Chair Cogen's priorities include prevention, innovation, diversity and equity, sustainability and collaboration.
On Thursday, May 13 at the regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen released his Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2010/2011 (FY2011). Taking the helm during Multnomah County’s 10th consecutive year of budget cuts, Cogen aligned his budget proposals with targeted initiatives aimed to lower ongoing costs to county taxpayers by promoting community health, social equity and innovation.Links to Cogen’s budget message and the complete contents of the budget can be found here.
“This budget reflects my belief that government can best support its community by first protecting the most vulnerable citizens and helping people realize their potential,” Cogen said. “The need for our services has risen dramatically due to the economy and we need to prioritize helping those most in need and protecting public safety.”The budget includes a total of $336.4 million in discretionary General Fund allocations, out of a $1.4 billion dollar total, to provide the county’s 715,000 residents with a wide range of health and human services, public safety, libraries, roads, bridges and other community services.
Chair Cogen’s proposal concentrates spending around priorities including basic needs, public safety, prevention and intervention, and initiatives such as diversity and equity, sustainability, and working smarter. Highlights in these areas include expanding health and dental care in East Multnomah County, furthering efforts to combat hunger and homelessness, mental health and addictions treatment, gang and domestic violence prevention, supporting healthier lifestyle choices, ensuring a diverse workforce, waste prevention and recycling, and making business practices more efficient.Chair Cogen began work on the Executive Budget in March after former Chair Ted Wheeler was appointed State Treasurer and Cogen was appointed by unanimous vote of the board to serve as Chair. In crafting his FY2011 Executive Budget, Chair Cogen faced a General Fund deficit of $5.4 million. Additional reductions in county funding from the State of Oregon are anticipated for Fiscal Year 2011/12.
The Chair’s Executive Budget is a balanced budget as required by state law, and serves as a policy document and fiscal plan for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011. The Executive Budget is a starting point for the community dialogue that will take place over the coming months.Members of the Board of County Commissioners will deliberate the contents of the proposed budget in the weeks to come, considering public comment and testimony, and will formally adopt a budget at their regular meeting on June 10, 2010.
Multnomah County commissioners will hold a series of hearings during late May and June to hear input and testimony from the public on the county’s budget.Hearing dates, times and locations:
- May 25: 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), 10301 NE Glisan, Portland
- May 27: 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Multnomah County East - 600 NE 8th Street, Gresham
- June 2: 6:00-8:00 p.m.: Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland