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(He/Him) councilor.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov

Bluesky @councilordunphy Instagram @councilorjamiedunphy

Policy Preview:

Budget, Budget, Budget…

It’s that time of the year again! The Portland City Council is working with Mayor Wilson to examine what the current service levels Portlanders receive from their City government, and what areas we will have to cut to balance our budget this year. We have to cut over $160million out of our budget because of lower tax collections and such. But what does all this mean, anyway?

How the City Budget Works

Just like your household budget, the City of Portland must make careful choices about how to spend its limited resources each year. The City budget is a yearly plan that runs on a fiscal year that spans from July 1st through June 30th. This plan outlines how much revenue the City expects to receive, and how it will be spent to service the community. Funded by sources like taxes, utility bills, and service fees, the budget supports essential services such as water and sewer systems, transportation, public safety, and parks. Community input plays an important role in shaping these priorities, ensuring City investments reflect what matters most to Portlanders.

Unlike your household budget, most City funding is restricted, meaning it can only be used for specific purposes. Some dollars are “one-time only” resources which cannot pay for staff, while others are “ongoing” resources which can. A smaller portion is unrestricted funding, such as the general fund, which gives the City more flexibility to fund services like parks, police, and fire. Because these flexible dollars are limited and demand continues to grow, City leaders try to have thoughtful discussions each year to decide where these limited dollars will be spent most effectively.

What it Means to Balance the Budget

By law, the City of Portland must balance its budget each year, meaning we cannot spend more than we bring in. When revenue decreases, the City may need to reduce costs through program reductions or staff/service cuts. When revenue increases, there’s opportunity to expand services. Like a household adjusting to a change in income, City leaders must make tough trade-offs during revenue decreases to ensure essential services are preserved.

Budget Timeline

Portland starts developing our next budget almost immediately after approving our previous budget. The process formally begins in the early Fall and is finalized by June 30th for the new fiscal year beginning on July 1st. We start with early preparation including revenue estimates and priority setting, which informs the Current Service Level (CSL) budget forecast. From there, the Mayor releases his proposed budget, and the City Council will then review, amend, and adopt the final budget.

• What’s happened so far: Budget preparation has completed, and the CSL forecast is released and under review.
• What’s coming up: The Mayor is set to release the proposed budget on April 20th, one week after a District 1 Budget Open House on April 13th. Council deliberation will begin in May and the budget will be adopted in June.

With key milestones approaching, the coming months will shape how resources are allocated for the year ahead and determine the scope of services the City can provide. Please reach out to our office with any budget-related feedback you may have, your voice plays an important role in this process! You can also find upcoming budget events here, and stay tuned for further engagement opportunities.

A Message from Council President Dunphy:

It should be easier, faster, and cheaper to build in Portland.

That has been a major guiding principle for me over the past 15 months that I have been in office. As one of the only City Councilors who has owned and operated a brick-and-mortar small business (my wife and I ran a coffee shop called Lovecup in the Sellwood neighborhood for over five years), I have a unique understanding of how hard it is to get anything permitted in this city. The complication, the cost, the overlapping requirements and inconsistent direction from staff, and a culture of “no” has defined Portland’s permitting system for decades. And when times were good, and profits were up, people grumbled about it, but they dealt with it. Those good times are over now, there are no cranes in the sky, and very few permits being issued for new development. This is a perfect time for us to stop and reconsider what we’re asking from folks who want to build here.

Last year, I worked with Councilor Morillo on the Code Alignment Project (CAP) 1.0. This was a series of “low-hanging fruit” for the Council to suspend some of those requirements. We took care of some duplications and some conflicts. But that was just a first step.

This year, despite the Council Presidency diminishing my capacity for policy work, I will prioritize the next step in this process. For CAP 2.0, we’re going to ask the bureaus to dig into some of the more complicated, wonky, and often unsexy details. Using data and information from past permit holders, we’re digging into the areas that are causing the biggest and most expensive delays. We need to fix the fact that codes are written by one bureau and implemented by another, leading to a lot of confusion across the board. We need to clarify who is in charge of our permitting and who can demand results out of which permit-issuers. It is no longer acceptable for the City to point fingers at a different department for delays or decisions.

We don’t need to have the fastest, cheapest, or most efficient permitting system in the country. But could we at least be comparable to our neighbors in Gresham, Milwaukie, Beaverton, or Hillsboro?

We’ll be bringing CAP 2.0 forward soon to move us beyond small fixes by creating a dedicated Code Team to tackle complex process and code challenges, address their root causes, and drive continuous improvement over time. It won’t solve all of our development woes. But it’s a great time for us to get our house in order.

Dunphy in the Community:

District 1 City Club Townhall

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who joined us for the “Meet Your City Councilors” program hosted by the City Club of Portland at the Sokhom Tauch Community Center at IRCO.

It was a pleasure to participate alongside Councilors Avalos and Smith and to connect with so many community members from across District 1. We had a strong turnout representing a wide range of neighborhoods, and the conversation was thoughtful, informative, and engaging throughout the evening.

Opportunities to hear directly from you, answer questions, and discuss the issues shaping our communities are incredibly valuable. I’m grateful to City Club for hosting and to everyone who helped make the event possible.

If you missed it or would like to revisit the discussion, a recording is available on City Club’s YouTube channel.

Thank you again for being part of the conversation!

District 1 Community Townhall

Following the recent City Club town hall, the District 1 Councilors came together again on March 21st to host a second, less formal community conversation in the Centennial neighborhood at Friends Share Community Space. The event was intentionally unmoderated, creating space for an open, candid Q&A where community members could share their perspectives and ask questions freely. Conversations covered a range of pressing topics, including housing, public safety, shifting responsibilities, and the city budget. We’re grateful to everyone who joined and contributed to a thoughtful discussion. It is a tough time for many folks, and I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation next month at the District 1 Budget Open House.

District 1 Budget Open House

I invite you to join me with Mayor Wilson, City Administrator Lee, and my colleagues Councilors Avalos and Smith for a District 1 Budget Open House!

• Date: Monday, April 13th, 2026
• Time: 6:00-8:00PM
• Location: Sacramento Elementary School Gymnasium (11400 NE Sacramento Street)

This drop-in event is part of a citywide effort to hear directly from Portlanders as we shape the City’s budget. There’s no formal program, so just stop by when you can to visit the topic areas that matter most to you and share your perspective!

You’ll find interactive stations focused on key community priorities, including:

• Vibrant, Safe, and Inclusive Communities
• Housing and Homelessness
• Economic Development
• Arts and Culture
• Environment and Sustainability
• Effective, Efficient, and Equitable Government

Each station offers a chance to join a conversation, highlight shared priorities, and help inform the decisions ahead.

Your input is essential to this process, and I hope to see you there. Additional opportunities to engage in the City’s budget will be announced soon!

Rosewood’s Small Business Tech Hub

A major new resource for small business owners has arrived in East Portland. The Rosewood Initiative, with support from the Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission and Comcast, has launched a new “Lift Zone” at the Rosewood Community Center, creating a dedicated space for entrepreneurs to access technology, training, and support.

Located at 14127 SE Stark St, the Tech Hub is designed to serve home-based and emerging small business owners who may not have access to high-speed internet, professional equipment, or dedicated workspace.

This space will offer:

• Workshops and training: Skill building workshops and classes focused on topics like digital marketing and social media for businesses, tech skills, product photography, bookkeeping, and tax prep.
• One-on-one support: Matching entrepreneurs with a small business liaison from Prosper Portland's office of small business.
• Technology access: Drop-in hours for small business owners to use high speed internet, desktop and laptop computers, a photo studio with professional equipment, and business software. 

The Rosewood Initiative, founded in 2009 to address longstanding inequities in East Portland, sees the Tech Hub as a lasting community asset. This site joins more than 1,250 Lift Zones nationwide, part of Comcast’s broader effort to expand digital access and economic opportunity through its Project UP initiative. By combining connectivity, training, and local partnerships, the Rosewood Lift Zone aims to support a more resilient and inclusive small business community in East Portland.

Centennial School Visit

I recently visited educators at Powell Butte Elementary School to hear directly from the frontline staff who care for and teach our children  in Centennial classrooms every day. The conversation brought together teachers, counselors, and union leaders, all sharing insights on what supports are most needed to ensure students and classrooms remain a top priority.

The visit was followed by a major milestone for the Centennial School District, where educators reached and ratified a new contract. One of the key outcomes include improvements to elementary class size thresholds, an important step toward creating more supportive and effective learning environments for young students. I stand in solidarity with our teachers, our unions, and our students.

Opportunities of the Month:

Free Spring Kids Programs

We’re excited to share a set of free, creative opportunities for 4th and 5th graders in the Powellhurst-Gilbert area! These engaging spring programs are designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and connect young people with professional artists and their community.

The Community Vision Saturday Series is offering one more session option: April 4th, 11th, and 18th, from 10:30 AM–12:00 PM. Participants will explore storytelling through film photography, collage, and creative expression, all while working alongside experienced artists. Students will also have the opportunity to showcase their work in May at Midland Library.

All programming takes place at Arte Soleil (5530 SE 122nd Ave, Portland).

Space is limited, so we encourage families to register soon!

If you have questions or need support signing up, please reach out to info@freeartsnw.org.

We hope to see your young artists this spring!

Arts Alive Festival

Mark your calendars, Arts Alive 2026 is coming back on August 15th for its fourth year of creative community celebration! This free, all-ages festival invites neighbors, families, and artists alike to gather for an afternoon filled with music, art, and joyful connection.

Hosted by Free Arts NW and Arte Soleil, this year’s event will have an exciting lineup of live musicians, artists, activities, and more for all ages. From an artist marketplace to face painting and food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Applications are now open for those interested in participating as vendors, performers, or volunteers! Click here for the application form. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with responses typically sent within one week. Selected vendors will have five days to confirm participation and submit their booth fee.

We hope to see you there for a day of creativity, connection, and community celebration!

SOLVE April Event

Join SOLVE for a community clean-up in Lents and along the I-205 Multi-Use Path! This effort will also be supported by the Ground Score Association, whose members bring valuable experience in waste diversion, environmental stewardship, and advocacy for unhoused neighbors.

Together, volunteers will help remove litter, care for shared public spaces, and support a cleaner, more sustainable Portland.

Event Details:

• Meeting Location: Flipside Bar and Carts parking lot (look for SOLVE signs)
• Address: 9320 SE Woodstock Blvd
• Time: 11:00AM-1:00PM

Getting There:

• Street and lot parking available
• TriMet stop at SE Woodstock & 92nd (routes 10, 14, 73, 86), about a 2-minute walk

What to Know:

• Advance registration is encouraged to secure a spot, though walk-ups are welcome
• Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
• Bring a reusable water bottle; tools are welcome if you have them
• SOLVE will provide gloves, litter grabbers, bags, and safety vests
• Restrooms are available on-site

Additional Information:

• Recommended for ages 13 and up
• Area may have limited accessibility for those with mobility concerns
• Translation services will not be available at this event

Come out, meet your neighbors, and make a tangible difference in the community!

Unite & Rise: Standing up for our Community

The League of Women Voters’ upcoming Community Education program will spotlight three inspiring local leaders working to protect vulnerable communities and defend democratic values. Among them is Emma Jenson, my amazing Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, who brings over a decade of experience in voter education and empowering underrepresented voices.

Joining Emma are Reyna Lopez of PCUN and Marirose Piciucco of the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition. Together, the panel will share insights on the challenges they face and the actions they’re taking to support and strengthen communities across the Portland region.

This free virtual event is open to the public and will also be recorded for later viewing.

BOEC User Board Positions

The Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) is seeking three community members to join its User Board, an advisory group shaping policies, budgets, and improvements to emergency response services across Portland and East County. BOEC serves as Multnomah County’s 911 call center, and community representatives will play a key role in bringing lived experience and community perspective to discussions on topics like call response times, public safety investments, and system improvements.

Applicants with experience or interest in public safety, mental health, social services, equity, disability access, or community advocacy are especially encouraged.

What to expect:

• Quarterly meetings (approx. 2 hours; additional optional committee work)
• Opportunities to advise city leadership and influence 911 services

Apply here by April 19, 2026!

Portland Utility Board Recruitment

The Portland Utility Board (PUB) is accepting applications until April 1st, 2026 for a community member position beginning July 1, 2026! PUB serves as an oversight and advisory body to City Council and leadership across the Public Works Service Area, including the Bureau of Environmental Services and the Portland Water Bureau. This is a unique opportunity for community members to help shape decisions that impact essential city services.

For the upcoming term, PUB is seeking to fill one voting community member vacancy. While applicants from across the city are encouraged to apply, there is a strong interest in recruiting candidates from District 1, which has historically been underrepresented on City boards and commissions.

You can learn more about PUB through the Join PUB webpage and can access the application here.