City Government Description

The City of Bend, Oregon operates under a Council–Manager form of government. The Mayor presides over a seven-member City Council, which is fully elected by residents. Council members serve four-year staggered terms, with elections held every two years. The City Manager, appointed by the Council, oversees day-to-day operations and administration of municipal services.

Bend city government is responsible for a wide array of services, including public safety (police, fire, emergency management), land use planning and building permitting, parks and recreation, transportation and street maintenance, water and sewer utilities, solid waste and recycling, and community development programs. They also manage local public works projects, environmental initiatives, housing support, and economic growth planning.

The City Council regularly holds public meetings—typically on the first and third Wednesday of each month—in the Council Chambers at Bend City Hall. These meetings are open to residents and include opportunities for public comment. The city emphasizes community engagement, offering workshops, online surveys, neighborhood advisory boards, and volunteer commissions focused on arts, transportation, sustainability, and historic preservation.

Bend strives for transparency and accountability through published budgets, performance metrics, and annual reports. Residents can access city records, track capital projects, submit service requests, and participate in policy development through the city’s online portal and mobile app.