Public Safety Cuts Approved, Layoffs Will Happen

The Multnomah County’s board of commissioners today  approved $2.6 million in public safety cuts.

19 full-time positions will be eliminated. Chair Deborah Kafoury opposed the closure of a 73-bed jail. She offered to use emergency funds to keep it open through March 15.

The cuts will be felt statewide, and many counties are preparing for the same scenarios. Commissioners were outspoken about the cuts to the Governor.

In a statement earlier this week, the Governor said the corrections community needs to be “more transparent’’ about their services before more funding is provided.