The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) has appointed seven community members to serve on the county’s District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC). This committee will draft a commissioner district map, which will first be considered by the Board before being put to Deschutes County voters as a ballot measure in 2026.
Commissioner Chair Tony DeBone appointed two committee members: Bernie Brader and Ned Dempsey. Brader, an Air Force veteran, has lived in La Pine for more than 20 years. In his career, he has worked in industrial water treatment and, outside of work, he serves on the La Pine Frontier Days board, participates in the Ponderosa Mountain Men and is president of the La Pine RC Fliers. Dempsey, a resident of Bend since 1973 and a licensed professional engineer, founded Century West Engineering Corporation, which is based in Deschutes County. He serves on several boards and committees, including the Deschutes County Solid Waste Committee, the Oregon Sustainability Board, and the High Desert Museum Board of Directors.
Commissioner Patti Adair appointed two committee members: Matt Cyrus and Phil Henderson. Cyrus, a sixth-generation Oregon Farmer, resides in the community of Cloverdale. He is president of the Deschutes County Farm Bureau and chairman of the Deschutes County Planning Commission. Henderson grew up in Hood River working in his family’s fruit orchards. He has lived in Bend since 1989, where he has worked as a private attorney, general contractor, and served as a Deschutes County Commissioner from 2017 to 2020.
Commissioner Phil Chang appointed three committee members: Andrew Kaza, Carol Loesche, and Melanie Kebler. Kaza, a resident of Redmond, has owned and operated the Sisters Movie House and Cafe since 2016. He serves as co-chair of the Independent Party of Oregon. Loesche has lived in Bend for eight years, works part-time, and enjoys volunteering in the community. She is a longtime member of the League of Women Voters and previously served as president of the Deschutes County League. Kebler, who grew up in Bend, has spent her career working as an attorney working for the public. She currently serves as the mayor of Bend, with her term ending in 2026.
Last November, voters approved Ballot Measure 9-173, which expands the Board of County Commissioners from three to five members, with two new commissioners to be elected at-large in 2026. In response, the BOCC agreed to appoint a citizen advisory committee to draft district map representing each commissioner position, moving away from five at-large positions. If the BOCC—and ultimately the voters—approve the DMAC’s recommended map, the new districts would be in place for each election of commissioners, beginning in 2028.
Following their confirmation of the DMAC appointees on Wednesday, July 23, the BOCC reviewed and provided recommendations to the committee’s guidelines. The DMAC will hold an orientation meeting in August and will meet weekly from early September to mid-November as necessary. Facilitated by Neil Bryant and supported by a county project management team, the committee will draft district map following specific criteria.
DMAC meetings will be open to the public, and community members are encouraged to participate in person or virtually, providing input during designated public comment periods. The meeting locations, agendas and virtual login information will be available online at deschutes.org/meetings.
A District Mapping Advisory Committee website is currently being developed and will be available soon at deschutes.org.
