City Council moves into approved budget phase: Key dates ahead

With the release of Mayor Keith Wilson’s proposed budget, Portland City Council has entered the approved phase of the city’s annual budgeting process—a critical step that determines the final allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Budget Process

The City’s 12-month financial cycle begins July 1 and ends June 30 of the following year. 

The budget process includes five phases: prepare, draft, propose, approve and adopt. Every year, the City makes a forecast of revenues and expenses, which determines whether there is additional funding available or if a cut is required.

Once the mayor releases budget guidance, service areas start developing budget concepts. The city administrator and their leadership team workshop those concepts to workshop those concepts to create draft budget recommendations. 

The mayor proposes their budget, which they pass to the City Council to amend and approve. Finally, City Council votes to adopt the approved budget before the end of the fiscal year. If needed, the mayor serves as the tie-breaker during the approval and adoption phases. 

Council’s next steps

Throughout May and June, Council will engage in a series of critical work sessions to finalize budget details. 

Key dates include:

• May 7: Mayor’s budget presentation, Council discussion, and public testimony.
• May 8: Prosper Portland convenes for a budget hearing.
• May 14–15: Work sessions on operations, finance, economic development, and public works.
• May 21: Council votes to approve the City & Prosper Portland budgets, ensuring a fully balanced budget.
• June 11 & 18: Final Council action to adopt the budget.

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