Portland to centralize communications, engagement and equity functions; Civic Life and OEHR staffing reduced

Assistant City Administrator Annie Vonberg told council the realignment will create a unified approach to communications, engagement and equity intended to make city government more transparent and effective across service areas.

Vonberg said the central communications team would be reduced in operating budget while retaining capacity to operate core channels such as Portland.gov, social accounts and the Rose City Connection newsletter. She told council communications is on track for an implementation of the new structure and staffing model by Sept. 30.

On Civic Life, the administration met the 8% operating reduction target with a roughly $477,000 general fund reduction that includes cuts to district coalition office (DCO) operating budgets, a $176,000 small grants reduction and a near‑quarter reduction to the Diversity and Civic Leadership (DCL) program. Vonberg characterized the DCL program as long‑running with fixed funding; the administration said the cut presents an opportunity to reevaluate grant distribution and coordinate capacity building across the city’s grant programs.

The Office of Equity and Human Rights (OEHR) met the 8% cut target by eliminating two ongoing positions—one focused on ADA compliance and one in administrative services—and shifting some support duties to other staff while the city evaluates a decentralized approach to ADA compliance. Jeff Selby, interim director of OEHR, said a limited‑term LGBTQIA+ analyst position is expiring at the end of the fiscal year: “The, LGBTQIA 2 s plus analyst position is ending because it is limited term position that expires at the end of this month or at the end of the fiscal year.” He told council the loss of that capacity will be felt by community members and staff given the small size of the policy team.

Vonberg described three work areas—communications, engagement and equity—identified by the charter reform process as key to delivering more accessible government, and said the final system and structure will look different from current configurations.

Councilors asked for job classifications for newly proposed chief officers and whether some officers would remain under the city administrator or move into city operations; Vonberg said the equity and engagement officer roles would be director‑level positions and that detailed job descriptions and classification information would be provided to council.

Why it matters: Centralizing communications, engagement and equity functions could change how communities interact with city government and how grant programs are administered. Cuts to grant programs and analyst positions may reduce capacity for outreach and policy work unless council restores funds via amendments.