Council approves three technical budget amendments amid wider debate over cuts

Council President Jamie Dunphy opened the City of Portland’s FY 2026–27 budget hearing on May 18 and introduced three technical amendments submitted by the City Budget Office and administration. Ruth Levine, city budget director, described the package as corrections and “true‑ups” to reflect recent council votes, position authority adjustments and fund alignment, including a $200,000 entry for Leach Botanical Garden and a half‑year correction for a USTA item.

Councilors debated whether some items were purely technical or sufficiently substantive to merit discussion. Councilors pressed staff for clarity on whether amendments added resources or merely realigned appropriations; CBO staff said most changes adjusted appropriations rather than creating new net resources. Dunphy said the amendments were being placed on the table to allow the public to see them before testimony.

Council moved and voted separately on each technical amendment. Technical amendment 1 was moved by Councilor Khan and seconded by Councilor Avalos; it passed on a roll call announced by the clerk with one recorded “no” and one absence (approved with 10 ayes, 1 no, 1 absent). Technical amendment 2 was moved by Council President Dunphy and seconded by Councilor Pertelgene and passed (11 ayes, 1 absent). Technical amendment 3, which includes the Leach Botanical Garden true‑up and timing corrections for USTA, was moved by Councilor Avalos and seconded by Councilor Novick; it passed with one abstention and one absence (approved with 10 ayes, 1 abstain, 1 absent).

After the votes, Dunphy returned the body to the budget hearing and opened public testimony on the approved budget and its amendments. Hundreds of individuals signed up; the council limited most speakers to 90 seconds to allow broad participation. Testimony focused heavily on preserving frontline jobs and restoring cuts to public safety (fire, police, 911/dispatch), parks maintenance and tree‑canopy programs; union members, park board members and nonprofit leaders urged targeted add‑backs or alternative offsets rather than layoffs.

The hearing will continue on May 19, when councilors plan to take up additional amendments and votes. Dunphy said deliberations and formal votes on the full budget will follow the remaining testimony and committee process.