What: The report of the volunteer Financial Stabilization Work Group, co-chaired by Councilors Zimmerman and Green and the Chief Financial Officer, on the city's structural budget problems. It recommends a stable revenue strategy, a financial policy refresh, biennial budgeting, defined core services, better financial data, regional coordination and state fiscal-reform advocacy, and less administrative burden. The CFO turned it into 44 possible actions.
Where it stands: Presented to Council in a work session on September 23, 2026; no votes. A first package of financial policy changes is hoped for in early 2027, before the next budget talks. Council members split on priorities: Dunphy opposed prioritizing biennial budgeting, while Zimmerman was open to it.
Next: Budget-process work session within weeks, a December revenue forecast, and a span-of-control discussion likely in December.
Report and presentation posted at portland.gov/financial-stabilization
Log
2026-09-23 - Work Session - Presentation by Biery, then feedback from Clark, Dunphy, Smith, Morillo, Novick, Ryan, Pirtle-Guiney, Green and Zimmerman; City Administrator Lee promised staffing and span-of-control analysis; ended early, no votes.