Budget Talk Gives Public Opportunity for Fiscal Input

Portland residents who want a say in how their taxes are spent can attend a community budget forum on Saturday, April 8. The discussion will run from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Andrew Nativity School Gym, 806 N.E. Alberta St.
This is the final community budget forum before Mayor Tom Potter's proposed budget is released. The forum will give the public time to comment on the budget's recommendations. Summary budget proposals for each city bureau are online, and the council/citizen budget teams' recommendationsare expected be available at www.portlandonline.com/communitybudget for advanced viewing.
A citywide budget hearing also will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 11, in the Metropolitan Learning Center auditorium, 2033 N.W. Glisan St. Public testimony will be taken at that meeting.
Those who cannot attend the meetings may still participate in the budget process online at www.portlandonline.com/communitybudget. In addition to online versions of surveys used in the forums, a comment form is available, and all comments are forwarded to City Council members.
For child care or interpretation during the meetings, call 503-823-5288; for special needs, call 503-823-4519 in advance (TDD: 503-823-6868).