5.12.26 Budget Work Session #10

This Multnomah County Board budget work session held on May 13, 2026, focused on the Department of County Human Services (DCHS) budget for fiscal year 2027. Key procurement-related discussions included the impact of a $2.3 million reduction in the department's indirect rate, which affected administrative funding and necessitated budget cuts. The department's overall operating budget was noted at $543 million, with significant growth in the Preschool for All program. The session covered detailed budget allocations and reductions across DCHS divisions, including Aging, Disability, and Veteran Services (ADSV), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), and Youth and Family Services (YFS). Notable procurement and contracting topics included managing over 21,000 invoices for community-based organization contracts, reductions in contracted services such as eviction prevention and SUN Community Schools, and investments in emergency rent assistance programs leveraging Medicaid 1115 waiver funds. The board discussed challenges related to staffing, service delivery, and data integration projects aimed at improving case management efficiency. Several motions and budget adjustments were highlighted, including a $3.5 million ongoing county funding request for emergency rent assistance and a $1 million reinvestment to support housing services. The meeting also addressed policy impacts from federal regulations such as HR1 and emphasized equity considerations in budget decisions. Commissioners raised questions about geographic and demographic impacts of service reductions, coordination with other agencies, and the operational details of contracted programs. Overall, the session provided a comprehensive review of DCHS's budget priorities, constraints, and procurement-related decisions for the upcoming fiscal year.