Portland Mayor Keith Wilson presents a 'Back to Basics' budget focused on core values

Fiscal Responsibility

What's at stake

The City's long-term fiscal sustainability relies on a healthy, vibrant local economy. The City is now experiencing the consequences of a tax base hit by slower commercial real estate in the downtown core, fewer businesses and new workers, and economic policies that have too often taken job growth for granted. Wilson has committed to a "back to basics" approach.

What the budget proposes

• Select reductions to services and staff.
• New models for delivering core services such as communications, equity, community engagement, human resources, technology and procurement - with a goal of improving outcomes while reducing costs by 20 percent over two years. Total reductions for this year are $9.5 million.
• The budget does not rely on new taxes. But it does propose increases in fees for parking, parks, permitting, water/sewer/stormwater utility, rideshare and short-term rentals in line with peer cities.
• The long-term financial stability of the City may require adding, changing or exploring new revenue models in the future.

Housing and Homelessness

What's at stake

Unsheltered homelessness is a humanitarian crisis. About 85% of Portland residentsrank homelessness among the top challenges facing the city. Every dollar we spend must restore quality of life for everyone, reduce the burden on our public safety system and unlock Portland's true potential.

What the budget proposes

• Continue to support Alternative Shelter Sites, which serve over 800 people across eight sites.
• Raise $24.9 million of external funding to offer 1500 shelter beds by Dec. 1, supported by day centers and storage units.
• Fund 50 shelter beds at the Bybee Lakes Hope Center, using $1.3 million from the state of Oregon's opioid settlement.
• Add affordable housing with an innovative "Homeshare" pilot project shown to rapidly and successfully open up existing housing to new residents in peer cities.

Green Leadership

What's at stake

Portland has long established itself as a global leader in combatting climate change. With rising temperatures and more extreme weather, we have an urgent responsibility to meet our commitment to a cleaner, greener, more equitable, lower-carbon city.

What the budget proposes

• Restore the promise of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) to support sustainable, equitable projects. Investments are limited to projects aligned with the program's mission, while interest from the fund provides support to the City's operations.
• Invest $11.9 million in energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment to replace outdated fixtures on city property.
• Invest $5 million to upgrade the city's fleet with electric vehicles to replace aging diesel and gasoline vehicles.
• Support green tech workforce development at Portland Community College with $12.3 million.

Parks

What's at stake

Every cent that goes into youth programming and community spaces activates volunteers, frees up parents to provide for their families while knowing their children are safe, and changes young lives. A "back to basics" approach supports these goals. Some reductions are delayed until September, providing time for the City Council - and, ultimately, Portlanders - to decide priorities as they renew the current parks levy, which expires in 2026.

What the budget proposes

• Support community centers, sports programming, SUN schools, and critical maintenance.
• Reduce staff.
• Reduce underutilized building hours, nonessential property upkeep, arborist hours, facilities cleaning, and non-critical maintenance.
• Increase golf fees, sell or share low-mileage vehicles.

Public Safety

What's at stake

Fire, police, 911, violence prevention and disaster planning are fundamental services that protect our community from harm. About 62% of Portlanders rate these among the most important services to support. Most residents in District 1, which spans East Portland, do not feel safe walking around their neighborhood at night. In your time of greatest need, you deserve a fast, capable response.

What the budget proposes

• Strengthening Portland Street Response by adding 14 positions and expanding operating hours.
• Capping overtime hours for first responders so they arrive rested and ready.
• Supporting Portland Ceasefire and Office of Violence Prevention and fully funding our police oversight systems.
• Investing $19.5 million to maintain fire, Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) teams, and law enforcement and to enhance Portland Street Response.

Community Livability

What's at stake

Livability is what makes Portland a great place to grow, play, learn, work and become who we want to be. According to the Portland Insights Survey, residents reported high satisfaction with outdoors and natural areas, amenities, arts and culture, but perceptions of downtown and our city as a good place to raise children received lower marks.

What the budget proposes

Continued focus on neighborhood graffiti, illegal dumping, derelict RVs, abandoned autos and clean streets.