Engage Multnomah County - September 2026

Engage Multnomah County

September 2026

Pictured Above: Ellen, the Charter Review Committee Program Coordinator, tabling about the Charter Review at Gresham's Rock the Block event 8/22/26 .

Office of Community Involvement September 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 more information!

Involvement Opportunities:

2027 - 2028 Charter Review Committee

Information Sessions Scheduled & Applications Open!!

We are in the final weeks of recruitment for the Charter Review Committee (CRC) and we need your help! If you have been thinking of applying but haven't yet, please come to an upcoming information session (schedule is below) to meet with Ellen and learn more about the work of the CRC and get support with your application. In addition, please do share the opportunity with 1-2 people you know who could make an impact!

The CRC committee offers a real opportunity to make a change. Members of the committee will study the County Charter and if they decide to propose amendments those will directly go to a public vote in 2028. If you or someone you know is passionate about civic engagement in Multnomah County, now is the time to act!

Important Timelines & Details:

Information Sessions Now Live: We have two weeks of virtual and in-person info sessions left through September 25, 2026. Come to a session to ask questions, learn about the committee, and get direct assistance with your application. Find the schedule linked here.
Application Deadline: We close recruitment on October 1st!

How You Can Support This Today:

Apply: Bring your perspective to the table and help steer the future of our county.
Spread the Word: Share this opportunity and the new info session schedule with your networks, neighbors, and community groups.

Multnomah County Property Values

Appeals Board

Accepting Applications

Are you someone interested in local property values and have a passion for serving your community? Consider joining the Multnomah County Property Value Appeals Board (PVAB)!

The PVAB presides over hearings in which property owners present evidence to change the value of their real or personal property. The role of a board member is to hear each case, then determine if the current value is appropriate or if it should be reduced. The board will be active between February and mid April of next year. People may volunteer anywhere between 1 to 5 days per week (half days are available for the morning or afternoon if full days are not possible) and there is a per diem to compensate them for their time.

Applications are due September 30, 2026. For help with PVAB procedural questions, please call the clerk at (503) 988-2225 or email PVAB@multco.us.

Learn more and apply!

New Animal Shelter and Service Shelter Design

Community Input Needed!

Pictured Above: the current Animal Services building

Multnomah County is seeking input from community members as it designs its proposed new animal shelter and service center.

The County has launched an online “open house” where community members can share feedback that can help shape the future facility while they also learn more about Multnomah County Animal Services and understand why a new building is needed.

Multnomah County Animal Services is Multnomah County’s animal control agency, and its facility in Troutdale operates the County’s only public animal shelter. The shelter offers many services unavailable at private and nonprofit shelters, including taking in lost, abandoned, sick, stray and neglected animals, and responding to public safety and animal welfare concerns.

The County is now envisioning how a new animal services center would look, feel, and be accessed by the public, volunteers, and staff. We need your input and support! Learn about the project and provide feedback through Thursday, Oct. 1. On this page, community members can:

Learn about the County’s animal services programs
Understand the challenges of the current facility
Share what would make the future building more welcoming, easier to navigate and more functional
Sign up for project updates

The County will complete a concept design for the new facility this fall, and will offer opportunities for the public to review and provide input on ways to make the facility welcoming to both the animals and people it serves.

LEARN MORE: Multnomah County invites community input on the future animal services facility

Stark Street Bridge Replacement Design

Share your feedback!

Pictured above: a design proposed for the Stark Street Bridge Replacement

Multnomah County is sharing its initial Stark Street Bridge Replacement Project design option recommendation with the community after months of public outreach, engineering and environmental analysis. The County is recommending to preserve the existing bridge and build a new seismically-resilient bridge downstream.

Your input throughout the life of this project matters! Visit the project survey to share your initial thoughts on the design recommendation and learn how community feedback shaped this design recommendation.

Please submit your comments by October 19.

TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Sessions in Corbett, Troutdale or online to share your feedback with our project team:

Thursday, September 17 in Corbett

Corbett Fire Hall

36930 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Corbett

Drop by between 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Monday, September 28

Virtual Presentation (Zoom Webinar)

Noon-1p.m.

Find zoom link at: starkstreetbridge.org

Tuesday, September 29 in Troutdale

Drop by between 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Troutdale Station Food Cart Pod

151 S.W. 257th Drive, Troutdale

Attend a Preparedness Presentation

Learn More

Are you interested in learning more about emergency preparedness and the natural hazards that we face in Multnomah County?

Multnomah County Emergency Management is hosting an upcoming All Hazards Preparedness Presentation and members of the public are invited. In this presentation, attendees will learn about Alert and Warning Systems, build awareness about local hazards, and how to prepare themselves and loved ones for emergencies:

Tues, 10/20 at 6:00 p.m. at Holgate Library, SE Holgate Blvd.

RSVP on Facebook