The power shift in Portland's new government structure
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Starting next year, Portland will have an entirely new government structure, shifting the power away from the mayor — a position that has historically called the shots — to a dozen-person council.
Why it matters: In November, Portlanders will elect three council members from each of the city's four new districts to pass amendments and set policies for bureaus and Portland as a whole.
- This means that, for the first time, residents will be able to call one of their representatives directly with their requests — and frustrations in their particular neighborhood.
What they're saying: "Because of this institutional design, the power really lies with the people," Melody Valdini, a professor of political science at Portland State University, told Axios.
- "The level of connection and representation is going to be so much higher than it is now."
Catch up quick: In 2022, Portland voters approved significant changes to the city charter, including expanding the City Council from five members elected citywide to 12 from four districts.
- The transition is underway now, and all elected offices are up for grabs via the city's first ranked-choice election this fall.
- Council members will no longer oversee specific departments as they have for the last century, but will solely work together to pass legislation.
- A new City Council president, selected by their peers, will set the council agenda and priorities and will assign members to specialized commissions.
Meanwhile, the mayor will be "much less powerful," Valdini said, and will act as the public-facing voice for the city, breaking ties on the council and managing day-to-day operations with a new city administrator.
Reality check: This power set up, known as a mayor-council model, is not new, according to Valdini. "These are things that have been put into practice in other cities with success," such as New York City, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.
- Valdini, who was a member of the commission tasked with drawing the new district boundaries, said the goal of this system reform is to ensure accountability and encourage collaboration to prevent political gridlock.
Yes, but: While the City Council will have the power to enact laws, the next mayor and city administrator — a position the mayor appoints with council approval — will be in charge of carrying them out. That requires a kind of cohesion that may not be there on day one.
- "The next mayor and council have a lot of work to do and it's going to be hard," Commissioner Mingus Mapss, who is also running for mayor, told The Oregonian.
The intrigue: Due to budget shortfalls, City Council leaders may only be allowed one staffer each. Right now, commissioners have an average of six to seven.
What we're watching: With more than 80 candidates running for City Council, it will be interesting to see what alliances form leading up to Election Day.