Dear Friends, On Feb. 1, please join me at the City Club of Portland as I deliver my third annual State of the County address. Each year as Multnomah County Chair, I look forward to the opportunity to share the successes we've had and the direction we're going with the community.
As a local government, it's our job to provide a wide range of essential services. We have to be efficient and fiscally responsible. And we work hard to make sure the services we provide align with the community's core values. Accomplishing this is not always easy. But if you attend my address, you will hear firsthand how Multnomah County has been able to rise to these challenges through a workforce dedicated to service and innovation.
The 2013 State of the County address will take place on Feb. 1 at 12:15 p.m. at the Governor Hotel, 614 S.W. 11th Ave., in Portland. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the City Club of Portland's website.
Thanks and I'll see you at City Club. 
|
|
|
|
|
In the spring of 2012, Multnomah County launched the Community Advantage Banking program with the goal of promoting local economic growth through the investment of county dollars in Oregon banks.
These investments not only keep a significant portion of public funds within the community, but can be used by banks and credit unions in our region for loans to homebuyers or to help businesses create and save jobs for Oregonians.
Thanks to our Community Advantage Banking program, the county has been able to invest $5.39 million in 22 Oregon financial institutions and will continue to do so until the $10 million set aside for the program is fully invested.
For more information about Community Advantage Banking, including a list of participating financial institutions, click here.
|
|
|
 | |
Sellwood Bridge truss span and detour bridge piers.
|
The next phase of construction on the Sellwood Bridge begins Saturday, Jan. 19, when contractors will move the span to make way for the replacement bridge.
The bridge will be closed as workers move the 1,100-foot truss span of the historic bridge 33 feet north at its east end and 66 feet north at the west end. The span will serve as a "shoofly,"or detour bridge, to minimize the impact of construction on local businesses and bridge users.
Weather permitting, the move is expected to take place over the course of 12 to 16 hours. The 3,400-ton structure will be lifted in one piece by hydraulic jacks and pushed on rails along steel beams that link the old piers with the new detour bridge piers.
In order to complete this intricate move, the Sellwood Bridge will be closed to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists from 5 a.m. on Jan. 17 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 24. [Read more]
|
|
|
One of the services we provide at the county that is a source of great pride is our school-based health centers. Located in elementary, middle and high schools in Multnomah County, they provide easy access to primary, preventative and mental healthcare for kids in the local school system.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $500,000 grant to the health department to help expand our school-based health center network to include a new clinic in East County. The clinic, which is set to open in 2014, will be housed in Centennial High School and serve K-12 students.
Currently, most of the county's school-based health centers are located in Portland Public Schools and this additional clinic will provide much-needed additional healthcare to students in East County. Neighborhoods in East County have a higher concentration of children than other parts of the county. And East County has had a sharp increase in the percent of students who qualify for free or reduced lunches.
|
|
|
 Do you prefer to use the library earlier or later in the day? What library programs and services are most important to you? What new material would you like to see at your library?
With the approval of the library district by voters in November 2012, Multnomah County Library funding will be restored to provide last year's level of hours and service -- including being open on Mondays -- starting July 1.
To help our library decide the future of its schedule, materials and programs, please complete this brief survey. It only takes five minutes and will assist Multnomah County Library in preparing a budget that reflects the priorities of its patrons. This survey will remain open until Jan. 31.Click here to complete the Multnomah County Library hours and services survey.
|
Multnomah County is Oregon's most populous county with about 748,000 residents. Multnomah County is governed by a Board of four elected Commissioners and one Chair. Multnomah County employees provide citizens a wide range of health and human services, public safety services and other government services.
Multnomah County values the privacy of personal information and will not sell or otherwise disclose your email address, except as provided under Chapter 192 of the Oregon Revised Statues pertaining to Records; Public Reports and Meetings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
