Council requires citywide asset‑management strategy and paired bond plan

Portland City Council directed the city administrator to develop a citywide asset‑management strategy and identify funding options to address deferred maintenance across bureaus. The resolution, introduced in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, requires a report to council by Sept. 30, 2026 and a companion general‑obligation bond strategy to be submitted to the Finance Committee by Dec. 31, 2026. Council adopted the resolution unanimously by roll call.

Committee staff and the resolution text describe a broad scope: streets, signals, water, facilities, and other city assets. Councilor Clark, who led the committee, noted the city’s “huge backlog of needs” and said the city owns what she described as roughly $80 billion in assets, which makes a coordinated financial and technical response a priority.

The resolution asks the administrator to incorporate best practices, use GIS and other asset‑mapping tools, consult across bureaus, and identify potential funding streams. It also directs a timeline for an asset‑management strategy and a paired financial plan that could inform later bond or budget decisions.

Councilors emphasized the urgency of addressing deferred maintenance and the value of a single methodology across bureaus. The resolution passed by roll call; clerk recorded 12 aye votes.

What’s next: The administration named a point person and indicated inter‑bureau teams will work with the consultant and staff. The Finance Committee will review the proposed bond strategy when it arrives late in 2026.