Kent Vander Kamp

Two longtime Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office employees faced off Monday in the first debate of the election season since announcing their candidacies for sheriff.

The forum drew dozens of people to the Sunriver Homeowners Aquatic & Recreation Center. Candidates Sgt. Kent Vander Kamp and Capt. Bill Bailey had views in common but gave different descriptions about employee life and finances at the sheriff’s office.

Vander Kamp said lawsuits, “wasteful spending” and other controversies over the years have soured morale among staff. A leader with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Team, he said the office needs to learn from its mistakes and improve transparency.

“It is not all rainbows and flowers right now at the sheriff’s office,” he said, adding: “We have a good ol’ boys system … The current administration has made some hard decisions. They’ve made the newspapers, and they’ve been in the courtroom. That’s not a secret.”

Bailey, meanwhile, said the sheriff’s office is “on the right course,” touted his efforts to preserve employee health and wellness and commended the heroism of deputies despite the inherent stress of the job.

With more than two decades of experience, including his current job as the patrol captain, Bailey said he has been mentored well for the top job. He has long served beside outgoing Sheriff Shane Nelson, who is retiring and is backing Bailey for the top job.

“It is not doom and gloom at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office,” he said. “It is absolutely not. The overwhelming majority of our staff are happy and healthy.”

The forum made clear that one of the top issues on the minds of voters this year is the sheriff’s office budget. Six people in the audience told The Bulletin that they are eager to hear the candidates’ plans to appropriately use taxpayer dollars.

“If they spend all their money on their tangents, then everybody’s affected,” said Larry Marston, a local software engineer.

Jail

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The forum provided voters the first opportunity to hear for themselves the candidates’ approach to a slew of issues: homelessness, safety in the jail and the meager number of women in supervisory positions.

Here are a few of the highlights:

Budget

The sheriff’s office budget reserves have consistently declined since the end of 2020, and it overestimated the amount of money it would have to start this year by more than $2 million. Last spring, the Deschutes County Commission maximized its assessed tax rates for the two districts supporting the sheriff’s office.

Vander Kamp seized on these points Monday as part of his pitch to “cut spending.” He voiced concerns that the real estate market wouldn’t reap ample funds to replenish office reserves, adding: “We’re spending more than we’re making.”

“Running (the sheriff’s office) more like a business, rather than a fountain of cash made of your tax dollars, is really what we need to be looking at right now,” he said.

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In November, The Bulletin reported that the sheriff’s office paid tens of thousands of dollars for a slushy machine, golf carts, fitness trackers, fruit bowls and a free meal program in the jail for employees.

It also spent about $2.4 million in overtime last year alone, with three corrections deputies alone making more than $50,000.

Bailey has been involved in the budget process and at least some of these purchases and spending. He described sheriff’s office financial decisions — such as patrol cars for every deputy — as necessary to prevent higher costs long term, keep employees healthy and preserve safety in the public and jail.

He acknowledged that inflation and increased tourism forced higher spending. However, he noted that the sheriff’s office saved money over the years by keeping tax rates stable.

“If you only look at a narrow window, I don’t think you get a complete understanding,” Bailey said.

Bailey said he wants to see the tax rates lowered in the next five years.

“Things are on the right track, and that’s why I’m running for sheriff,” he said.

Homelessness

Another of the major issues the candidates talked about was the challenges around unmanaged homeless encampments on China Hat Road, where residents and county officials have voiced concerns about lawlessness and fires.

Bailey said authorities are frustrated with the issue, but they are taking action.

He spoke about the efforts the patrol team has made to prevent fires in the area, including water tanks people can use to slow fires in critical minutes while authorities respond.

He said the sheriff’s office had regular conversations with the U.S. Forest Service to understand jurisdictional responsibilities and what needs to be done to make sure the areas are kept safe.

“We were able to prevent any fires from starting once we put those pieces in place,” he said.

Vander Kamp said people who are struggling with homelessness, mental illness and addiction need support to receive housing and other services. He said he works with local low-barrier shelter employees to provide services.

But he emphasized that criminals should be held accountable to prevent shootings and arson that he has investigated in the area.

“There’s a lot of work to be done there,” he said. “But I think if we bring the partnership and the people together, we can get people talking and create an action plan.”

The deadline to file to run for office in the May 21 primary election is March 12. But if only two candidates remain on the ballot at that time, the sheriff’s election moves to the November general election.