Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves one-time funds to expand MCSO human resources capacity
Summary
The Board approved a $965,885 budget modification to fund temporary HR positions in the Multnomah County Sheriff—s Office to speed background investigations and recruiting; staff said the funding is one-time (Dec. 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) and committed to regular reporting on capacity and recruitment metrics.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved a midyear budget modification to provide $965,885 in one-time funds to expand the Multnomah County Sheriff—s Office (MCSO) human resources capacity.
Multnomah County Sheriff Nicole Morrissey O'Donnell told the Board the funds will cover additional recruiters, background investigators and support staff to reduce hiring delays and excessive mandatory overtime that have contributed to turnover. "This is a complicated and challenging time where MCSO staffing shortfalls collide with an increase in jail use in Multnomah County," the sheriff said, asking the Board to approve a budget modification that would fund the positions from Dec. 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
Chief of Business Services John Harms Millant said the modification would increase background capacity from eight to ten investigators, increase recruiters from four to five and add an additional support position, producing an estimated 80–90 additional completed background investigations annually if sustained. He said funding would be requested as ongoing in the FY26 budget process but that this action is a temporary step to address urgent needs.
Public testimony included support from the Corrections Grand Jury (Joseph Kirkey), which recommended additional HR staff, and varied community speakers who urged caps on overtime and suggested body-worn cameras for corrections staff.
Commissioners pressed staff on the practical impacts: whether more staff would translate into more bed capacity, how background disputes and appraisals are handled, and whether the funding source was one-time. County budget staff said the item is funded with interest earned on previously allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds (about $3 million of interest income), which can be used with more flexibility than the original grant funds. County leaders asked for weekly jail-capacity reports and monthly recruitment updates after approval. The Board approved the modification by roll-call vote.
