Wilson released his first proposed budget since taking office on the city of Portland’s website on Monday, May 5. It reflects the promises and priorities he outlined during his first annual State of the City Speech on Friday. May 2, at Franklin High School, including keeping community centers open, not using the voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Fund to support city bureaus, and continuing work on his promise to create enough overnight shelter beds for all of the homeless in the city by the end of the year.

“My proposed FY 2025-26 budget is a balanced, forward-looking vision and a clear reaffirmation of our City’s values and priorities. Again and again, Portlanders have demonstrated undaunted faith and optimism that our city should lead on public safety, compassion for our most vulnerable, equity for the marginalized, and environmental stewardship. Our final budget must reflect these values,” Wilson said in a message accompanying the proposed budget.

Wilson’s proposed budget totals $8.5 billion, including eliminating a projected $93 million general fund shortfall. Among other things, it would:

• Reduce the city workforce by 178 positions, including cutting 51 positions from building-fee-supported Portland Permitting & Development; 32 positions from the Portland Water Bureau; and 47 positions from Portland Parks & Recreation.
• Reduce administrative costs by 20%, including by reduces 56 communication, equity and procurement positions in multiple bureaus now overseen by a professional city administrator.
• Increase funding for shelter beds by $249 million.
• Fund 14 new positions at Portland Street Response, the non-armed alternative to the Portland Police Bureau for lower level emergency calls.
• Increase fees for parking meters, ride-share companies, neighborhood leaf removal and recreational activities.
• Maintains $11 million to increase the staff in the office of the mayor and the 12 council members, as approved by the council in January.
• Use $12 million in one-time funds to help fill 90 of the Portland Police Bureau’s vacant positions.
• Although all community centers will remain open, some hours and programs will be trimmed.

“We must also be realistic about the current fiscal environment. I have released my first City budget proposal into a challenging environment defined by national uncertainty and a financial gap widened by expiring one-time funds, slipping regional economic competitiveness, slowing property tax revenues, and the staggering cost of the humanitarian crisis on our streets,” Wilson said in his budget message.

Wilson will present his proposed budget to the council on Wednesday, May 7. Although the council is likely to consider, if not approve changes, the budget must be balanced and adopted by mid-June under Oregon law.