Dear friends and neighbors,
Earlier this month, the USDA announced it will not use contingency funds set aside for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to maintain SNAP past today, October 31.
Oregon, 24 other states, and Washington, D.C. are suing the federal government so that it will continue to fund the program. They have asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to rule by today on a motion to compel the administration to tap contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits in November. But as I write this, I don’t know how that judge will rule.
According to Oregon Food Bank, 1 in 8 people and 1 in 6 kids in Oregon and Southwest Washington face food insecurity. In Multnomah County, nearly 1 in 5 of us rely on SNAP benefits. A lot of people in our county are at risk of going hungry.
If you need food resources, here are some options. If you have the ability, you can also donate funds and foods to these organizations; learn how through their web links.
- Oregon Food Bank: Use their Food Finder Map to find over 100 food pantries, free food markets, or hot meal programs near you.
- Urban Gleaners: 20+ free markets with food provided by Urban Gleaners.
- Feed'em Freedom: The Black Community Food Center/Food Pantry is open three days a week.
- Milk Crate Kitchen: Provides cooked family meals twice a month via home delivery and in-person pick up.
- Equitable Giving Circle: Weekly Free Market Pop Up for Black & Brown Folks.
- Blanchet House: Offers three free meals a day Monday-Saturday.
Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list. There are also many area coffee shops and restaurants that are offering free meals, no questions asked.
Let's keep showing up for one another for all of our communities.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Apply to be a Salary Commissioner
I’m seeking two community members to serve on the 2026 Salary Commission. These two individuals will join three returning Salary Commissioners. Salary Commissioners must be qualified human resource professionals with compensation experience.
The Salary Commission sets the salaries for the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners, County Commissioners, and the Sheriff, and the County-paid supplemental salary of the District Attorney.
The Salary Commission will begin meeting in January 2026. All of the Commission's meetings will include an option to participate remotely using google meet, or that the meetings will be entirely remote. The Commission usually meets twice a month for five or six months; Commissioners may choose to meet more frequently.
If you want to be a part of setting the salaries for the county’s elected officials, you can apply through November 14. If you know someone who meets the qualifications, please let them know about this opportunity!
This month, my office issued the investigatory report Waste: Inadequate oversight means the county cannot verify recycling rates on four major construction projects. This investigation took place after we received a tip to the Good Government Hotline alleging that inaccurate reporting of construction waste recycling was occurring on library construction projects.
The investigation focused on major construction projects to renovate and expand the Albina, Midland, and North Portland libraries, and to rebuild the Holgate Library. City of Portland code and county policy require construction projects to recycle 75% of construction waste. LEED green building standard certification points for construction waste are gained for recycling at 50% and 75% thresholds. The office determined that some construction waste recycling data the county relied upon was inaccurate and unreliable, and could not be used toward the calculation of overall construction waste recycling rates for the projects.
Based on the investigation, only the Albina project achieved at least a 75% recycling rate, complied with City of Portland code and county policy, and will be eligible for two LEED certification points. The Midland project achieved at least a 50% recycling rate and is eligible for one LEED certification point. The other two projects met none of the recycling requirements.
County leadership indicated it will enact my office’s recommendations to provide oversight and ensure that contractors and their subs are compliant with county recycling standards.
Having a better budget process for the Auditor’s Office
This month, I presented to the Board of County Commissioners on an opportunity to align how the county sets the budget for the Auditor’s Office with the county’s stated value of accountability.
I noted two main problems with the current way the Auditor’s budget is proposed. First, there is an inherent conflict of interest between the roles of the Chair and Auditor. And second, the current process does not reflect best practices for funding an audit organization.
I explained how the Board could implement a budget process for the Auditor’s Office that is free of the current conflict of interest, is aligned with international best practices, and reflects the county’s commitment to accountable government. This mechanism is a set allocation of the county’s General Fund expenditures budget. You can watch this portion of the Board meeting here.
Welcome Gelsi Tuz-Uxul
Gelsi Tuz-Uxul, ombudsperson intake specialist, began her journey in the office in 2023 as a communications and engagement intern, subsequently transitioning into her current role in fall of 2025. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications and community engagement with a minor in digital media, and a master’s degree candidate of business administration in organizational leadership, graduating summer of 2026. As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, she is dedicated to serving historically underserved communities and empowering individuals by uplifting their voices. Her driving purpose is to foster community service that creates meaningful, lasting change for an equitable society. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, and finding local neighborhood favorites in Portland, Oregon.
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Community Engagement
Portland Farmers Market - Lents Farmers Market
We participated in our second Lents International Farmers Market! Multnomah County Ombudsperson Cheryl Taylor, Director Nicole Dewees, Senior Auditor Mandi Hood, Performance Auditor Mical Yohannes, and Constituent Relations & DEI Engagement Specialist Raymond De Silva shared office resources and reports with community members, in the SE Portland neighborhood.
Invite Auditor McGuirk to attend an event or meeting
If you’d like me and or staff to attend or speak at a meeting with your community group, simply fill out this form.