In his inaugural State of the City address on Friday, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson conveyed a message of optimism despite the prevailing uncertainties. Just four months into his political career, Wilson expressed confidence in his ability to tackle the city’s most pressing challenges, even as the budget deficit looms large.
During his address, Wilson highlighted several initial accomplishments, including the opening of new overnight shelters and his efforts to persuade the Legislature to consider a bid for a Major League Baseball team in Portland. He also provided a preview of his first proposed budget, which is set to be unveiled on Monday.
When Wilson took office, the projected deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, starting July 1, was estimated at $65 million. However, that figure has now surged to at least $93 million, largely due to increased spending related to his shelter initiative.
To address the budget shortfall, Wilson acknowledged that he faced some “agonizing” decisions, stating, “There’s no easy way to say this, but we’re entering a period of layoffs.” While the exact number of jobs affected has not yet been disclosed, he announced plans to reduce the budget by 20% in departments focused on communications, public engagement, technology, equity, and others.
Potential cuts to larger departments, including Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Permitting & Development, and the Portland Bureau of Transportation, were also mentioned during early budget discussions. However, Wilson assured that certain jobs and programs would remain funded, including youth sports initiatives and community centers. Additionally, he plans to allocate more resources to enhance staffing for the Portland Street Response and the Police Bureau, while ensuring that programs addressing gun violence remain intact.
Wilson has committed to opening 1,500 new shelter beds by December, with only 250 available thus far. On Friday, he announced that two more shelters will soon be opened, bringing him closer to his target by adding 230 beds. He described his shelter strategy as a crucial defense against President Donald Trump’s intention to relocate individuals experiencing homelessness into government camps. City councilors will have the opportunity to propose amendments to Wilson’s budget once it is released next week.
