Proposed Portland budget would cut jobs and services
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Portland Mayor Keith Wilson's proposed $8.5 billion budget would cut 150 jobs and reduce funding for police, parks and homeless services.
The big picture: It attempts to thread a narrow needle — protecting the programs Wilson prioritizes while closing a roughly $160 million budget deficit.
What he's saying: "The stakes are high," Wilson said in a video statement Monday. "This year, our budget must stretch farther, carry more weight and bridge a deeper chasm."
By the numbers: The city would no longer transfer more than $30 million to Multnomah County for homeless services and will instead provide those services directly, even as it cuts homeless shelter and street outreach funding.
Here are some of the biggest cuts across city bureaus.
- $18 million (31%) from homeless shelters and $1.7 (37%) from street outreach programs
- $21.7 million from the police bureau, mostly in reductions to administrative support, materials, technology and unarmed public safety support staff
- $7 million from Portland Fire & Rescue through reduced staff hours and fewer fire engines
Community centers would see reduced hours and maintenance would be curtailed at the Parks Bureau to save around $13 million.
Yes, but: The budget proposal would not close any community centers or fire stations and avoids cutting any police officers.
Between the lines: The budget shortfall is due in part to a reliance on one-time funds, falling property taxes and changes to the federal tax structure, officials said.
The other side: Wilson's budget also includes a number of new revenue sources.
- He would pull in $44 million from various reserves and contingency funds, $27 million in interest earned by the Portland Clean Energy Fund and $7.4 million in increased charges and fees.
- Two new fees — a transportation utility fee, currently being considered by City Council, and a street damage restoration fee — would generate more than $43 million toward the general fund.
What's next: Wilson's budget is just a proposal at this point. City councilors will listen to public testimony and debate amendments over the next several weeks before a final version is passed in early June.