Your Priorities Are
My Priorities.

What is a County Commissioner?

County Commissioners oversee services, policies, and public funds for our people, lands, and waters. The County needs to be consistent and equitable in providing services and responsive to emerging community needs.

 

Housing

 

We have a housing crisis in Deschutes County. This is a stunning place to live, work, and play - but none of it can happen without our people. Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that can support local businesses, families, communities, and our Central Oregon way of life.

How can the county help?

  • Contribute land for affordable and workforce housing development

  • Track short term rentals in the unincorporated county to make sure Transient Room Tax is accounted for, then prioritize those funds for housing

  • Explore incentives for long term rentals and deed restrictions

  • Develop Rural ADU codes that encourage long term housing

  • Expedite permitting for workforce housing (especially in resort areas)

 

Homelessness/ Houselessness

 

Every year, more and more people are experiencing homelessness in Deschutes County. None of us want people living in tents on the street or in the forest; no one wants to “become Portland.” The only way that will happen is if we do nothing. So we must take action with data-driven, proven approaches that will actually help decrease homelessness and help folks get back on their feet.

Morgan has years of experience as a pastor and leader of Pandemic Partners. She’s been embedded with our homeless service providers and most vulnerable neighbors. She knows that having a continuum of stable, dignified housing options makes our communities safer and saves taxpayer dollars.

What can the county do?

  • Offer robust leadership and coordination through the Joint Office on Homelessness to coordinate services, funding opportunities, and improve efficiency by getting each person the specific resources and support they need

  • Identify emergency safe camping and safe parking locations while more transitional housing and permanent supportive housing options are pursued

  • Create a safe parking development code for the county

  • Develop an emergency shelter response plan for extreme weather events

  • Connect people experiencing homelessness with mental health support, addiction services, and other community resources

 

Mental Health

 

Tragically, our county has one of the highest youth suicide rates in the state. The need for support is outpacing our ability to respond, leaving vulnerable people waiting for appointments and wraparound services. We must make behavioral health a priority and forge partnerships with local organizations and mental health care providers so our whole community can be well. Morgan will collaborate with the experienced professionals who have been doing this work in our community for a long time to champion programs that will have significant impact.

What can the county do?

  • Support our schools’ outreach to struggling students

  • Advocate for investment in our Mobile Crisis Assessment Team

  • Pursue expanded service and capacity at the Crisis Stabilization Center

 

Land Use & Growth

 

Deschutes County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. This has brought benefits to our community, as well as challenges like soaring house prices, traffic jams, strained infrastructure, and unsustainable pressure on our lands, waters, and wildlife. Our lands and water are irreplaceable, and the county’s role is to align with the integrity and intent of our land use system: planning for affordable, livable cities while preserving the forests, farmland, waters, and open spaces that we all love.

What can the county do?

  • Partner with cities to ensure appropriate Urban Growth Boundaries and support expansion as needed

  • Advocate for a High Desert Goal to be added to the State Land Use System so that rural landowners have flexibility to meet challenges of climate change, workforce availability, and economic viability - without losing our open spaces.

  • Protect winter grounds and migration corridors for wildlife

  • Make strategic investments in Deschutes County infrastructure and service capacities

Investing in Deschutes County

A growing county has growing needs. We must invest in our future. Taxpayers deserve to have public funds managed carefully so that people get the services they need. Being fiscally responsible means being fiscally strategic, and Morgan is ready to invest wisely.

Morgan will lead with confidence, backed by data, and driven by a vision for the future. We cannot afford to be penny wise and pound foolish. We have to be forward-thinking, not regressive, by making strategic investments that will benefit all of the residents of Deschutes County.