District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC)
Deschutes County District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC)
In July 2025, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) appointed seven community members to the non-partisan District Mapping Advisory Committee (DMAC).DMAC members will meet weekly, from September 2025 - November 2025 (as needed), to draft a commissioner district map for Board consideration. If the draft map is approved by the BOCC, it will then be put before the voters as a ballot measure during the 2026 election cycle.
The DMAC shall draft a district map using the following criteria:
- Each district, as nearly as practicable, shall:
- Be contiguous
- Utilize existing precinct lines
- Not unreasonably divide communities of common interest and geographic boundaries
- Consider current growth patterns, i.e. building permits and UGB expansions
- No district shall be drawn for the purpose of favoring any political party, incumbent elected official or other person.
- No district shall be drawn for the purpose of diluting the voting strength of any language or ethnic minority group.
- Maps should be drawn so that the populations of each district are approximately equal, recommended to be within 5% variance between the largest and smallest district.
- The draft map will feature five districts.
DMAC Members
The committee is comprised of seven appointed members and a facilitator who will act as chair.
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Neil Bryant | Facilitator and Chair |
| Andrew Kaza | Appointed Member |
| Bernie Brader | Appointed Member |
| Carol Loesche | Appointed Member |
| Matt Cyrus | Appointed Member |
| Melanie Kebler | Appointed Member |
| Ned Dempsey | Appointed Member |
| Phil Henderson | Appointed Member |
Background
Ballot Measure 9-173, approved by voters in November 2024, expands the Board of County Commissioners from three to five members. The two new positions will be elected at-large in 2026 for an initial two-year term which will begin in January 2027. The BOCC met several times between November 2024 and May 2025 to consider transitioning from five at-large Commissioner positions to establishing individual Commissioner districts.
On March 31, 2025 the BOCC voted to initiate the drafting of Commissioner districts for voter consideration in 2026. On May 5, 2025 the BOCC majority voted to form a committee with members selected through BOCC nominations.
Meeting Information
| Dates | Meeting Type | Materials | Video |
| August 27, 2025 | DMAC Orientation Meeting |
Agenda Minutes |
Video |
Public Comment
Each DMAC meeting will allocate 15 minutes, as needed, for public input. A sign-up sheet will be available at each meeting for members of the public attending in person who would like to give their input. Online participants can indicate their desire to comment by using the “raise hand” feature on Zoom.
Each person will be allowed up to three minutes for their comments. If more than five people sign up to speak, the facilitator will adjust time limits to ensure the public comment period does not exceed 15 minutes.
The public can also provide comments or ask questions about the DMAC by sending an email to DMAC@deschutes.org.
