Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Bend Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 7

council seats up

3 contests

4 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · 1 seat

Melanie KeblerIncumbentMayor of Bend, term ends 202612sourced
Bernadette StromeOwner of The Denim Dealer, an independent retail business, and former operations manager at Jackson's Outpost. Her pamphlet statement lists no prior government experience.9sourced

City Council Position 5 · Unopposed

Ariel MéndezIncumbentCouncilor, Position 5, term ends 202612sourced

City Council Position 6 · Unopposed

Elana ReinholtzWorks in communications and strategic partnerships and serves on the City of Bend Budget Committee. Began her career in finance at Bloomberg L.P. and founded a manufacturing business.6sourced

Three of the seven seats are on this ballot: Mayor (Position 7) and council Positions 5 and 6. All positions are elected at-large, so every Bend voter can vote in all three contests.

5 notes on these statements

Positions 5 and 6 are uncontested: Ariel Méndez is the only candidate for Position 5 and Elana Reinholtz the only candidate for Position 6. The Source Weekly · Aug 25, 2026

Councilor Mike Riley holds Position 6 and is not on the ballot. City of Bend · Aug 29, 2026

Bernadette Strome did not attend the Sept 22 Partners for Affordable Housing forum; organizers said she was not feeling well. Central Oregon Daily · Sep 23, 2026

Strome later posted written answers to that forum's questions on her campaign website. Bernadette Strome campaign blog · Sep 28, 2026

Councilor Megan Norris recused herself from the June 3, 2026 Climate Pollution Fee vote, citing her position at Hayden Homes. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-06-03 · Jun 3, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Gina FranzosaCouncilor, Position 2, term ends 20284sourced Megan NorrisCouncilor, Position 1, term ends 20284sourced Megan PerkinsMayor Pro Tem, term ends 20284sourced Steve PlattCouncilor, Position 4, term ends 20284sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz4 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesFee on gas appliances in new homes, Housing incentives and funding, Transportation money and Greenwood Avenue Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

All key dates

What the next council decides

Fee on gas appliances in new homes

Where it standsIn June 2026 the council adopted a Climate Pollution Fee on new homes built with gas appliances. It is scheduled to take effect in 2027.

What's on the tableHow the fee is carried out when it starts in 2027, and whether to change it after the city reviews its effects.

The fee applies to new homes covered by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, except manufactured homes, that install a gas appliance; it is due when the permit is issued. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-06-03 · Jun 3, 2026
The amount is based on the social cost of carbon, the appliance's lifetime carbon and the home's size, and the money goes into a Climate Pollution Fund. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-06-03 · Jun 3, 2026
In February 2026 the council voted 5-1 to pursue a fee set at 20% of the maximum potential fee based on the social cost of carbon. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-02-18 · Feb 18, 2026
The council adopted the ordinance 4-1 on June 17, 2026; Councilor Norris was recused and Mayor Kebler was excused. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-06-17 · Jun 17, 2026

Housing incentives and funding

Where it standsBend has used tax increment financing and property-tax exemptions to help apartment projects that reserve some units for lower incomes. In August 2026 a city committee recommended new housing tools, including a $50 million to $100 million housing bond.

What's on the tableWhich housing tools to fund, including whether to pursue a housing bond, a rental registry and more tax incentives.

The Oregon Housing Needs Analysis says Bend needs 33,763 housing units by 2045, an average of 1,971 a year; Bend averaged 1,104 units a year from 2014 to 2024. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2025-05-21 · May 21, 2025
In June 2025 the council adopted tax increment finance plans for the Britta Ridge, Century and Veridian areas on 6-1 votes. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2025-06-04 · Jun 4, 2025
The HOME Committee recommended an affordable housing bond of $50 million to $100 million, a moderate-income revolving loan fund and a rental registry. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2026-08-12 · Aug 12, 2026
At the August 2026 work session, councilors expressed general concern over a bond and support for a rental registry. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2026-08-12 · Aug 12, 2026

Transportation money and Greenwood Avenue

Where it standsBend charges a monthly transportation fee; in September 2025 the council paused its planned third phase indefinitely. The lane reduction on Greenwood Avenue stays in place until the council decides its future.

What's on the tableWhether to raise more money for streets, how to split it between road maintenance and walking and biking safety, and Greenwood Avenue's final layout.

The council voted 7-0 in May 2025 to set Phase 2 Transportation Fee rates, effective July 1, 2025. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2025-05-07 · May 7, 2025
In September 2025 the council gave unanimous support to pausing Phase 3 of the fee indefinitely; staff said Phase 2 was on track for $10 million in revenue. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2025-09-10 · Sep 10, 2025
In June 2025 the council voted 6-1 to move $400,000 from street preservation to pedestrian and bike safety programs. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2025-06-18 · Jun 18, 2025
In August 2024 a quick-build project cut Greenwood Avenue from four travel lanes to two; the city says the council will decide next steps once Olney Avenue has fully reopened. City of Bend

Juniper Ridge camp and shelter funding

Where it standsThe Temporary Safe Stay Area at Juniper Ridge is set to close by June 30, 2027, after the city and Deschutes County extended the deadline in February 2026.

What's on the tableWhere people living at Juniper Ridge go next, and how to pay for shelter as regional funding falls.

In February 2026 the council voted 7-0 for a joint resolution with Deschutes County extending the closure date to June 30, 2027. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-02-18 · Feb 18, 2026
In January 2026 staff said the camp had 192 campers, cost about $1.1 million a year to run, and that moving everyone into housing and shelter would cost about $30 million in the first year. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2026-01-14 · Jan 14, 2026
In July 2026 staff said shelter funding for the region will be cut 50%, about $5 million, next year. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2026-07-22 · Jul 22, 2026
Staff proposed using 6 acres at Juniper Ridge for affordable housing as a first phase. Bend City Council work session minutes, 2026-07-22 · Jul 22, 2026

Where Bend grows

Where it standsIn 2026 the council annexed two urban growth boundary expansion areas, including the 265.7-acre Stevens Road Tract.

What's on the tableHow Bend plans for future growth, including land outside today's boundary and more housing inside existing neighborhoods.

In March 2026 the council voted 5-1 to annex 66.46 acres in the Southeast urban growth boundary expansion area. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-03-04 · Mar 4, 2026
In April 2026 the council voted 4-1 on first reading to annex 265.7 acres in the Stevens Road Tract expansion area. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-04-01 · Apr 1, 2026
The 2026 legislature passed House Bill 4037, which city staff said will improve how Bend can account for the cost of serving land outside the urban growth boundary. Bend City Council meeting minutes, 2026-03-18 · Mar 18, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Bend adopted a fee, starting in 2027, on new homes built with gas appliances. What should the next council do?
2. Bend uses tax breaks and tax increment financing to help apartment projects that set aside some lower-rent units. What should it do?
3. How should Bend divide its transportation money?
4. Should Bend encourage more homes, such as duplexes and townhomes, inside existing neighborhoods?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register to voteDeschutes County ClerkOct 13, 2026
Ballots mailed to votersDeschutes County ClerkOct 14, 2026
Deschutes County drop boxes openDeschutes County ClerkOct 16, 2026
Election DayDeschutes County ClerkNov 3, 2026

The seat math

4 stay (not up this year): Gina Franzosa, Megan Norris, Megan Perkins, Steve Platt3 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Bend City Council is six councilors and a mayor, all elected by Bend voters to four-year terms. City of Bend · Aug 29, 2026
All positions are elected at-large and are not tied to any part of the city. City of Bend · Aug 29, 2026
The mayor leads council meetings, and the councilors choose one of the elected councilors to be Mayor Pro Tem. City of Bend
Councilors receive a $30,000 annual stipend and the mayor a $50,000 stipend, plus health benefits. City of Bend · Aug 29, 2026

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