Below are a few of the major issues that have had an impacted on the county over the last few years.

FY20

  • While FY20 is not yet presented in this report, the impact and county response related to the global pandemic (COVID-19) will have a significant impact on county operations.

FY19

  • The new Health Department headquarters opened.
  • The county went live with the new suite of ERP systems in January 2019.
  • Significant projects under construction include the downtown courthouse.

FY18

  • The county’s new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system replacement project was under way in FY18.
  • Wapato facility was sold in FY18.
  • Significant projects under construction include the downtown courthouse and the Health Department headquarters.

FY17

  • In 2016, Multnomah County and the City of Portland created the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), thereby consolidating homeless services under the county. Beginning in FY17 the county began recognizing funding related to the JOHS program.
  • $25 million lump sum annual payment (at the discretion of the county's CFO) to PERS starting with FY17 per Resolution 2016-1.7.
  • Significant projects under construction include the downtown courthouse and the Health Department headquarters.

FY16

  • At the beginning of FY16 the Department of County Human Services (Social Services) transferred the Mental Health and Addictions Services (MHAS) to the Health Department (Health Services).
  • The Sellwood Bridge project was completed and the new bridge opened in the spring of 2016.
  • The downtown courthouse construction project began the design and construction phase.

FY15

  • The City of Portland contributed $20 million to the Sellwood Bridge project.

FY14

  • About $75 million received for the Sellwood Bridge construction project. Two-thirds of the $75 million came from the City of Portland, about $20 million came from federal awards and about $5 million came from direct state funding.
  • The county received $10 million from the Portland Development Commission as an initial payment for the construction of a new downtown health department headquarters.

FY13

  • November 2012, voters approved the formation of a Library District with a permanent rate for property taxes. The county will continue to operate the library system under an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Library District beginning in FY14.
  • The county issued $128 million in Full Faith and Credit obligations in December 2012 for the Sellwood Bridge project.
  • Southeast Health Center opened in April 2013.

FY12

  • The project to replace the Sellwood Bridge began construction in late FY12.
  • The East County Courthouse and Data Center relocation project was completed in the spring of 2012.

FY11

  • The $19 million per year Vehicle Registration Fee began, and will be in place for 20 years to provide resources for construction and subsequent debt service requirements for the Sellwood Bridge.
  • Rockwood Community Health Center opened in August 2010.
  • The county issued $15 million in Full Faith and Credit bonds to finance the construction of the new East County Courthouse.

FY10

  • Issued $9.8 million in Full Faith and Credit Obligations to replace the county's data center, telephone enhancements, and other projects.
  • Received $8.8 million from the Portland Development Commission to be used for the Downtown Courthouse Hawthorne Bridge ramp relocation project.

FY09

  • The county transfers $24 million from the General Fund to retire debt related to county buildings and pay off other debt issues.
  • In June 2009, the Motor Vehicle Rental Tax base rates went from 10% to 14.5%.

FY08

  • Sauvie Island Bridge opened in June 2008; total cost $45.7 million.

FY07

  • $6.4 million one-time-only payment to schools.

FY06

  • Transfer 50 miles of county roads to the City of Gresham.
  • Final year of the temporary local personal income tax, $84.8 million to schools, $36.1 million to county. Collections on delinquent accounts are recognized in subsequent years.

FY05
  • $25 million Oregon Transportation Investment Act awarded for county bridges.
  • Second year of the temporary local personal income tax, $96 million to schools, $34.2 million to county.