Mayor Keith Wilson is optimistic that the City Council will restore $1.9 million to the Portland Police Bureau’s budget as they prepare to finalize the city’s upcoming $8.5 billion budget.
During a speech at the Portland Metro Chamber’s 2005 Annual Meeting on June 4, Wilson mentioned that an amendment is being drafted to reverse the late reduction approved by the council.
“The vote will happen next week and I’m hopeful it’s going to move forward,” Wilson stated, referencing the contentious nature of the budget approval that must be balanced before the commencement of the new fiscal year on July 1.
Public testimony will be gathered at a special council meeting on June 10 at 1 p.m., where citizens can express their opinions on the proposed budget.
The tentative budget will be available online starting June 6, leading up to the final vote scheduled for June 11, where minor alterations can still be made.
Among the most debated issues is the proposed $1.9 million transfer from the Portland Police Bureau to Portland Parks & Recreation, which passed with a close 7-5 vote shortly before the midnight deadline for tentative approval on May 21.
This funding, initially requested by Mayor Wilson, is intended to assist the PPB in filling 90 vacant positions.
The mayor emphasized the importance of enhancing public safety as part of the city’s economic recovery from the pandemic.
Following the transfer vote, Wilson expressed concern over how the reduction could affect efforts to recruit new law enforcement personnel that reflect and serve the community.
He further highlighted the critical need to address pressing public safety concerns, such as combating fentanyl distribution and human trafficking.
Wilson noted, “We’ve made improvements, but we can’t let our continuing high crime rates, response times, and livability issues go unaddressed.”
During a work session on May 28, council members continued to examine the implications of the funding transfer while revealing how resources designated for unfilled positions are currently allocated toward overtime costs, thus hampering the hiring of new officers.
Simultaneously, a protest against the PPB funding cut occurred in East Portland, organized by Future Portland, a grassroots group advocating for safety and livability.
Speakers from various community groups in Portland and Gresham shared their perspectives during the protest.
Former Portland police officer Eli Arnold voiced support for addressing the staffing issue caused by a steady decline in police presence over the past three decades.
He stated, “I think the mayor, very wisely, chose to try to address the staffing issue that took us three decades to build.
The city grew, but the number of police officers serving it declined.
I think we should follow his lead.
It’s a shortcoming that needs to be addressed because one of the fundamental tenets of community is that when you need help, there are people around you to offer it.”
Conversely, some community members spoke favorably about the parks funding, emphasizing the need for caution regarding police budget increases.
Sandy Chung, director of the ACLU of Oregon, raised a critical viewpoint during the discussions.
She remarked, “Every year Portland Police and police departments across the country keep asking for more and more money.
The United States has the highest number of people in our jails and prisons of any country in the world.
If funding our police made our communities safer, we should be the safest city and country in the world.”
As the June 11 vote approaches, the City Council faces significant pressure to balance competing demands on public safety funding while addressing community concerns.
image source from：https://portlandtribune.com/2025/06/04/city-council-to-take-more-testimony-on-portland-budget-on-june-10/
