Portland budget public forums begin Tuesday, March 18

Published 10:30 am Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The first round of Portland budget public forums under the city’s new form of government will start at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18.

That is when a listening session will be held in the city’s newly created District 3 at the University of Western States, 8000 N.E. Tillamook St. It will be followed by sessions in the other three districts through April 3.

The full schedule of district listening sessions is as follows:

• District 3: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, University of Western States, 8000 N.E. Tillamook St.
• District 1: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20, Portland Fire Station 2 and Training Division, 4800 N.E. 122nd Ave.
• District 4: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, Portland Building, Room 108, 1120 S,W, Fifth Ave.
• District 2: 6 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 3, Portland Community College Cascade Moriarty Auditorium, 5514-5518 N. Albina Ave.

Approving a balanced budget by the July 1 start of the next fiscal year is the biggest challenge facing the changes to the City Charter approved by Portland voters at the November 2022 general election.

City Administrator Michael Jordan released his recommendations for the 2025-26 fiscal year budget on Friday, Feb. 28. It highlighted problems facing Mayor Keith Wilson and the City Council caused by a projected $157 million deficit, including a $93 million general fund shortfall.

Among other things, Jordan suggested laying off up to 300 employees, slashing street maintenance programs and closing community centers.

“There aren’t really any good choices here,” said Jordan at a press briefing. “It’s about where you will find the money to balance the budget.”

Pushback has been growing across the city, including a packed meeting protesting the potential closure of the St. Johns Community Center on March 12.

But Jordan’s recommendations are only the starting point of a process that will not be completed until mid-June. After the listening sessions, Wilson will release his proposed budget in May, and the council will undoubtedly change it, like it always does.

But things are much different than in the past because of the charter reforms. Among other things, voters increased the council from five members elected citywide to 12 councils elected in four geographic districts. All bureaus are now being overseen by the city administrator instead of the mayor and councilors. And the mayor does not preside over the council meetings and can only vote to break a tie.

On top of that, the total city budget is over $8 billion, including federal funds. But because President Donald Trump is trying to slash federal spending, it is unclear how much federal money the city will receive and for which programs in the future. Federal courts have paused some of the cuts, but answers may not be known by the time the council has to vote on a budget that must be balanced under Oregon law.

Even before Jordan released his budget recommendations, leaders of the unions that represent Portland employers were lobbying City Hall to prevent any of their members from being laid off. As first reported by Willamette Week, a letter calling for management reductions instead was presented to Wilson and some councilors on Wednesday, Feb. 26, signed by the heads of AFSCME 189, the Portland Police Association, LiUNA 483, the Portland Fire Fighters Association, PROTECT17, Northwest Oregon Labor Council, the District Council of Trade Unions, and the City of Portland Professional Workers Union.

More information on the budget process and how to participate can be found at the city’s website at portland.gov/budget/join.