Central CBAC tells county it needs clearer rules, more recruitment and better onboarding

Central CBAC co-chairs TJ Anderson and Daniel D'Amelio told the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on July 8 that advisory committees that review departmental budgets need clearer procedures, more active recruitment and standardized onboarding so members can participate effectively.

The co-chairs summarized findings from a year-long review and a participant survey, and recommended a countywide policies-and-procedures guide, clearer timelines for appointments, standardized presentation templates for departments and small code edits to remove ambiguous language and permit the board to update how CBACs are constituted.

Why it matters: CBACs advise departments and the board on budget priorities. The co-chairs said unclear rules and uneven support are reducing participation and may leave committees operating out of step with county code, which could affect the legitimacy and usefulness of advisory input to budget decisions.

Anderson and D'Amelio said their review identified systemic gaps in recruitment, onboarding, training and the appointment process. They recommended the county produce a written guide for CBAC members that would include…