which areas of the County to plow first and his beard!

Deschutes County Assessor Scot Langton talks about this busy time of year for his office and why property taxes can be difficult to understand.

With the Nov. 7 Special Election right around the corner, we check in with County Clerk Steve Dennison to discuss all things elections. He also reveals a contest for the kids and discusses his Halloween decoration strategy!

Dr. Richard Fawcett and Emily Horton from Public Health join the Inside Deschutes County podcast to answer important questions as we head into cold and flu season. They also discuss changes with the COVID vaccine and what people should do to stay healthy.

Switching from task to task quickly, thinking outside the box to solve problems and serving our community all at the same time.  It's a challenging job to answer calls for help but one that has its rewards.  On this episode, we speak to Recruiting and Training Manager Megan Craig and Dispatcher Chad Hicks about life at Deschutes County 9-1-1.

They like to stay behind the scenes, but their work is front and center across Deschutes County.  We talk to Facilities Director Lee Randall about the big projects happening now and just how he and his teams keep everything running so smoothly.

Wildfires and smoke are having an impact on Central Oregon. This month, we talk to Emergency Services Coordinator, Ashley Volz and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Carissa Heinige about how you can keep yourself and loved ones safe and informed.

There's so much that goes into the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo, but in Episode 6, we talk to Rodeo Director Roxia Thornton and performer JD Platt about what goes into their respective shows and why they do what they do.  It's a fun conversation as we head into the start of the Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo this week!

With the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo just days away, we talk to Fair Director, Geoff Hinds and Commissioner Patti Adair about what to expect this year. Plus, they share their favorite memories of attending the fair.

The word "audit" has a certain reputation. However, in this episode we talk about the extreme value of audits and why they're not as scary as some people might think.  We speak with County Internal Auditor David Givans and Performance Auditor Aaron Kay about how they use their skills to help employees and community members alike.