Portland/Observer
May 23, 1974
Section 11
Page 9
Measure 7 - City, County Consolidation
The Charter would con
solidate into a single new
government 49 of the 76
present governmental units in
the county, including Mult
nomah County, the City of
Portland, special service dis
tricts and other cities in the
county whose citizens vote to
join. The other 27 govern
mental units, such as the Port
of Portland and all education
districts, will not be part of
the consolidation. Under the
proposed charter the govern
ment would have general
powers except where specifi
rally restricted. The new unit
will be called the City County
of Portland Multnomah: it will
constitute an incorporated city
which will also have the
powers of the county.
Mayor
The mayor is elected county
wide in a partisan election for
a four-year term and may not
serve more than three con
serutive terms.
He is in
charge of the administration of
the new government and will
be responsible for the or
ganization of the Office of
Management and Budget, and
the initial organization of all
governmental functions under
four specific departments. Al
though the Office of Manage
ment and Budget is indepen
dent of any department, and
the council will have the
power to approve its budget
and director.
The mayor may approve an
ordinance, veto it entirely,
veto any part deemed not
essential to Us mam purpose,
or veto any item contained in
a budget or appropriation
ordinance. An ordinance will
be law fifteen days after the
mayor receives it if it is neither
approved or vetoed by him. If
the mayor vetoes an ordi
nance, the council has fifteen
days to override the veto by a
concurring vote of seven of
the eleven councillors.
Or
dinances. except those dealing
with taxation, take effect on
their specified dates. An or
dinance affecting taxation
which is adopted by the people
or by a twothirds vote of the
council takes effect on the
date specified. But if less than
twothirds of the council ap
proves, the tax ordinance does
not take effect for 60 days.
The mayor's salary will be
the same as that of the Mayor
of the City of Portland on May
28. 1974 Councillors' salaries
will be equal to salaries of
Portland City Commissioners
on May 28. 1974
Presently
the mayor earns (32.344.00
and the council members.
$25,393.00.
Council
Councillors are elected for
four year terms, except that
councillors in odd numbered
districts serve a twoyear
term in the first election.
Councillors are elected in a
partisan election and may not
serve for more than four
consecutive terms.
Candidates for at large post
tions must reside in the city-
county: if from a district, they
must live in the district repre
senled. Candidates must dis
close all sources of income of
their own, their spouses, and
of all dependents living in the
same household. They must
also disclose indebtedness in
any amount exceeding 10
percent of the annual salary of
the office for themselves, their
spouses and dependents living
in the same household. Elec
live officers must devote full
time to their office and many
not hold any other lucrative
public office or position or
pursue any other vocation.
FOR
Employment
Section 9.1 of the Charter
states: "There shall be pre
served and continued, to at
least the same extent as they
exist immediately prior to the
effective date, the employment
status and pensions and other
benefit rights of employees of
the consolidating govern
ments . .. * The charter con
tains civil rights protection
and requires an affirmative
action program to prevent
discrimination in city county-
employment. The city-county
will have a classified ment
system based on ability to do
assigned work. A Civil Ser
vice Board will oversee the
system.
The city county will be
divided into property taxing
districts. The tax base for the
consolidated area will be
$77,000,000. For a period of
four fiscal years following city
county consolidation, all City
of Portland and special district
taxes will be frozen, subject to
Oregon's Constitutional 6 per
rent limitation.
A uniform
city-county tax will be levied
in the consolidated area.
Those who support this
charter say:
1. A consolidated govern
ment could effectively combine
the resources, talents and
manpower of city, county, and
special service districts which
are now for the most part un
coordinated.
2. A consolidated govern
ment can provide fiscal equity
throughout the county.
3. A consolidated govern
ment would be more flexible
to changing needs.
4. Accountability can be pin
pointed more easily in a single
elected executive.
5. Citizens would have
greater access to their govern
ment through their district
councillors.
AGAINST
Those who- opposed this
charter say:
1. Consolidation cannot auto
matically solve multi-county
metropolitan problems.
2. The charter provides that
the mayor and council can
make ordinances effective im
mediately which denies the
right of referendum.
3. Eleven full time. fully
paid council members with
staff and no administrative
duties will be an unnecessary
expense.
4. Too much power will be
concentrated in the office of
the mayor.
5. If small cities opt out.
their boundaries are frozen,
preventing their growth.
Schedule
May 28. 1974 - Primary-
election. at which time con
solidation will be on the ballot.
If consolidation is approved by
voters:
September 10. 1974
Pri
mary election for mayor and
councillors.
November 5. 1974
Gen
eral election for mayor and
councillors.
November 12. .1974
Mayor
may call and convene a
meeting of the council at
which time the council may
organize itself and prepare
and adopt rules.
December 16. 1974
Ef
fective date of charter.
STEVENSON
/*
Labor Commissioner - Democrat
Bil l. STEVENSON
ENDORSED
"The Oregonian recommends Stevenson to the Democrats. Steven
son has impressed legislators of both parties with his hard work
and dedication . .. I Hef. .. has the confidence of the legislature..."
The Oregon Journal said "Stevenson is well qualified to hold the
office. Eor a young man he has a wealth of experience that would
serve him well as labor commissioner. Stevenson . . combines the
political and professional experience along with the personal com
mitment to merit the Democratic nomination ..."
The Portland Observer said "The Bureau of labor is responsible
for the enforcement of Civil Rights laws and as such is one of the
most important puhlic offices in the state Stevenson's experience
and his liberal voting record indicate he is the best candidate for
the position."
Kil l STE3ENMIN
Stevenson (or la b o r Commissioner Committee. M l S \\ nth Ave..
Rm. 612. Portland. Oregon 97205. 5 22 71.