Inside Deschutes County

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Tanya Saltzman, Senior Planner with Deschutes County Community Development, joins us to talk about the Terrebonne Community Plan. She explains how the plan guides future growth in Terrebonne, what priorities have been identified through community input, and how those ideas are translated into policies and development standards.

In this episode, Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison joins us to share 10 things voters should know ahead of the May 19 Primary Election. We talk about why this election is getting extra attention in Deschutes County, including the move from three to five county commissioners and how those seats will be filled. Steve also walks through key dates and deadlines, what else will appear on the ballot and where voters can find reliable election information.

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, new Fair & Expo Director Jeff Curtis joins the podcast for a conversation recorded shortly after his arrival in Central Oregon. He shares his background in event and venue management and what drew him to Deschutes County. Jeff also talks about his vision for the future of Fair & Expo, including opportunities to grow events, strengthen partnerships and build on the facility’s role as a year-round community asset.

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell reflects on his career in public service and the evolution of Deschutes County’s solid waste system as he prepares for retirement. The conversation covers how the system works day to day, key milestones during his tenure, and the challenges of managing waste for a growing community. Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how local waste management affects daily life and the long-term planning needed to keep the system running effectively.

In this episode of Inside Deschutes County, Ben Duda, Emergency Manager with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, explains how the County prepares for winter storms, wildfires and other large-scale incidents. Even when winter is slow to begin, planning and coordination continue behind the scenes to keep the community ready. The discussion also covers how alerts and warnings are issued and practical steps community members can take to stay informed and prepared.