5.20.26 Public Budget Hearing #3

The Multnomah County Board held its third and final public budget hearing on May 21, 2026, to gather community feedback on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget before adoption. The hearing featured extensive public testimony from community members and organizational representatives advocating for the preservation and restoration of funding for various social service programs. Key procurement-related discussions centered on budget allocations for programs such as the Sun Community Schools afterschool enrichment, mental health and substance use treatment programs like LifeWorks Northwest's REAL program, housing stability initiatives including eviction prevention legal services, workforce development programs, and culturally specific behavioral health services. Several speakers urged the board to restore or maintain funding for these programs, emphasizing their cost-effectiveness, community impact, and role in preventing more expensive interventions. There was also support for capital projects like the Chinese Memorial at Lone Fir Cemetery, with calls to prioritize funding for its completion. Public safety funding and the retail theft task force were also discussed, with appeals to sustain or increase budgets. No formal votes or motions were recorded during the hearing, as it was primarily a forum for public input. The hearing highlighted community priorities that could influence final budget decisions and future procurement opportunities in social services, housing, public safety, and cultural projects.