CCCNews Podcast: Schaffeld Questions Spending Priorities, Calls for Fairness in County Investments
The Dalles, Ore., April 1, 2026 — Wasco County commissioner candidate Dick Schaffeld said the county must rethink how it spends public dollars, arguing for a more balanced approach that benefits the entire region rather than select projects or communities.
Schaffeld, who is running for Position No. 3 in the May 19 primary election, shared his views during a recent CCCNews podcast interview, where he addressed housing, wildfire preparedness, economic development and the county’s growing revenue from data centers.
Schaffeld is running against incumbent Phil Brady and Mike Urness for the seat.
The race comes at a time when Wasco County is seeing increased revenues tied to large-scale industrial development, raising questions about how those funds should be allocated and what long-term investments will best serve residents.
On housing, Schaffeld expressed skepticism about the use of public financing tools to support private development projects, such as large apartment complexes. He said those investments may not benefit the county as a whole and questioned whether public dollars should be used to reduce risk for private developers.
“I don’t think that benefits the whole county as a whole,” Schaffeld said, adding that government should be cautious about backing private ventures.
Instead, he suggested the county focus on smaller-scale efforts and better use of existing resources to address housing challenges.
Schaffeld also emphasized wildfire preparedness, pointing to recent fires in the region and the need for increased education and fuel reduction efforts. He said many residents may not fully understand defensible space requirements and other preventative measures.
“I think it’s a big education thing,” he said, noting that more outreach and support could help reduce wildfire risk across the county.
He called for additional support for rural fire districts, which he said rely heavily on volunteers and limited funding. Schaffeld said the county should consider allocating more tax revenue to support emergency services, including fire protection and ambulance response.
“I don’t see anything wrong with maybe giving them some tax money to help this out,” he said.
On economic development, Schaffeld addressed the impact of data centers, which have brought millions of dollars in revenue to the county. While he acknowledged their economic benefits, he raised concerns about water use and long-term sustainability.
“I think they could be a little more diligent in what they give,” he said of tax incentives, adding that officials should take a broader view of how such developments affect agriculture and local communities.
Schaffeld described recent revenue increases as a “windfall” and suggested the county invest in projects that directly benefit residents, such as youth sports facilities, road improvements and community infrastructure.
He also encouraged officials to make better use of existing public assets, including land and facilities, before pursuing new projects.
On education, Schaffeld said he supports building a new high school but believes the school district should first evaluate and potentially liquidate underused properties to help fund construction.
“I think they need to really look at their assets,” he said.
Throughout the interview, Schaffeld emphasized local control, fiscal responsibility and community input, encouraging residents to participate in the upcoming election.
“If you don’t vote, you ain’t got nothing,” he said.
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