Скачать или смотреть Councilors try to solve the City of Portland's $100 million budget crisis in a marathon session

After a marathon session to go over more than 100 amendments to the Portland mayor’s budget proposal, the city council has approved a preliminary budget.

Councilors approved one big change that shifts $2 million from the Portland Police Bureau to support park maintenance.

Mayor Keith Wilson's budget proposal, released earlier this month, focused on curbing spending and increasing revenue. It included funding boosts for public safety and livability.

Despite Wilson's big push for funding for police, the city council voted to redirect some of that money away.

Another way to bring more money in for parks is an increase in golfing fees. The approved budget includes a $5 fee increase, which is expected to create $1 million for park maintenance.

“We've talked about grass and weeds. We've talked about fire hazards, which is a very obvious public safety need. We've talked about reducing restroom cleanings. Turf maintenance and facility repairs and taking out the trash. These are the things that really affect people who go to parks,” argued Councilor Sameer Kanal.

As the session stretched into the evening hours, there was heated debate over shifting that $2 million from police to help parks.

“There's been a lot of hyperbole that I don't appreciate. I think if you vote for this we are absolutely sending the wrong signal to the public and to the rest of the country that watches us," said Councilor Olivia Clark.

https://katu.com/news/local/portland-...

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