So far, the Portland Salary Commission has met three times to study foundational documents, discuss roles and responsibilities, receive a training about public meetings law, and hear a presentation from Portland’s Bureau of Human Resources on research and analysis relating to setting compensation. In their last meeting, Commissioners decided on a methodology that promotes the values of anti-racism, equity, and fiscal responsibility as the primary lens, and applied data sets and invited expertise that they will use in May meetings to draft a salary proposal for the mayor, city councilors and auditor.
Meetings in May will continue discussions on research, invited expertise, and equity principles for setting compensation with guidance from the City’s Bureau of Human Resources and Transition Team equity practitioners.
Visit this page to view meeting materials and minutes for past events.
Salary commission public meeting schedule
May: Research, analysis, initial recommendations
Tuesday, May 9, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #4 (Public comment)
Tuesday, May 23, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #5 (Public comment)
Tuesday, May 30, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #6 (Extended public comment)
June: Release draft salary proposal
Tuesday, June 13, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #7 (Public comment)
Thursday, June 15: Draft proposal released, public engagement begins
Tuesday, June 27, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #8 (Extended public comment)
July: Revise and vote
Monday, July 10: Public engagement on draft proposal ends
Tuesday, July 11, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission meeting #9 (Vote)
Tuesday, July 25, 6 to 8 p.m. Commission Meeting #10 (Second vote if needed)
August: Evaluation
Tuesday, August 22, 6 to 9 p.m. Commission meeting #11
About the Salary Commission
Guided by Portland’s Bureau of Human Resources, the new, Independent Salary Commission will research and establish salaries for 12 elected councilors, the mayor, and the auditor in Portland’s new government structure. The commission will work to uphold the City’s core values and the Charter Commission’s desired outcomes and consider how to recruit interest of people who have not traditionally been elected to city council or to the mayor’s office in the electoral process.
Salaries will take effect on July 1 of each odd year — except for the first commission’s salary decisions, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. For this first round, salaries will be adopted by Aug. 1, 2023. A new salary commission will be appointed every two years to evaluate and set the salaries for all elected positions in Portland.