Tony DeBone seeks reelection

Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone is seeking reelection to the Position 1 seat he's held since 2011.

DeBone sees his role as shaping policy toward good jobs and stable, thriving homes.

"The goal is an affordable community," he told The Nugget.

To that end, DeBone sees a key in diversifying the economy and working to attract traded-sector businesses with good-paying jobs.

"That's what brings capacity to our community," he said, allowing families to stay in Central Oregon with the prospect of "housing, healthcare and a future."

DeBone says that he will continue to work to support EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon) and local chambers of commerce in their efforts to attract businesses, including collaborating on land-use policy.

DeBone recognizes the housing pressures that have impacted affordability of the area for all residents, particularly working people. He believes that county-owned lands could potentially be a resource for affordable housing, and notes that there is some momentum at the state level for loosening restrictions on accessory dwelling units, which could create some lower-cost housing options in the county.

"We need to figure out how to set the table for starter homes," he said.

The two-term commissioner from La Pine is satisfied with the level of regulation the county has established regarding cannabis production, especially in the wake of increased enforcement on illegal operations.

"I support 'em," he said. "I voted for 'em."

"Tweaks" to regulations will, he believes, alleviate some concerns of rural residents.

"We're not going to allow a block of growers to buy a bunch of properties together," he said. "That's probably one of the most tangible things that we've changed."

DeBone defended the county's approach to staff compensation, noting that the county negotiates with represented professional groups.

"We've got a very professional history with negotiations," he said. "Public employees are paid well for their service to the public. We pay professionals a professional wage."

He says that he conceives of fiscal responsibility as providing "cost-effective services for all the services" the county provides and emphasizes the importance of inculcating a "culture of service" and a "professional environment."

He noted that the community development department was reduced by about 75 percent during the recession that hammered the region starting in 2008, and the county has been engaged in the process over a period of a year in reconstructing that staff.

"We're in the spot where we still need to add capacity," he said.

DeBone said that he is pleased that the county has built $3 million in capital reserves for future construction needs, which will include a new courthouse, a public safety campus and facilities for public health. He said that the more that is saved for such projects the less the future burden upon taxpayers to deliver on such projects.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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