If you’ve taken a road trip or run a race, you know the halfway mark simultaneously feels like an accomplishment – and a reminder of how far you still have to go. This paradox holds true as we pass the midway point of the City’s six-month effort to prepare the organization for our new governance structure.
On July 1, Mayor Wheeler officially organized the City of Portland into six service areas guided by a City Leadership Team charged with making citywide decisions and cultivating a positive workplace culture. We ramped up preparations for Portland’s first election using geographic districts and ranked-choice voting, and we are preparing for the official launch of our new-to-Portland form of government to begin in January 2025.
Change is hard work, but here’s the thing: We’re seeing the results three months in. To mark this halfway point, I want to reflect on some things going well:
- Despite a challenging financial outlook, we’re working across the City to develop a balanced budget that prioritizes community needs.
- Our Public Works Service Area is collaborating across its bureaus and exploring the “One Water” concept to achieve environmental and economic benefits by integrating water, sewer and stormwater services.
- We delivered a six-month action plan and engaged City Council in a conversation about addressing their top priorities: homelessness, livability, safety and economic recovery.
- Recruitments will open soon for a Communications Officer and an Engagement Officer, bringing citywide leadership and vision to these important practices to expand and strengthen the City’s ties with more Portlanders.
- From billboards and bus ads to mock elections, community outreach to townhalls, the City’s voter education campaign is reaching voters across the city and preparing Portlanders to rank their choices.
- Our City Leadership Team had a retreat at the city’s Emergency Operations Center to deepen our preparations for emergency response and crisis management.
The list of wins could go on. Instead, I will close by saying THANK YOU to you, Portland.
Thank you for trusting us to lay the foundation for a transparent, accountable city government that delivers excellent services and solves community problems. I am honored to guide this work, in partnership with the City’s Leadership Team and the 7,000 public servants who keep Portland running every day. We are grateful to the Portland community for allowing us time to implement these voter-approved changes needed to transition to a new governance structure.
At the halfway point, the skies look sunny, we’re making good time and our destination is clear. While there is still more work to do, we are on track to deliver – because of you.
With gratitude,
City Administrator Michael Jordan