In this episode, you’ll hear about water conservation efforts place across our city. We sat down with the City of Bend’s Water Conservation Manager, a Landscape Architect from Bend Park and Recreation, a Lab Analyst from a local beverage company, and two community members that participated in the City’s turf removal program. Together, they share insights, experiences and practical strategies for building a more water conscious community. Tune in to discover how small changes are making a big impact and how you can be a part of the solution.  

On this episode, you'll hear about summer construction projects taking place across town. You’ll hear from a City Councilor, a Transportation Bond Oversight Committee member and a City Engineer as they talk about what it takes to make our transportation system safer – and how we’re using the projects as opportunities to replace outdated water and sewer infrastructure.

Recently, many of you received a letter that included information about the City's Flammable Vegetation Code and best practices to help protect your home from wildfire risk.​ In the latest episode of "Let's Talk Bend", we talk to a community member about their perspective and questions they have about the letter. ​ You'll also hear from our Director of Risk and Emergency Management Carrie Karl, Fire Inspector Melissa Steele and Code Enforcement Officer Julie Craig to explain the purpose of the letter and answer those common questions from the community.​

The City of Bend podcast is back with a brand-new name: Let's Talk Bend! Let's Talk Bend dives deep into local issues through conversations with City of Bend staff, stakeholders and community partners to understand the diverse perspectives that make up our vibrant community. In the first episode of Let's Talk Bend, we sit down with the 2025 Bend City Council to learn more about them, and what they are focusing on for the year ahead.

Our very first episode of the Inside Bend Podcast came out three years ago! To celebrate three years of Inside Bend, we wanted to take a trip back to one of our past podcasts which covers a topic that is still just as important today: wildfire. This episode originally aired back in May of 2022 when we spoke to Bend Fire and Rescue Chief Todd Riley about wildfire safety and what you can do to help protect your home and your community from the threat of wildfire.

This month on the Inside Bend Podcast we are diving into the world of development with Chief Operations Officer Russ Grayson to learn more about System Development Charges. These are the fees that are charged when development happens to help pay for the impacts of expanding, operating and maintaining vital core services such as sewer, water and roadways.

We chat with Senior Management Analyst Cassie Lacy who explains more about the Community Climate Action Plan. This is a set of strategies that were adopted by the City Council in 2019 to guide the City and the community to work together on reducing fossil fuel use. In this episode, you’ll learn what the Community Climate Action Plan is, how the strategies are being deployed and how the success of the program is being tracked.

Water plays a big role in our lives, but exactly how does that safe and reliable drinking water make its way to your faucet? That’s what we cover in this month’s edition of the Inside Bend podcast. We spoke with Water Operations Manager Rod Mingus to learn more about our complex water system and understand why it’s so important that we conserve this precious resource.

February is Heart Health Month, so we sat down with EMS Training Captain Petar Hossick to learn more about how Bend Fire and Rescue is working hard to respond to community members experiencing a cardiac event as quickly and efficiently as possible. He also offers some great tips on how you can help save a life!

This month on the Inside Bend Podcast, we want to discuss the Transportation Fee. Joining us is Sarah Hutson who is the project manager of the Transportation Fee. Our transportation system is a public investment that needs regular maintenance to ensure mobility, public safety, economic activity and quality of life. On this episode, you learn more about how the Transportation Fee came to be, what it will pay for and why it’s important that we implement it to sustain and improve our level of service for Bend Streets.

Colder temperatures have arrived and it’s feeling more and more like winter! Are you ready for the next time it snows? We have you covered with the latest episode of Inside Bend where we chat with Transportation and Mobility Director David Abbas to learn more about how streets crews are preparing for winter and what you can do to be prepared.

What does Accessibility mean to you? This month on the Inside Bend Podcast we dive into that question with our Accessibility and Equity Manager Cassandra Kehoe. She explains what her role is and how she’s working to make sure everyone in the community has access to the resources and information they need.

September is National Preparedness Month, so that begs the question: Are you prepared for an emergency? This month’s episode of the Inside Bend Podcast will focus on just that as we talk to our Director of Emergency Management Carrie Karl. She explains what her role is and how is helping to make sure the community is in the best position possible if a disaster were to happen. She also has some great tips on what you can do to be prepared in an emergency.

On today’s episode, we’re learning more about a topic that is becoming increasingly important: Cyber security. The City’s Information Security Manager Adam Young joins us to explain what the City’s doing to keep online data and information safe. He dives into the types of bad actors the City’s trying to combat and explains how the City’s being proactive in order to stop the hackers.

The Inside Bend podcast is turning two! Our very first ever podcast came out in July of 2021 and the topic we covered then is just as important today: Wildfire Safety. So, we’re doing a revisit of that podcast. In it, you will hear from Bend Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Trish Connolly as she gives some great tips on what you can do to help protect your home and the rest of the community from wildfire.

For this episode of the ‘Inside Bend’ podcast we wanted to honor the great work that the public works department does for the community! From designing and maintaining roadways to maintaining our water systems, the public works team is at the core of the services that are provided by the City and are the people that keep everything running. On this episode you’ll hear from three staff members who each play a vital role in our community. Dan Denning from the Utility Department talks water conservation and even gives some great tips on how you might be able to save some money. Carrie Theus from the Engineering and Infrastructure Planning Department will explain more about the Olney Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Project which aims to give more people more options to get around town. And finally, Paul Neiswonger in the Transportation and Mobility Department dives into the Street Preservation Program and why it’s so important for keeping our good roads good

Recently the Bend Police Department released the results of the 2023 Police Survey which gauges community feedback on trust and safety. We decided to take a closer look at what the survey found with Bend Police Communications Manager Sheila Miller as she explains the results of the survey. We discuss what the department is doing well and what they are looking to improve upon.

It’s that time of the year where the City sets its budget for the coming two years!   Finance Director Janette Townsend is the guest on the podcast this month as she is here to break down the City budget and explain exactly how and what City funds can be spent on.

We’re joined by Mayor Melanie Kebler as she discusses what it was like growing up in Bend and what lead her to run for Mayor. She also explains her vision for the council moving forward and what goals she hopes to accomplish over the next two years.  She also touches on ways community input influences policy decisions. You are not going to want to miss this episode! 

Bend Fire & Rescue provides medical serves not only the City of Bend but 1,450 square miles of surrounding rural area. That’s a big job! Making sure there are enough firefighters and paramedics to cover that area is imperative to keep our community safe. Deputy Fire Chief Drew Norris is our guest on the Inside Bend podcast this month as he explains how important it is to make sure there are enough resources to properly serve the community.