Multnomah County approves $535,000 budget update after sale of Albina Annex

The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 15 approved a $535,000 budget modification to the library capital bond program that will recognize revenue from the sale of the Albina Annex property and return the proceeds to the Albina Library project.

Kate Vance, deputy director for the library capital bond program, told the board the increase applies to fund 2517, program 78228F, and is a one‑time adjustment for fiscal year 2026. She said, after broker commissions, title and escrow charges, and agreed repairs, "the Albina Library project will retain a net cash amount of $463,294.50." Remaining funds at the end of FY26 will be carried forward as beginning working capital for FY27.

During public testimony, Lightning asked for clearer disclosure about the sale process, saying they did not hear the buyer’s identity and requested to know who the other brokerage firm was beyond the county’s representative, Apex. "These are public properties, public meetings," Lightning said, asking how three nonprofits were notified before the property went to the open market and whether that process reflected favoritism.

Commissioners who spoke praised the work done to manage the property sale and emphasized returning funds to the Albina project. Following brief discussion the clerk called a roll call vote and the board approved the budget modification.

The county did not provide buyer identity or full broker details during the hearing; Lightning asked the board to clarify whether there is a written policy for initial nonprofit notification versus broader market listing.

Next steps: the budget modification will be incorporated into FY26 accounting and any remaining funds will carry forward into FY27 as beginning working capital.