10.15.26 Regular Meeting

The Multnomah County Board’s regular meeting on October 16, 2026, included a briefing on the county fleet decarbonization strategy. Staff described an EV-first, not EV-only, draft purchasing procedure that would prioritize battery-electric vehicles when suitable and otherwise favor the most fuel-efficient option, with documented exceptions. The county has 53 chargers at 10 locations, including 16 dedicated to fleet use, and is initiating charging infrastructure work at the Juvenile Justice Center using FY2027 board funding and incentives through PGE’s fleet partner program. Staff said the transition will require upfront investment, could take a decade or more, and would proceed largely through the fleet’s roughly 10-year replacement cycle; the briefing did not include a total cost estimate or a vote to adopt the strategy.

Staff recommended an enterprise task force to set interim emissions targets, develop department-specific plans, assess workforce training needs, prioritize pilot projects, and pursue grants and partnerships. A resolution affirming the strategy is expected to come before the board in about two weeks. In other remarks, a commissioner raised concerns about regional vanpool funds going to Enterprise Rent-A-Car; public testimony also cited an estimated $26 million cost associated with a county return-to-office initiative, which staff said was not final. No procurement award or vendor selection was made during the meeting.