Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson has unveiled a proposed budget plan totaling $4 billion, which includes significant cuts to various programs and the elimination of over 100 positions.
The proposal arrives in the wake of earlier announcements regarding the county’s Homeless Services Department, which faced a staggering $104 million deficit due to the loss of short-term funding.
Recent adjustments have reduced this gap to $60 million, as noted in the latest budget report.
During an appearance on OPB’s ‘Think Out Loud,’ Vega Pederson articulated her rationale behind the budget cuts.
She emphasized the priority of programs that deliver direct services with strong outcomes, particularly for marginalized communities.
“When we’re looking at such cuts across the county, it didn’t seem right to fund a new program at the expense of other ongoing programs,” she said.
Her remarks follow criticism from Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, who described the proposal as a step backward.
At a press conference, he expressed concern, stating, “She’s doubling down on some very failed issues that we’ve had in this community, and she’s taking it out of our core funding, our general fund, instead of funding our district attorney’s office.”
Vasquez highlighted the growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County, urging elected officials to respond appropriately.
Despite reallocating general fund dollars to the Homeless Services Department, he noted, “we still have a 22% decrease in our homeless services budget compared to what we have in the previous year.”
Vega Pederson countered this narrative by stating her commitment to prioritizing investments in community safety.
“I tried to prioritize our investments in community safety, whether it was around our parole and probation, the District Attorney’s office only being asked to do a 3% cut, the sheriff’s office and jails, none,” she asserted.
In an effort to bolster the district attorney’s resources, she mentioned rolling approximately $2.2 million of one-time expenses into ongoing funds, thus securing ongoing funding for 10 or 11 positions in the DA’s budget.
“That’s going to be built into his budget now from here ongoing. It will always be part of his continuing service level budget, and so those positions are locked in,” she explained.
The proposed budget also addresses the county’s commitment to opening new sobering beds and a sobering shelter, which Vega Pederson described as a necessary addition to the community.
“Sobering beds are something that has been needed in our community for several years. It’s about five years since the last one closed in 2019,” she remarked.
She highlighted the importance of these resources for individuals struggling with intoxication, providing an alternative to emergency departments, jails, or remaining on the streets.
Vega Pederson concluded by asserting that the new sobering beds will make a visible difference in the lives of individuals seeking recovery and the overall condition of the community.
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