Portland weighs overhaul of committee system

Catch up quick: Portland rolled out its committee system in January 2025 as part of a broader government transition.

• The full 12-member council meets every week and each of the six-member committees held two hour meetings every other week.
• The intent was to provide time to go over legislative proposals and iron out details before issues came before the full council.
• But the setup led to lengthy meetings that often lacked focus, per OPB.

The latest: Dunphy's proposal would create four topic-based committees — Housing and Permitting; Community and Public Safety; Public Works; and City Life, focused on business, workforce and the arts — plus a Committee of the Whole composed of all 12 councilors, which would take on citywide issues.

• The Committee of the Whole would not allow for public comment, though, with Dunphy calling it "a slightly less formal opportunity to actively debate and amend and futz with really important issues."

What's next: The council is set to consider the proposal during Thursday's meeting.

• The changes, if approved, would be implemented next month.