Mayor Wheeler Proposes $6.7 Billion Budget Focused On Quality Of Life

Portland OR

04 May, 2022

6:48 PM

Description

PORTLAND, OR — Mayor Ted Wheeler announced a nearly $7 billion budget that aims to address three of Portland's top issues: the economy, homelessness and safety, the mayor said. The issues continually show up as the top concerns of Portland's residents and business owners, he said. The $6.7 billion budget is set to be officially unveiled on Thursday. Wheeler's budget contains just over $100 million from the American Rescue Plan Act and around $2 million in funds from the recreational cannabis tax. The budget calls for spending around $83 million for homeless services, around $36 million for public safety and roughly $23 million for economic recovery. The budget proposal includes: Around $1.3 million to streamline the process for developers to get permits for their projects.$11.5 million to turns the Portland Street Response program into a 24/7 operation.$32.8 million or the Joint Office of Homelessness Services.$3.9 million for body cameras for police officers.$5.2 million to maintain the affordable status for apartments that were set to revert to market cost.$36.2 million for the first two years of six Safe Rest villages.$13 million for gun violence prevention programs.$1.5 million to establish a citywide events office.$1.8 million for the Pars Bureau to hire more rangers.$3 million to hire more 911 operators and expand 311 services. Wheeler's proposed budget is the start of a process that includes public hearings and a vote of the city council.