Multnomah County commissioners debate board work plan, sequencing and staff resourcing

Following the strategic plan briefing the Board shifted to a work-session format to discuss a Commission work plan and calendar. Commissioners sought clarity on sequencing, which items require briefings or work sessions before formal votes, and how to ensure sufficient staff capacity for board‑driven projects.

Commissioner Singleton (opening the work session) asked the group to focus on timing and capturing the timeframes for major work buckets so the board can link its calendar to the strategic plan. Commissioners raised specific additions to the draft work plan, including emergency management, sustainability, governance/board rules and CEI Hub work; several commissioners said they would submit detailed items to the Chair’s and Commissioner Singleton’s offices to be calendared.

Board members discussed process for assigning staff time to substantial projects. The Chair and staff said that requests that require county staff participation should be coordinated through the Chair’s office and the COO to confirm departmental capacity and whether a budget request is needed for staff time or facilitation resources. The Chair gave the example of a prior preschool-for-all planning process that had a modest budget ask to convene stakeholders and produce deliverables.

Commissioners also asked for recurring updates of the strategic plan (suggested quarterly) and said that projects extending beyond a single budget cycle should be supported by budget notes so departments can plan staffing and resource allocation. The work session did not produce a final, committee‑level adoption of the board work plan; rather, commissioners agreed to submit items, refine timing, and return with a calendar and potential vote at a later meeting.

The Chair closed the meeting after announcing a proclamation signing ceremony the following day and adjourning the session.