Dear Friends and Neighbors,
My office has issued a draft map for new County Commission districts. Redistricting takes place every 10 years following the U.S. Census to ensure each person in the county receives equal representation. The Multnomah County Charter sets the number of districts — currently four — and gives the Auditor responsibility for creating a plan that sets district boundaries.
Through Friday, November 19, 2021, you can view the draft map, compare it to current Commissioner districts, and share your feedback in a form that is available in English, Russian, Somali, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. You can also video or audio record your answers to the feedback from and email them to mult.auditor@multco.us. This latest opportunity for public input follows a month-long process where people shared suggestions and concerns about their Commissioner district’s boundaries online and through hard-copy questionnaires at all county library branches.
Because of population growth across Multnomah County, my office is proposing changes to Commissioner district boundaries. We want to hear from people if the proposed boundaries will impact them. We look forward to getting community input that can help us adjust boundaries, if County Charter allows, to support the county’s diverse communities of interest.
Because of the process laid out in County Charter, Multnomah County redistricting is free from gerrymandering. Commissioners are elected on a non-partisan basis, so there is no built-in temptation to draw districts to favor a political party. Also, the Charter requires maintaining the general geographic characteristics of the existing districts, which prevents significant boundary changes other than to attain population equality.
My office is on track to present the redistricting plan to the Board of County Commissioners for approval before the end of 2021. I'll keep you posted on when that will take place. You can learn more about the redistricting process at Multnomah County Redistricting 2021.
Keep reading to learn more about how you can apply to serve on the Salary Commission and, as always, my list of COVID resources.
Best,
Jennifer
There's still time to apply for the Salary Commission
There's still time to apply to serve on the Multnomah County Salary Commission! The Salary Commission sets the salaries for the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, County Commissioners, the Sheriff, and the County-paid supplemental salary of the District Attorney. The commission will begin meeting in January 2022. We currently have two open spots. Applications must be submitted by November 15, 2021. The Charter specifies that:
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The Commission is to include five members.
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Members are to be qualified human resource professionals with compensation experience.
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Elected or appointed County officials and employees cannot serve on the Commission.
Helpful COVID-19 Links
- COVID-19 rent relief information for Multnomah County residents: Found out how to apply for emergency rent assistance.
- Complete list of current Multnomah County vaccination clinics, along with information about who is eligible (everyone!), accessing support for language access and for seniors, and information about the vaccination process.
- Information on the 2021 mask mandate
- If you would like information on how to stay healthy, slow the spread of the virus, or how to report any issues, please visit /novel-coronavirus-covid-19.
- Unfortunately, some communities have experienced acts of racism and xenophobia because of the myths surrounding COVID-19; this county site has information about how to report discrimination and find support.
- If you are at work and your employer does not seem to be following public health directives, you can report that to Oregon's Occupational Safety and Health Division.
- This page contains resources to support our communities as we experience the COVID-19 pandemic and get through this together.
- Learn more about COVID-19 community and business guidance from Multnomah County.
- Learn more about disability rights and COVID-19.
