Should Portland accept the Government Transition Advisory Committee Final Report?

On November 8, 2022, voters approved Portland Measure 26-228, which amended the City’s Charter to include establishment of a mayor-council form of government, creation of four new geographic districts with three councilors representing each district, and election of city officials using ranked choice voting.To ensure implementation of these charter amendments was done effectively and efficiently in alignment with the City’s core values, the City created the GTAC, along with rules governing the appointment of members to the committees and the purposes and practices of the committee.The GTAC was responsible for: Ensuring implementation of November 2022 voter-approved charter amendments is done effectively and efficiently, following the City’s core values of anti-racism, equity, communication, collaboration, transparency, and fiscal responsibility.Maintaining open and consistent communications and engagement with internal and external stakeholders throughout the transition, and ensure input is meaningfully integrated into the City’s implantation of the November 2022 voter-approved charter amendments. Other than districting-specific input, serving as the primary solicitor and repository of public input related to the transition.Advising the City on the November 2022 voter-approved charter amendments transition plan and community education and engagement plan, including project schedule and project budget, resource allocation and funding strategy.For the past two years and in more than 75 public meetings, GTAC members debated and deliberated how to ensure the City’s transition is effective and efficient. The GTAC researched 20 peer cities to identify promising practices of good government elsewhere from which Portland might learn. And, most importantly, the GTAC served as the public engagement body for the transition.Throughout the transition, the GTAC gave constructive informal and formal advice to City leaders in the transition.The GTAC also leaves detailed recommendations for the new City leadership in the following areas: engagement with City government, budget and budget engagement, council and council committees, city administrator recruitment, and voter education.Finally, the GTAC envisions the need for continuing commitment by both the executive and legislative branches to ongoing work in the following areas:Finding efficiencies in the new form of government during this budget cycle and ways to continue the transition work.Launching a citywide strategic planning process and schedule.Creating a citywide, systemic approach to community engagement.Refining procedures for the ongoing collaborative work between the legislative and executive branches.Developing a workplan to implement the GTAC recommendations.This is the Final Report of the GTAC.

The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.

This proposal concerns other city business and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.

There is no community impact or involvement to the GTAC’s report to Council. However, the GTAC is made up of volunteers and served as the main public engagement body for the City’s transition to a new form of government and elections system.The GTAC provided 141 presentations to community groups on the City’s transition including more than 50 neighborhood and business associations. Thirty-nine percent of the community presentations were in partnership with communities historically left out of City Hall decision-making. The GTAC also conducted focused engagement to inform its recommendations – including more than 600 survey responses, five community listening sessions, policy discussions with community-based organizations, and internal City briefings.More information on the GTAC’s community engagement efforts can be found in Appendix A of the Final Report.