The Multnomah County Office of Citizen Involvement received 485 surveys from residents giving feedback on their priorities for the county budget.
A report detailing the results of the survey has been sent to county officials and the board of commissioners, who will consider citizens’ feedback as they adjust the county’s budget to account for state cuts.
The survey asked respondents to rank the county services most important to them, then to describe which aspects of those services they valued most. Respondents ranked health and human services most highly, with mental health, community health, and aging and disability services garnering the most support.
In describing why these services were important, residents’ responses varied greatly, but many emphasized universal access to health care and education. Examples include, “all citizens need health care since healthy citizens lead to healthy communities” and “protect law-abiding citizens by enforcing crime and supporting public safety.”
Overall, the public’s comments reflect a sophisticated understanding of social justice and the efficacy of preventative measures in all areas of county services.