A proposed budget for the coming fiscal year shows Metro adding 16 new staff members, a 3 percent increase stemming from a convergence of factors at the regional government.
In her proposed budget, Metro chief operating officer Martha Bennett calls for about $118 million in general fund spending for the 2014-15 fiscal year, which begins July 1.
That's an increase of about 1.3 percent from the current fiscal year, coming amid a 2 percent increase in tax collections by the regional government.
Part of the increase is because of the 2013 passage of the operating levy for the regional parks and natural areas programs, Bennett said. The increase is also thanks to the region's recovering economy.
"Metro's general fund revenues … lag the economy by 18 to 36 months," she said. Collections of excise taxes – primarily a tax on the region's trash – are projected to increase about 8 percent in the coming fiscal year.
Property taxes, meanwhile, are only up about 2.3 percent, even lower than the 3 percent cap on property tax increases set in the Oregon Constitution.
"We won't see … an up tick in the property taxes probably until fiscal 15-16," Bennett said.
Overall, Metro is projected to collect $78 million in taxes in the coming fiscal year, up from the $76 million the regional government is projected to collect in taxes this year.
Lastly, one-time savings on pensions because of statewide PERS reforms have allowed for more fiscal flexibility, Bennett said.
All of that leads to the proposed addition of 16 new staff members, nearly half of which are slated to be added at Metro's visitor venues.
"For several years the Oregon Zoo has been reviewing temporary staff usage," the budget says. "Where it is apparent that temporary staff are being used on a regular full-time basis, a regular benefit eligible position is requested instead."
Another four positions are being added to support the work of the natural areas levy.
The general fund makes up only a portion of Metro's $480 million budget. More than half of Metro's revenue comes from the $124 million the regional government collects in fees for service, including waste disposal, management of the Oregon Convention Center, Oregon Zoo, the downtown Portland performance venues and the Expo Center. Regional parks generate $5.8 million in fees.
The budget calls for about $72 million in capital spending in 2014, with about $26 million of that planned to be spent on the elephant habitat at the Oregon Zoo. Another $2.9 million in capital spending is budgeted for replacing the roof at the Oregon Convention Center. The proposed budget calls for $2.3 million in capital improvements at Metro parks, including new playgrounds and restrooms at Blue Lake Regional Park.
The Metro Council is slated to take up the budget beginning with a public hearing on April 24. The Multnomah County Tax Supervising and Conservation Commission is scheduled to review the budget June 5.