County approves two service-district budgets, annexation, MHCRC budget and Broadway deck contract increase

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on June 5 adopted budgets for the Mid‑County Street Lighting Service District No. 14 and the Dunthorpe‑Riverdale Sanitary Service District No. 1, approved an annexation petition for a single parcel into the Dunthorpe‑Riverdale district, approved the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission FY 2025‑26 fund budget, and approved a $1,334,651.93 amendment to a transportation contract for the Broadway deck replacement project.

The Mid‑County Street Lighting Service District budget for fiscal year 2026 was described by Bridal Shinske of the Department of Community Services as “set at $2,000,000 with $650,000 for capital works on light replacement projects” and with $880,000 held as an unappropriated balance for future capital work. Shinske told the board that the district’s approved budget had been reviewed by the Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission (TSCC) and TSCC “certified that they have no objections or recommendations.”

The board then adopted the Dunthorpe‑Riverdale Sanitary Service District budget, which Bridal Shinske said is “set at $6,800,000 with $3,800,000 for the reconstruction of the Elk Rock pump station and $805,000 for materials and services.” Shinske also notified the board the district will increase the monthly assessment from $210 to $240 — a change she described as a 14% increase over the prior fiscal year — and that the approved budget was posted as required and certified by TSCC.

The board approved a petition to annex a 0.95‑acre parcel at 400 Southwest Edgecliff Road into the Dunthorpe‑Riverdale Service District so the property can be connected to the public sanitary sewer system. Chet Hagen, program manager and administrator for the district, said the petition was complete and complies with ORS chapter 198 and Metro code 3.09 and that the district has capacity to serve the property.

The board also approved the Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission (MHCRC) FY2025‑26 fund budget. Douglas Imaralu, MHCRC finance manager, presented the budget overview and said the fund’s beginning balance and estimated resources total roughly $11 million combined and that franchise fee revenue is declining year over year. The MHCRC recommended a $1,000,000 community grants allocation for the coming fiscal year; Imaralu described planned disbursements to the community media centers Open Signal and Metro East and noted continuing strategic planning to respond to falling subscriber counts.

Finally, the board approved a resolution to amend task order WSP‑104 — a transportation on‑call contract for the Broadway deck replacement project — to add construction‑phase services and authorized an additional $1,334,651.93. John Henriksen, Transportation Division director and county engineer, told the board the amendment covers construction services and that the work will be supported with federal funds and a county bridge‑fund match that was included in the county’s capital program budget.

All resolutions and the contract amendment were adopted by roll call vote. Commissioners recorded their votes individually during the meeting; roll calls for each item show the motion carried and the resolutions were adopted.

Votes at a glance - R1: Adopt Mid‑County Street Lighting Service District No. 14 FY2025‑26 budget; outcome: adopted; budget amount stated as $2,000,000; mover/second: not specified in record; roll call: all voting commissioners present recorded aye. - R2: Adopt Dunthorpe‑Riverdale Sanitary Service District No. 1 FY2025‑26 budget; outcome: adopted; budget amount stated as $6,800,000; includes $3,800,000 for Elk Rock pump station reconstruction; assessment increase from $210 to $240 per month described; mover/second: not specified in record; roll call: all voting commissioners present recorded aye. - R3: Approve petition to annex 0.95‑acre parcel at 400 SW Edgecliff Road into Dunthorpe‑Riverdale Service District pursuant to ORS 198.857 and Metro code 3.09; outcome: adopted; mover: Commissioner Bram Edwards; seconder: Commissioner Jones Dixon; roll call: adopted. - R4: Approve Mount Hood Cable Regulatory Commission FY2025‑26 fund budget; outcome: adopted; mover: Commissioner Singleton; seconder: Commissioner Bert Medford; roll call: adopted. - R5: Amend transportation on‑call contract task order WSP‑104 for Broadway deck replacement by $1,334,651.93 to add construction‑phase services; outcome: adopted; mover: Commissioner Burman Edwards; seconder: Commissioner Moyer; roll call: adopted.

Why it matters: The service‑district budgets set local rates, assessments and capital spending for utilities used by residents and property owners. The Dunthorpe‑Riverdale assessment increase will affect district property owners directly. The MHCRC budget decision preserves a community grants program for public, educational and governmental media while the commission continues planning for a shrinking franchise fee revenue stream. The Broadway contract amendment moves the Broadway deck replacement into active construction management with federal funds committed, according to staff.

The board adjourned the session after brief commissioner comments and scheduled further budget work sessions as part of the county’s FY2025‑26 budget process.