Both the city of Bend and Deschutes County have scheduled budget committee meetings next week in preparation for finalizing their respective budgets.

The city’s budget committee will examine areas such as public safety and community development for the proposed biennial budget.

The county’s committee will similarly discuss each county department included within its fiscal year 2024 budget. Public comment will be permitted at both committees’ meetings.

The city is proposing a $1.29 billion biennial budget, which includes $480.1 million in operating revenues.

The county is proposing a $714 million annual budget that includes a $404 million operating budget.

“This year we’re seeing a combination of sustained high inflation rates, rising costs, a slowing of new construction and ongoing supply challenges,” County Administrator Nick Lelack said in a press release. “These factors are creating new budget challenges for the county, which is facing increasing revenue pressures.”

A number of fee and rate increases will be discussed at both city and county budget meetings.

“We recognize that these are tough economic times for many people, and the city shares some of the same challenges of increasing, inflationary costs,” Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler said in a press release. “While we are sensitive to these concerns, we also need to balance the needs and expectations of this fast-growing community.”

If you go

City of Bend: Monday and Tuesday, May 22 and 23, at 4 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 63377 NE Jamison St. in Bend. A virtual option will be available at bendoregon.gov.

Deschutes County: Monday, May 22, at 8:30 a.m. and Tuesday-Thursday, May 23-25, at 9 a.m. The committee meetings will take place in the Barnes Sawyer Rooms in the Deschutes Services Building at 1300 NW Wall St. in Bend. A virtual option will be available at deschutes.org.