Charter Review Committee FAQs

What is the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee?

The most common way to amend the Charter is through the Charter Review Committee (CRC). The Charter itself requires that a CRC made up of community members be convened every six years to perform a comprehensive study of the Charter. Regular reviews of the Charter are intended to ensure that the document remains consistent with the community’s values and needs. The CRC’s goal is to assess whether there are changes to the Charter it thinks would better align it with those values and needs. If the CRC believes changes are needed, it can propose Charter amendments that the Board will submit to the voters of Multnomah County to decide via ballot.

What is the role of the Charter Review Committee?

The ultimate goal of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) is to comprehensively study the charter and to draft a final report to the people of Multnomah County and the Board of County Commissioners with their findings, conclusions, and recommendations, including any amendments they propose to the charter at least 95 days before the primary of general election of 2028. The study of the charter could include consulting subject-matter experts and the public. The CRC evaluates their findings to identify any potential improvements or changes. The CRC will report to the people and the Board their findings, conclusions, and recommendations at least 95 days before the primary or general election of 2028. While Multnomah County offers small stipends for reimbursements associated with participation, the Charter Review Committee member role is voluntary and unpaid.

How does the Charter Review Committee make recommendations?

The Charter Review Committee (CRC) decides how to structure its work. Past CRCs have made recommendations through a structured, multi-phase process involving deep study and research, public engagement and input, and formal voting before sending a final report to the Board of County Commissioners. 

What happens if the Charter Review Committee makes recommendations to amend the Charter?

It is very common for charter review committees to recommend amendments. Proposed amendments sometimes have a smaller scope, such as making charter language gender neutral. Other proposed amendments can lead to large structural changes, such as changing voting practices or Board structure. The Charter Review Committee (CRC) is required to report its findings, including any recommended amendments, to the Board of County Commissioners at least 95 days before the primary or general elections, or both. The Charter requires that all amendments recommended by the CRC be submitted to Multnomah County voters, so the next amendments will appear on the 2028 primary or general election ballot. If a proposed amendment receives over 50% of voters’ support, then the charter is amended.

Does the Board have to approve the Charter Review Committee’s proposed amendments?

No, the Board of County Commissioners does not have to approve the Charter Review Committee's proposed amendments. The charter requires the Board to submit all amendments proposed by the committee directly to Multnomah County voters on the primary or general election ballot.

Who supports the Charter Review Committee? 

The Multnomah County Office of Community Involvement (OCI) manages the Charter Review Committee (CRC) process. The OCI:

• Oversees the application process
• Recruits a diverse pool of applicants from across the County.
• Organizes and staffs all committee meetings
• Leads public outreach and education
• Ensures all engagement efforts align with the County’s commitment to equity and inclusion

The County Attorney’s Office (CAO) provides guidance on process and procedure. Their role includes offering legal opinions on the committee’s authority and legal constraints on proposed amendments. They also draft the text of any proposed charter amendments and associated ballot titles and explanatory statements resulting from the committee's recommendations.

The Chair’s Office and Chief Operating Officer’s Office provide research support to the CRC. This may include access to dedicated staff, subject matter experts, and historical data. This helps committee members make informed recommendations.

Are Charter Review Committee members considered public officials?

Yes, for purposes of state ethics laws, once appointed, a Charter Review Committee member is considered a public official who must 

comply with state ethics laws, including disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. To learn more, refer to the Office of Community Involvement’s resources for volunteers serving as public officials. 

Regular committee meetings are subject to public meeting laws (i.e., they must provide notice of meetings and keep minutes). Applicable public meeting laws for subcommittee meetings will depend on what the authority of the subcommittees is. Public records law will also apply.

With a few exceptions, all government records of any kind are considered public records. A public record is any record with information about the work of public business that is prepared, owned, used or kept by a public body. Any member of the public can request records from Multnomah County. 

All materials created or used by the Committee will be in the public record. (See: State of Oregon Public Records)  

How do I apply to the Charter Review Committee?

Applications for the Charter Review Committee will be accepted July 1-Oct, 1, 2026. Applications will be accepted online, as well as over email, postal mail, and in person. Applications will be available on the Apply Page by July 1st, 2026.  

Who is eligible to serve on the Charter Review Committee? 

Only electors of Multnomah County are eligible to serve on the Charter Review Committee (CRC). Applicants must be residents of a Multnomah County district. Districts can be determined by searching an address in this interactive map. In addition, applicants must be qualified to vote in Multnomah County elections. 

The following persons are not eligible for appointment to the committee: state senators and state representatives who represent districts located in Multnomah County, the Chair and members of the Board of County Commissioners serving at the time of appointment, people younger than 18, and people who are not citizens. State, County and other local government employees are eligible.

What is the time commitment to serve on the Charter Review Committee?

Serving on the Charter Review Committee (CRC) is a significant commitment. Membership involves about 18 months of service. The CRC will meet once or twice a month for two hours in the evening. This may also include participating in subcommittee meetings. In addition, there is an expectation that CRC members will spend five to 12 hours a month outside of meetings to read reports, study the current county charter, engage the public, and prepare draft recommendations. 

The CRC will kick off in February 2027 with a weekend orientation and onboarding retreat, and convene its first general meeting in March 2027. 

The CRC will spend 12-14 months conducting research, which may include facilitating community engagement, and generating public input to inform an evaluation of the county charter. The CRC will present its findings and proposed amendments to the Board of County Commissioners in the spring or fall of 2028. Proposed changes will appear on the 2028 primary or general election ballot.

What do you look for in an applicant?

• Knowledge of Multnomah County: knowledge of governance; role of elected officials; County functions, programs, services, and relationship to other jurisdictions
• Understanding of charter review process: understanding of scope of work (home rule charter), approach to process (study and inquiry), participant expectations (commitment and responsibilities), comfort with high-profile projects (media and public)
• History of community involvement: participation in formal/informal groups, experience working with others on local community issues and across differences, demonstrated history of collaboration
• Communities served: lived and learned experience with communities most impacted by Multnomah County’s programs and services
• Mission and values: alignment with County values like accountability; social and environmental justice; equity and inclusion; and safety and wellbeing - as foundational to Multnomah County's mission to provide accessible, high-quality, and innovative public services that create stability, enhance opportunities, and reduce disparities
• Civic inquiry oriented: interest and comfort with community-led inquiry (qualitative and participatory): commitment to hearing other perspectives, working with others to examine multi-issue problems, identifying pressing community needs, and determining what may be addressed through charter reform

How were the criteria and application questions developed?

Evaluation criteria and application questions are currently in development. The Office of Community Involvement is tasked with developing the Charter Review Committee (CRC) criteria and application questions. OCI is currently developing them in collaboration with the Multnomah County Chair, Board of County Commissioners, the Community Involvement Committee, and other County staff. Past Multnomah County CRC criteria and applications, as well as those of other jurisdictions, are also used to inform this effort. 

What is expected of me as a Charter Review Committee member?

• Attend Meetings: Attendance is required for regular monthly committee meetings and subcommittee meetings. Meetings are often held on weekday evenings.
• Conduct Research: Significant time is spent outside of meetings reading reports, studying materials including the current county charter, as well as preparing draft observations, findings, and questions.
• Public Input: Members are expected to consult subject matter experts and the public through activities like: open hearings, community meetings, focus groups, interviews, and other civic inquiry methods to expand their understanding of issues and inform their decisions.
• Representation: CRC members are expected to engage with the broader community and listen to diverse perspectives. CRC members also accept that this is a public facing role and may attract public and media attention.
• Ethics: Once appointed, CRC members are public officials for purposes of state ethics law and must comply with those laws, including disclosing any potential or actual conflicts of interest.
• Collaboration: Appointed community members are expected to work collaboratively throughout the Charter Review process. This includes being open minded, active listening, problem solving, participating in discussions, and supporting the engagement of other CRC members.

How will members be selected for the Charter Review Committee?

The Charter Review Committee (CRC) has up to four community members from each county district. The Office of Community Involvement (OCI) administers the CRC application and evaluation process. The County Chair appoints CRC members for each district with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners. Only electors of Multnomah County are eligible to serve on the charter review committee. 

Can I serve on the Charter Review Committee and be anonymous? 

No. Charter Review Committee (CRC) members are public officials and, as such, agree to a certain level of transparency with the public. As a CRC member, your name and district will be posted on the website, and you will be expected to attend public meetings. Your name will also be on minutes and other documents in the public record, which is searchable and requestable by anyone. This committee may also attract significant public and media attention.

Do Charter Review Committee members receive a stipend?

Yes, Charter Review Committee members will be offered a $50 stipend per meeting for participating in general and subcommittee meetings to reimburse expenses related to volunteering. 

Will meetings be in-person, virtual or hybrid?

The meeting locations and formats will be determined based on the interest, comfort, and needs of the committee members and program manager. 

What technology will I use as a Charter Review Committee member?

The Charter Review Committee (CRC) uses email to communicate and all members are asked to either have or be willing to set up an email account. The CRC uses Google Drive to store, share, and edit documents as a group in accordance with and to the extent allowed by public meetings law. PDF or printed documents are also available, as is some training and technical support on how to use Google Drive and Google Documents. The CRC uses Google Meets for online meetings and remote options for hybrid meetings, and members are expected to be able to join on video or phone. The Office of Community Involvement has laptops and hotspots available to borrow, and staff are able to provide basic technical support for learning technology. Additional technology support, as well as free internet and printing, is available with the Multnomah County Library. Please contact the Office of Community Involvement if you have questions.

What happens if I am no longer able to serve?

Charter Review Committee (CRC) members are able to resign their position by contacting the Charter Review Program Coordinator or another member of the Office of Community Involvement staff. One alternate will be selected for each district who will attend CRC meetings and step in if one of the members needs to resign. Outside of the selected alternates, vacancies on the CRC cannot be filled after March 2027. Additional vacancies beyond one per district will go unfilled for the rest of the CRC process.

What happens if I move to a different Multnomah County district during my service?

Generally, Charter Review Committee (CRC) members must reside in the district they are appointed to represent in Multnomah County. However, a CRC member who moves between commissioner districts after appointment may continue to serve on the committee.

How can I share information about this process with my community? 

Please share these webpages and the flier with your community! To request additional translations of materials and/or a presentation to your community group, contact the Office of Community Involvement at: community.involvement@multco.us.

Who can I reach out to if I have more questions or concerns?

For questions about the Multnomah County Charter Review process email the Office of Community Involvement at: community.involvement@multco.us.