Multnomah County adopts FY2026 budget after hours of public testimony and votes on amendments

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners adopted the county—s fiscal year 2026 budget June 3 after extended public testimony and a multi-hour public vote that passed a package of board and department amendments.

The board adopted the library district and county budgets, set property tax levies and approved associated financial policies and fee schedules. Chair Vega Peterson and the four commissioners approved the package in a final roll call following votes on individual amendments and budget notes.

Why it matters: The adopted package sets spending limits, tax rates and program priorities for the county and the Multnomah County Library District for the coming fiscal year. Deliberations focused on restoring frontline services while balancing a forecasted shortfall; commissioners debated funding for housing placements, legal services, peer navigators/case management, public-safety task forces and arts grants.

Most important actions and outcomes

- The board adopted the Multnomah County Library District FY2026 budget, setting an appropriation of $131,000,000 for the library district fund and $76,700,000 for the capital fund and levying property taxes for the district at $1.22 per $1,000 of assessed value (R1–R4 adopted). Library leaders said the budget will staff new branches and support equity-centered services.

- The board adopted the Multnomah County FY2026 budget and made appropriations (R5 adopted). The county—s general levy for the year was set at $4.34 per $1,000 of assessed value and the local option levy at $0.05 per $1,000; the board also authorized $58,900,000 in general obligation bond debt levy for library bond debt service.

- The board adopted multiple board amendments (Attachment A, Section 1) and department amendments (Attachment A, Section 2). Notable restorations or funding actions included: school-based mental health, expanded employment programs and housing placement services in East County, restorations to legal services and peer navigators, funding for public-safety task forces and funding support for Old Town InReach partners. Some proposals failed or were tabled after debate.

Public testimony and recurring themes

Public testimony ran both in-person and online across two formal hearing segments and included employees, case managers, community-based organizations, artists and service providers.

- Labor and county workers: Hillary Zust, a human service investigator and "vice president…