Learn more about the Multnomah County Budget process and how to participate

Engage with the county's FY 2028 budget process

Every year the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopts a budget for Multnomah County. The formal process begins when the County Chair releases the Proposed budget in April. For fiscal year 2028, the Proposed budget will be released and posted to the Budget Office website on .

The County then begins a series of countywide and department-specific work sessions to review and deliberate on budget proposals, as well as public hearings to gather feedback from the community. At any time during the process, the Board can request changes through budget amendments.

The first vote occurs when the Board of Commissioners, acting as the Budget Committee, approves the budget. Oregon Budget Law allows, but does not require, changes to the budget document prior to approval, which is scheduled for .

After the budget work sessions and public hearings have concluded, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners votes on the adoption of the budget (including any amendments). This year the FY 2028 budget adoption is scheduled for .

Work sessions are scheduled by the Board Clerk; details will be available online on the Board Clerk's site soon.

Budget Work Sessions

All budget work sessions will be held in-person at the Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, in the Boardroom, and will also be available to watch virtually on the MultcoBoard YouTube channel. Public comment does not occur during the budget work sessions, but can be heard at the regular Thursday morning Board meetings. Please use the public testimony form to sign up to testify in person or to submit written testimony on non-agenda items. You may also use the forms available in the boardroom to sign up to testify on non-agenda items, but please be aware that the non-agenda speaker list may be full prior to the date of the meeting. The deadline to sign up to testify virtually for the next scheduled Thursday Board meeting is Wednesday at 4pm.

Link to the Budget Office Calendar

FY 2028 Budget Work Session Calendar

Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission (TSCC) hearing

The Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission (TSCC) holds a hearing on the County budget, and community members can also provide public comment. However, at this hearing, you would primarily be speaking to the TSCC board, not the Board of County Commissioners. The TSCC hearing is scheduled for . Information on how to participate and sign-up for public comment at the TSCC hearing can be found on the TSCC website in addition to the Multnomah County Board Meeting website.

Apply to be on the Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBAC)

Community members are always encouraged to apply to be on the Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBAC) to review budget submissions and make recommendations. The CBAC committees have already been selected for this budget process, however, we encourage you to apply to become a CBAC member in late spring/early summer for next year's budget process. Please see the CBAC website for more information.

Community members can also talk to the Office of Community Involvement to discuss additional volunteer opportunities.

Additional Opportunities to Provide Public Comment

Board Hearings to Approve and Adopt the Budget

The votes on approving and adopting the budget (see above for more details) occur during regularly-scheduled Thursday Board meetings. Comments on agenda items are heard before the Board votes on that item. Use the public testimony form to sign up to testify in person or virtually, or to submit written testimony on agenda items. Individuals can also use the forms available in the boardroom to sign up to testify on agenda items. The deadline to sign up to testify virtually for the next scheduled Thursday Board meeting is Wednesday at 4pm.

Hearing to Approve the Budget be sent to the TSCC -
Hearing to Adopt the Budget -

Budget Involvement Tips

Action	Tips
Testify at budget hearings	Cite the Program Offer number or name when possible Be clear about the need/request that you’re advocating for Request follow up with staff to share information Invite program graduates, community members, staff, ally organizations, etc.
Email priorities to Commission offices	It takes a majority vote to pass the budget (3 “yes” votes to approve anything) Request to meet with staff to share more information if desired Give them something to reference and include data, outcomes and relevant info when possible Include how your requests tie into the County’s mission and services
Coalition support through a letter, email, meeting, etc.	Support from multiple organizations shows community priority – the County funds services, typically not specific organizations or projects – “The County should be funding culturally-specific economic development programs” vs “Fund this [specific organization/program]” Consistent messaging is helpful for staff as they track down information internally
Brief Commissioners & staff on your priorities	Ask for feedback and a clear explanation if your priorities aren’t adopted in the final budget to inform your next advocacy strategy Engage departments leading up to the Requested budget, the Chair up to the Proposed budget, and the Chair and Commissioners up to the Adopted budget Share how the program is sustainable beyond the County’s financial involvement