Candidates for Redmond mayor, council confirmed as filing deadline arrives
Published 7:45 am Thursday, August 29, 2024
- A ballot drop box sits outside the Deschutes County government building located at 1300 NW Wall St. Ballots must be dropped off by Oct. 18.
The filing deadline has passed and the filed is set for the November election in Redmond.
Three people are running for Redmond mayor for the final two-year term. Incumbent Ed Fitch is running for re-election. His challengers are council president Cat Zwicker and resident Charles Baer.
City council members Clifford Evelyn, Tobias Colvin and Shannon Wedding are all running for re-election. They have drawn challengers Alan Lawyer and Jay Patrick.
All council seats are at-large, meaning the top three vote-getters will win a seat.
The last day to register to vote is Oct. 15. Voters will begin to see their ballots by mail by Oct. 16. Drop boxes open in Deschutes County on Oct. 18.
In addition to races for mayor and city council, voters will get a chance to vote on numerous issues that range from drug facilities to a Redmond School District bond
City residents will determine if the city will allow marijuana dispensaries. Despite being legal in Oregon since 2015, Redmond has banned dispensaries from operating in city limits. Council heard perspectives from both sides of the debate in public comment, but decided in July to let voters have their say on the matter for the first time.
The city’s ban on psilocybin treatment centers is also on the ballot this fall. In 2022, the city place a two-year moratorium on the centers that is set to expire Dec. 31. These centers offer medicated treatment with mushrooms to treat anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Redmond voters can keep the current plan in place, or choose to remove it and start the process of regulating them.
A renewal bond for Redmond School District will also be on the ballot for voters within school district boundaries. The bond will replace expiring issues, bringing in $97 million to the school district without raising tax rates. The money will be used for HVAC and building upgrades throughout the district, including replacement of old pipes at Redmond High.
Voters will also have the chance to fund operations for the new recreation center on 35th Street and Lava Avenue. The facility is estimated to cost $49 million and voters will be asked to pass a five-year operations levy at 21 cents per $1,000 of assessed property.
Those wanting to register to vote can do so online.
