adopted resolution 2025-011

Appoint Michael Jordan as City Administrator

elections government
appointment

Introduced by: Mayor Keith Wilson
Status: Adopted

Impact statement

Purpose & background

The 2022 charter amendments established a mayor/council form of government with a new role of the City Administrator. Under the voter-approved charter change, the City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. Michael Jordan was appointed as Interim City Administrator by Mayor Ted Wheeler and started this interim position in July 1, 2024. Mayor Keith Wilson is submitting this resolution for the appointment of Michael Jordan as City Administrator for council confirmation per the requirements of the updated City Charter.

Financial impacts

This Fiscal Impact Statement includes the pay range and relevant terms for the City Administrator. Actual pay is to be negotiated, but estimated to be substantially similar to budgeted amounts in the current fiscal year and planned in the FY 2025-26 budget. Pay Range: $277,492.80 to $383,864.00 annually Term: NA Severance package: NA

Economic impacts

Not applicable.

Community impacts

The Charter Commission led an extensive process to develop their proposals, which were submitted to voters for approval. A key element of the proposal was implementing a City Administrator to assist the Mayor run the day-to-day operations of the City. The Charter reflects several qualifications and responsibilities of the role of the City Administrator. Information about the community engagement can be found in the Charter Commission’s final report at https://www.portland.gov/charte… .

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

WHEREAS, on November 8, 2022, voters approved Portland Measure 26-228 (the Measure) which amended the City Charter, establishing a governance structure with an executive Mayor and legislative Council, wherein a City Administrator assists the Mayor in the management of the City; and WHEREAS, following the passage of the Measure, then-Chief Administrative Officer Michael Jordan led the City Transition Team, a project team responsible for implementing the voter-approved changes to the City’s election system and form of government; and WHEREAS, on November 1, 2023, City Council passed Resolution 37635, which directed then-Chief Administrative Officer Michael Jordan to carry out a change management process and implement an organizational structure that aligned with the new governance structure; and WHEREAS, Section 2-401 (f) of Portland’s City Charter provides that the Mayor appoints the City Administrator, subject to City Council confirmation; and WHEREAS, in May of 2024, Michael Jordan was formally appointed as Interim City Administrator by then-Mayor Ted Wheeler and has been acting in that official capacity since July 1, 2024; and WHEREAS, Mayor Keith Wilson has carefully reviewed Michael Jordan’s qualifications, his years of service to the city, and his work as Interim City Administrator, further outlined in Exhibit A; and WHEREAS, Mayor Keith Wilson finds that Michael Jordan, having served 40-plus years in public service in various leadership positions within municipal governments and agencies with a wide range of complexity and size, is uniquely qualified to fulfill the responsibilities of the City Administrator as outlined in Section 2-406 of City Charter; and WHEREAS, Mayor Keith Wilson has appointed, subject to Council confirmation, Michael Jordan as City Administrator; and WHEREAS, Michael Jordan will serve as City Administrator through January 2, 2026; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council hereby confirms Michael Jordan’s appointment as City Administrator in accordance with this resolution.

Tally

11 yea 1 nay