Portland City Council pictured in February of this year.
Anna Lueck for OPB
Portland’s facing a consequential budget year: With a $93 million deficit, mass layoffs, limits to public safety programs and the closure of beloved community spaces are all on the table. And the city is looking to members of the public to help them decide what to cut — and what to save — to keep the city running next year.
This week kicks off a series of regional public meetings where Portlanders can share their thoughts on city spending with city councilors and Mayor Keith Wilson. Wilson is responsible for writing the first draft of the city budget, which will be released on May 5. City councilors will then suggest amendments to tweak this plan before voting to adopt the budget in early June. The budget goes into effect July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
The budget listening sessions are being held in each of Portland’s four new districts over the next three weeks. (But attendees don’t need to live in the host district to participate.) The city also offers an option for people to participate virtually on the event page. Those who sign up to testify at the start of the event will be granted 90 seconds to speak. Here’s the schedule:
Tuesday, March 18, 6 p.m.: District 3 listening session at University of Western States, 8000 NE Tillamook St. Portland, OR 97213
Thursday, March 20, 6 p.m.: District 1 listening session at Portland Fire Station 2 and Training Division, 4800 NE 122nd Ave. Portland, OR 97230
Tuesday, April 1, 6 p.m.: District 4 listening session at the Portland Building, 1120 SW Fifth Ave., Room 108 Portland, OR 97204
Thursday, April 3, 6 p.m.: District 2 listening session at Portland Community College Cascade Moriarty Auditorium, 5514-5518 N Albina Ave. Portland, OR 97217