Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has outlined plans to implement the charter reforms approved by voters to change the city's form of government.
The transition will take place over two-years and will be guided by three ‘drivers of improvement’ to help overhaul the city’s system of bureau management and to keep council focused on addressing Portlanders’ top priorities.
Mayor Wheeler outlined three drivers:
1. Implement Better Governance: make the ballot measure including ranked choice voting, expanding the size of the legislative council and the transition to a Mayor and City Administrator. Mayor Wheeler will also work with his council colleagues to appoint a Charter Transition Advisory Committee with 13 community members. More information can be found at: City of Portland Transition | Portland.gov
“We will enthusiastically make the changes required by the ballot measure which includes the implementation of ranked choice voting, expanding to a 12-member legislative council and the transition to a Mayor and City Administrator,” said Mayor Wheeler.
2. City Bureau Assignments Grouped by Service Area: assign City Bureaus by grouping bureaus by service area starting in January 2023.
In January, I will start knocking down the dysfunctional siloed bureaus that are a plague of our outdated commission form of city government,” said Mayor Wheeler.
3. City Will Focus Budget Priorities on Addressing Homelessness and Crime: ensures our priorities remain focused as the City navigates through the transition. The mayor will prioritize these issues through upcoming budget proposals and bureau assignments.
“Over the course of the next two years of transition, I will continue doing everything possible to address homelessness and crime through my upcoming budget proposals and bureau assignments,” said Mayor Wheeler.
Source: Portland Mayor's Office