Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civic Engagement Advisory Committees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves appointments to Community Budget Advisory Committees
Summary
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved R1, appointing members to Community Budget Advisory Committees after a presentation from the Office of Community Involvement about recruitment and process improvements.
Multnomah County commissioners on Wednesday approved appointments to multiple Community Budget Advisory Committees (CBACs), advancing a package of seats intended to improve demographic and geographic representation on advisory bodies that inform the county budgeting process.
The appointments were approved by roll call after Director Amara Perez of the Office of Community Involvement described a multi-step implementation plan to increase recruitment, collect demographic data, and strengthen onboarding and retention for advisory committees.
Perez told the board OCI has formed a work group to produce a policy and procedure guidebook, is adopting a volunteer-management system (Better Impact) to centralize participant data, and is revamping applications and onboarding to recruit ‘‘recruiters’’ in district offices and partner organizations. Perez said the office will track participation metrics such as attendance, communication, and vacancies and work with departments to set recruitment goals aimed at intersectional representation.
Commissioners asked how applicants were processed and whether out-of-county applicants had been given preference. Perez said 12 applicants were not selected in the most recent cycle; seven withdrew, one was ineligible due to Multnomah County employment, one was already serving on a joint office advisory board, one lost selection in an interview, and one was excluded for administrative error. She said the majority of applicants who completed interviews were selected.
Commissioner Graham Edwards — who had asked that the appointments be heard on the regular agenda rather than consent so the board could discuss representation and geography — pressed OCI on how the office will ensure more participation from East County and other underrepresented areas. Perez said OCI will add geography to the application, set recruitment and retention goals, use Better Impact to centralize data, and move from a short recruitment window to year‑round outreach.
Several commissioners praised applicants and encouraged ongoing outreach. Public testimony included comments from local residents and community members urging broader outreach and better access to volunteer stipends.
The motion to approve R1 was moved by Commissioner Singleton and seconded by Commissioner Joan Stixson. Roll call votes recorded in the board minutes were: Commissioner Moyer — yes; Commissioner Singleton — yes; (transcript:) Commissioner Bridal Edwards — yes; Commissioner Jones Dixon — yes; Chair Vega Peterson — aye. The chair announced the appointments were approved.
OCI officials said they will return with additional implementation updates as the Better Impact system and recruitment plans roll out.
Ending: The approvals complete the formal appointments on today’s agenda; OCI staff and commissioners indicated follow-up briefings and data will be provided as the office implements the new systems.
