5.6.26 Budget Work Session #7

The Multnomah County Board held a budget work session on May 6, 2026, focusing extensively on the Health Department's fiscal year 2027 budget. The session included detailed presentations on budget constraints, reductions, reallocations, and strategic priorities amid declining federal and state funding and increasing community needs. Key procurement-related discussions involved the administration of over 600 contracts with community-based organizations, reductions in contractual services funding, and efforts to improve operational efficiencies in contract management. The Health Department outlined a $503.8 million proposed budget, reflecting decreases driven by federal grant losses and general fund constraints, with significant FTE reductions and reallocations to sustain critical services such as overdose prevention, corrections health, and culturally specific programs. The Corrections Health division highlighted budget adjustments including elimination of the Transition Services Program, reallocations to cover high-cost medical care, and investments in medication-supported recovery. The meeting also addressed challenges in staffing, contract administration, and maintaining service quality under fiscal pressures. An amendment was proposed to seek improved facilities for day center services in North Portland, offset by workforce investment cuts. Overall, the session emphasized balancing fiscal discipline with equity-driven service delivery and sustaining essential public health functions.