Portland City Administrator Michael Jordan recently attempted to adjust city rules to facilitate a housing subsidy for Reginald Freeman, who was being considered for the fire chief position. Jordan proposed this ‘carve-in’ residency bonus on top of Freeman’s initially offered salary of $247,520, which also included a $10,000 relocation stipend.
This additional 5% premium would have raised Freeman’s annual earnings to $259,896, positioning him among the city’s highest-paid employees, according to payroll data.
The push for this financial incentive was made after Freeman requested housing assistance, just days after he accepted the job offer in a public acknowledgment on Instagram.
Despite these efforts, Freeman ultimately declined the position, leading to the city’s announcement of a runner-up being hired instead.
These developments were uncovered through emails obtained by The Oregonian/OregonLive via a public records request. The correspondence reveals the significant authority held by the City Administrator in key hiring decisions following the recent changes to Portland’s government structure, which now allows for unilateral amendments to administrative rules without needed City Council approval.
Initially, city officials withheld the email exchange, citing exemptions under state disclosure laws. However, this decision was reversed just three days after an appeal was filed with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, prompting the release of the records.
Deputy City Attorney Sarah Ames acknowledged the city’s missteps, stating they acted in urgency and failed to adhere to established processes.
Explaining Jordan’s rationale for accommodating a specific employee, spokesperson Cody Bowman noted the rare circumstances of recruiting senior leaders from international positions.
This controversy has raised concerns among some city leaders regarding the oversight of the administrator’s selection process, as noted by Councilor Steve Novick, co-chair of the Portland City Council’s public safety committee.
The City officially began its search for a new fire chief in March, following the retirement of Chief Ryan Gillespie. From a pool of nine candidates, Freeman and Lauren Johnson, an assistant chief in Dallas, emerged as the final two.
Freeman boasts a diverse career spanning various states and sectors, having held positions in both the public and private sectors, including his role as fire chief in Oakland, California, where he served for two years before departing in 2023.
In a more recent role, Freeman has worked as a public safety executive in Neom, a high-profile city being developed in northwest Saudi Arabia despite ongoing allegations of labor and human rights violations.
During the interview process, both candidates were brought to Portland in early June to meet with city officials and interact with members of the Portland firefighters union, as well as meet with Novick.
On June 17, the city extended a job offer to Freeman, who promptly signed the acceptance letter. Just three days later, he shared an Instagram post hinting at his excitement for the new role.
However, Freeman expressed hesitation in an email to the city’s deputy human resources director, Ron Zito, on June 23. He explained that he had overlooked a request for housing assistance, which he believed was critical given his family’s living situation in Connecticut.
Freeman mentioned that his wife and daughters would continue living in Connecticut while he settled into Portland, which would result in significant financial pressure due to maintaining two households.
Zito later informed Freeman that Jordan was willing to amend city rules to include the housing subsidy for him, a move intended to creatively satisfy his concerns.
Freeman expressed appreciation for the potential offer but ultimately decided to withdraw from the position.
He indicated that maintaining dual residences for an extended period presented too great a financial risk for his family, despite his desire to take on the role.
In hindsight, Freeman acknowledged the need to have discussed his housing concerns with city officials before formally accepting the job offer, attributing his oversight to excitement.
As the situation stands, Lauren Johnson from Dallas will step into the role of chief at Portland Fire & Rescue, beginning on August 18, with a salary slightly lower than that which was offered to Freeman, and she had not requested the housing subsidy.
The unfolding story has prompted calls for greater transparency and scrutiny in the hiring processes of city leaders, particularly under the newly adopted governance model that empowers the city administrator significantly.
image source from：oregonlive
