Although some programs will be cut under the city’s proposed budget, the majority of jobs in Portland will remain untouched.
Mayor Sam Adams recently presented his proposed 2010-2011 budget, which focuses on meeting the basic needs of Portland citizens, fueling a more equitable economic recovery, and assisting those residents who are most in need – all in the face of challenging times and decreased revenue.
Adams proposes balancing the budget:
- Without using any of the city’s reserves, which will protect Portland’s Aaa Moody’s credit rating.
- Without increasing parking meter fees or general fund taxes.
- While protecting the essential functions of public safety, economic development and infrastructure.
- By forgoing cost-of-living adjustments for all city employees.
- While returning a portion of Bureau of Environmental Services contract savings to sewer rate-payers.
“This proposed budget illustrates the tough decisions that are being made by the City Council to keep front-line services funded and continue making smart investments for Portland’s future,” Adams said.
Adams rejected more than half of the many budget requests from city bureaus. However, some cuts were still made to popular programs, such as the Mounted Patrol Unit, in order to make funds available to save priority public safety needs, such as keeping fire stations open, expanding mental health services, and keeping rescue units in operation.
In addition, the budget strategically invests ongoing and one-time funds to:
Ensure public safety, including:
- Restoring a fire station from closure and two rescue units from cuts.
- Fully funding the Office of Neighborhood Involvement’s Graffiti Abatement Program.
- Fully funding CHIERS and supporting Multnomah County’s sobering station.
- Funding a prostitution rehabilitation and transition effort.
Remain committed to investing in supporting education and academic achievement by:
- Contributing $500,000 toward the Summer Youth Connect scholarship program, which will help students who qualify to pay for post-secondary education.
- Committing $425,000 to Summer Youth Connect summer jobs, a program that began last year and served 1,650 students county-wide through summer jobs, internships and career and college visits.
- Partially restoring the Parks & Recreation Bureau’s Summer Playground Program and continuing the funding of the Parks’ Teen Programming.
Invest resources to help local businesses grow and create jobs by:
- Directing the Portland Development Commission to reduce operating and administrative costs by 12.5 percent, or $4 million; and increase business finance programs, redevelopment loans and storefront grants by $5.6 million in Urban Renewal Areas across the city.
- Supporting Economic Development initiatives, including $500,000 to roll out the Neighborhood Main Street Revitalization program.
- Allocating $388,000 to continue investing in targeted, cluster-driven development and recruitment efforts.
Deliver increased housing, hunger and homelessness services, such as:
- Investing $1.3 million to increase shelter bed capacity, especially for the high-demand women’s shelter facilities.
- Allocating $2.5 million for the Portland Housing Bureau to meet increased demand for shelter services, rent assistance, and access services.
- Contributing $50,000 to the Oregon Food Bank as they work to combat our region’s record levels of hunger and food insecurity.
Tags: Jobs in Portland