Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Arts Access Fund Appointment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Arts and Economy Committee forwards Matt Donahue appointment to full council
Summary
The committee voted to refer the mayoral appointment of Matt Donahue as the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission (TSCC) representative on the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee to full council for confirmation. Donahue’s term would run from July 31, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2028.
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Arts and Economy Committee on July 8 voted to send the mayor’s appointment of Matt Donahue to the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee to the full City Council with a recommendation that the council confirm the nomination.
The appointment would add a Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission representative to the oversight body that monitors the Arts Access Fund, the committee said. If confirmed by council, Donahue’s term would run from July 31, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2028.
The Arts Access Fund, supported by Portland’s arts tax, funds arts education and programming in local schools and arts organizations. Don Isaacs, the city’s arts education coordinator, told the committee the fund supports more than 28,000 elementary students and that the oversight committee reviews expenditures and reports annually to council.
Matt Donahue, introduced to the committee as a vice chair of the Multnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission and a municipal finance professional, said he volunteered for the TSCC seat and raised both his interest in arts and fiscal stewardship. “I look forward to serving on the committee to make sure the funds are spent equitably and fairly and keep the confidence of the public in this tax,” Donahue said.
Committee members asked about the composition and size of the oversight panel and whether it might expand beyond its current membership, and they voiced expectations that the TSCC representative would help maintain public trust in the fund. Don Isaacs said the committee recently completed a recruitment phase and currently considers the panel full at 11 members, so no additional recruitment is planned.
A motion to forward the appointment to the full council for confirmation was made during the committee meeting and seconded by Councilor Clark. The clerk called the roll; the motion carried.
Next steps: the appointment will be considered by the full City Council for confirmation according to the city’s standard appointment process.
Votes at a glance
- Motion: “That the appointment of Matt Donahue to the Arts Access Fund Oversight Committee be sent to the full council with the recommendation that the appointment be confirmed.” - Mover: not specified on the record - Second: Councilor Clark - Roll-call votes recorded: Councilor Clark — Yes; Councilor Green — Yes; Councilor Dunphy — Aye; Councilor Smith — Aye; Councilor Bridal — Aye. - Outcome: approved (motion carries)
