Municipal broadband. An earthquake-ready Burnside Bridge. Upgrades and repairs to Multnomah County facilities. Workplace and workspace modernization. Those are among the 96 investments the County may need to make over the next 20 years in order to grow its infrastructure while continuing to deliver critical services.
On Thursday, April 18, a panel of experts briefed the Board of County Commissioners on the balance of prioritizing those obligations amidst uncertainty over future funding, liabilities and service needs. Peggidy Yates, the County’s Capital Program Director, says the County faces tough decisions as it plans for the future needs of its community and workforce.
“We all know our infrastructure here is to provide access to social services,” Yates said. “There is always this balance of operations and providing critical services and capital. That’s always going to be there, and we need to provide those services.”
Conversations with department leaders, County staff and other stakeholders have helped to narrow focus areas to guide the planning process. Those priorities include enhancing accessibility, ensuring safety and security, investing in proactive technology, seismic investment, and maintaining and repairing existing facilities while building new in growing areas.
But meeting all those needs could prove challenging. The County started it’s budget planning last November with costs outpacing income, creating a nearly $6 million deficit. With that structural deficit projected to increase to $35 million in the next five years, significant improvements to the County’s infrastructure will require the County to reduce costs or raise more revenue.
“The most aggressive options require serious tradeoffs--issuing more debt, raising revenue, cutting programs,” Chief Operating Officer Marissa Madrigal told the Board. “We are looking for a general direction to understand your opinions.”
Over the next several months, the commissioners are expected to thoroughly review every scenario with consideration to the County’s future needs. At a later date, the Board will publicly discuss their vision for the 20 years ahead.