City of Portland - Measure 26-131
BALLOT TITLE
AMENDS CITY CHARTER PROVISIONS REGARDING COUNCIL EMERGENCY FUND
QUESTION: Shall Charter language allowing use of Council emergency fund without documentation be deleted?
SUMMARY: Portland City Charter Section 2-108 currently provides that an annual appropriation of $5,000 will be placed in a fund to be used at the Council’s discretion. The Charter further provides that the Council is not required to provide documentation of use of the funds. This measure would delete the Charter language allowing the fund to be used without providing supporting evidence of expenditures. As a result, spending from this fund would be accounted for in the same manner as other City spending.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
This measure amends the Portland City Charter. Currently, Portland City Charter Section 2-108 provides that the Council may appropriate up to $5,000 per year to the Council to use without providing vouchers, meaning that no supporting evidence of the expenditures is required. This measure would delete the Charter language allowing the fund to be used without vouchers. As a result, spending from this fund would be accounted for by submission of supporting documentation in the same manner as other City expenditures.
The City Charter Commission referred this measure to the voters. This amendment will not change City government structure.
Submitted by
James H. Van Dyke
City Attorney
City of Portland