Engage Multnomah County

May 2026

Pictured Above: April 29th, 2029 Public Budget Hearing

Office of Community Involvement May 2026 Newsletter

About the Office of

Community Involvement (OCI):

The OCI was established in 1984 to support multi-faceted engagement county-wide. OCI collaborates with departments and staff to strengthen program-based engagement, and advises on engagement policies and procedures and develops engagement trainings and resources for county staff and community members. We also serve as a community portal to departmental engagement opportunities and directly support community advisory committees to amplify public feedback in County engagement and budget resource allocation.

Through the county’s advisory bodies, community members are able to share feedback and provide recommendations for the improvement of services and programs. In addition, community members participate in the function, review, and improvement of Multnomah County's programs, policies, and services through a wide variety of volunteer and intern opportunities.

We welcome everyone who lives, works, plays, worships, and otherwise is invested in Multnomah County to participate in shaping our county policies, budgets, and programs. Continue reading to find opportunities to engage!

Check out the OCI Website for general information!

Engage with the County Budget:

Share Your Budget Priorities!

The budget process is between "Approve" and "Adopt" - the draft budget is approved and now is the time for public hearings, contacting your Commissioner, and departmental work sessions!

You're invited to share your perspectives and opinions on the Multnomah County operating and capital budgets in the final Public Budget Hearing:

May 20 - Public Hearing - 6:00 - 8:00 pm (Virtual - more details coming soon)

Everyone can always submit testimony, on the budget or other topics, with the Board Clerks. The public is also always welcome to contact your elected officials with comments, ideas, concerns and more!

Learn more ways to participate in the budget process

State of the County

You're invited!

The first major event at the East County Library following the grand opening this weekend will be the State of the County.

Here’s some information about the event:

On Tuesday, May 19, we’ll gather at 4:30pm at the new East County Library at 475 NW Division St., Gresham, OR 97030.
This event is family-friendly, free, open to all, and co-produced by Multnomah County and City Club of Portland.
The program begins at 4:30pm and includes my State of the County address, followed by a moderated discussion with the brilliant Rukaiyah Adams, CEO of the 1803 Fund.
The State of the County will be followed by an informal reception on the new library’s beautiful rooftop terrace – refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP here!

Involvement Opportunities:

Pictured Above: Tabling with the Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services Advisory Council

Intellectual & Developmental Disability Services Advisory Council

Accepting Applications

Multnomah County is officially seeking dedicated community members to join our Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Advisory Council. This is your opportunity to provide vital input on the services and policies that impact our community. Please ensure you review the Advisory Council Voluntary Job Position before submitting.

Apply online or by mail by May 22nd, 2026, by 11:59pm.

Learn more and apply here!

Pictured Above: Community Involvement Committee members present

to the Board of County Commissioners

Community Involvement Committee

Accepting Applications

Do you want to help reduce barriers to civic participation? Do you enjoy working with a diverse group to recommend improvements to engagement? If so, the County's Community Involvement Committee (CIC) may be a great committee for you!

The Community Involvement Committee is extending their recruitment until July 1st! Advising the Office of Community Involvement and sharing recommendations with the Board of County Commissioners, members share experience and knowledge to improve community engagement at Multnomah County. Apply today online with Better Impact!

Learn more and apply here!

Draft Climate Justice Plan Final Review

Attend a Session

Interested in how the Office of Sustainability has incorporated community feedback into the revised Climate Justice Plan? Join them for the Draft Climate Justice Plan Final Review!

This will be your last chance to provide feedback before the revised Climate Justice Plan is published. Meetings are on Tuesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 21 and will outline how we've used community feedback in the revisions and listen to any last minute feedback on these revised strategies.

We hope to see you online or in person at one of these reviews!

The Burnside Bridge turns 100!

You're invited to a milestone birthday party

A few days after its official centennial birthday, Multnomah County, in partnership with multiple agencies and organizations, will host the Burnside Bridge Centennial Celebration – a once-in-a-lifetime community celebration honoring the history of the Burnside Bridge.

WHEN: Saturday, May 30, 2026

WHERE: On top of the Burnside Bridge

TIME: 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Learn more and sign up to volunteer or vend here!

East County Library Opening

You're invited!

The brand new, state of the art, 95,000 square feet East County Library will open this Saturday, May 16th! Beyond rows of books, the new library will serve as a community hub that includes an auditorium for public events, an outdoor area, and so much more.

Join the grand opening celebration this weekend and see this wonder for yourself at 475 NW Division St.

Review the Schedule of events for May 16-17th!

Pictured Above: The Better Impact logo and a sign welcoming

guests to an emergency shelter.

Emergency Management

Make an Account to Volunteer!

Effective this summer, Multnomah County will move away from using SignUp Genius to manage shelter volunteer registration, to its new platform, Better Impact.

Better Impact will be the sole platform for County staff and community volunteers to sign up for emergency shelter support shifts during severe weather events. Whether you are a current volunteer or are interested in volunteering for the first time, you must have a Better Impact account to sign-up as a shelter volunteer or any role supporting emergency activations. You will not be able to volunteer during an emergency activation without a Better Impact account. Click here to register for an account with Better Impact.

Already have a Better Impact account? You can sign up for volunteer

shifts using your existing log in by merging profiles.

Learn more about volunteering at Disaster Resource Centers

Charter Review Corner

launch video of the 2027-2028 Multnomah County Charter Review

Charter Review Process Launch!

The 2027-2028 Charter Review Process has officially launched - with public education materials, including the above video and Frequently Asked Questions about both the Review Process and the Committee,

now live on the Charter website!

Now is a great time to review the website information, check out the current charter, and get folks you know excited about this opportunity

to impact county governance! Recruitment for Charter Review Committee members will begin on July 1st, 2026.

Learn more about the Charter Review Process