State of the County
On February 12, Ted Wheeler will speak about the state of Multnomah County. He will discuss how the county protected human and community services during an economic crunch and will share ideas about how community partnerships can help the county address future problems. He will also discuss current challenges in maintaining public safety.
Wheeler has had a run of political successes, including reducing a potential $46 million budget deficit to a $4 million shortfall. Now Wheeler is preparing to spend some of his political capital as he gears up for a struggle over the administration of Multnomah County jails. A long-time bailiwick of the sheriff’s office, Wheeler — claiming poor budget management and lack of accountability — wants to shift jail oversight to the Board of Commissioners. Skeptics argue that it is a personal and ideological move driven by tension between the Sheriff’s office and the County Commissioners, as well as Wheeler’s own preference for prevention over incarceration.
Ted Wheeler earned an MBA from Columbia University and a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard University. Wheeler worked for several financial services companies before assuming his current position as Multnomah County Chair in 2007.
To read Chair Wheeler's remarks, or see a video of his address, please click here.
