Portland City Forester updates budget cut info

The figures in a Jan. 25 post regarding proposed budget cuts for Urban Forestry have since changed, according to Portland City Forester David McAllister.

His Feb. 5 comments to Growth Rings:

Mayor Adams asked that all bureaus in the City except Fire and Police provide recommended budgets with a four percent cut in operating funds.

Portland Parks and its Urban Forestry program submitted cuts worth $143,500, a slight correction to the $250,000 reported in this blog. The difference was cuts in Park’s natural areas restoration program, which focuses on herbaceous vegetation.

Offering this size cut level was a very difficult decision but past budget reductions has left urban forestry and Parks, in general, without any reserves and with no choice other than submitting cuts in core programs.

But this is just the start of the budget process, as these are the cuts proposed by urban forestry given the Mayor’s direction.

Citizens do have a voice and City Council will listen if residents would like fewer cuts or cuts prioritized differently or in different areas.

McAllister stressed that nothing is finalized yet and the public still has an opportunity to voice an opinion. On April 30, the mayor is expected to release his proposed budget decisions. Visit this Portland Parks site to monitor the budgetary timeline.

–Toshio Suzuki