Your Priorities Are
My Priorities.

What is a County Commissioner?

County Commissioners oversee services, policies, and public funds for our people, lands, and waters.

Housing

We have a housing crisis in Deschutes County. Our top priority must be to collaborate with city governments to thoughtfully build more housing that can support local businesses, families, and our Central Oregon way of life.

How can the county help?

  • Contribute land for affordable and workforce housing development

  • Explore incentives for long term rentals and deed restrictions

  • Ensure that Rural ADU codes encourage long term housing

  • Expedite permitting for workforce housing where possible

Wildfire Resilience

Our communities face increased wildfire risk every year. We must work together to prepare, mitigate risk, and support the fire professionals who keep our homes safe.

How can county commissioners help?

  • Work closely with local and state emergency managers and fire professionals to mitigate wildfire risk

  • Advocate for homeowner insurance access for residents

  • Make land use and transportation decisions that consider wildfire hazard modeling and evacuation feasibility

Public Health

The County Commission is the public health authority, tasked with keeping our families safe and well. Morgan will ensure we continue providing essential mental health, public health, school clinics, family support, and environmental health services.

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

  • Ensure operational funding for new inpatient psychiatric beds for kids and youth so they aren’t forced to stay in overcrowded ER facilities

Land & Water

Deschutes County is one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. 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

Homelessness

Every year, more people are experiencing homelessness in Deschutes County. No one wants people living in tents on the street or in the forest. The only way that continues is if we do nothing. We must take action with data-driven, proven approaches that will actually help decrease homelessness and help people get back on their feet.

Morgan has years of running shelters. 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 Coordinated Houseless Response Office to coordinate services, funding opportunities, and improve efficiency by getting each person the specific resources and support they need

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

  • Develop an emergency shelter response plan for extreme weather events

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

Fiscal Responsibility

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.