“Tough choices” is public officials’ shorthand for this year’s budget cycle. In Portland’s Community and Economic Development service area, the mayor and his administrators have turned to cutting social programs and staff to balance a proposed $1.24 billion budget for the service area’s bureaus.
This service area—which could see a 7 percent budget cut this year—focuses on economic and urban development via housing through Prosper Portland, Portland Permitting and Development (PP&D), and the Portland Housing Bureau (PHB); climate through the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) and Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF); arts and culture, and entertainment venues through the Office of Community and Economic Development. It also administers the Portland Children’s Levy.
In Wilson’s proposed budget, PP&D said it would need to reduce tree permitting services to address the gap. That would lead to the loss of 14 full-time employee positions…