18%
of Metro's operating budget comes from property tax revenues. The majority of revenues are derived from enterprise functions such as Oregon Zoo admissions, solid waste revenues, and park fees.
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Finances and funding
About Metro › Finances and funding
Find out how Metro is funded and how money is spent.
Download Metro budgets and financial reports
In addition to meeting basic operational needs, Metro's adopted budget reflects the goals and objectives of the Metro Council, and indicates our commitment to financial and operational excellence. Rated a “Double Triple” by bond rating agencies in March 2007, Metro continues to look for opportunities to strengthen our finances and set a standard of fiscal prudence, integrity and transparency.
The budget process
Metro’s budget process is a strategy-focused discussion of Council goals and critical success factors, programs and outcomes, and spending priorities within resource constraints.
The budget includes all major operating functions of Metro: Metro Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC), Oregon Zoo, Planning, Regional Parks and Greenspaces, and Solid Waste and Recycling. Also included are elected and administrative functions of Office of the Council, Office of the Auditor, Office of Metro Attorney, Finance and Administrative Services, Human Resources, and Public Affairs and Government Relations.
Financial reporting
In addition to Metro's annual budget, the Finance and Administrative Services department prepares quarterly reports and the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the external auditor's Single Audit.
Where does the money come from?
Resources to meet Metro's obligations and needs are derived from beginning fund balance and revenues.
The beginning fund balance is monies carried forward from previous fiscal years and include proceeds from voter-approved bonds, reserves for specific purposes and monies used to meet cash flow needs. The beginning balance for FY 2008-09 is $208,717,449.
Current revenues account for 54 percent of Metro's total resources. Enterprise activities provide the largest amount of fee-generated revenues, constituting 49 percent of current revenues. Metro's largest enterprise activity is solid waste disposal, generating $60 million, which comes from fees charged on solid waste deposited at Metro's transfer stations.
Metro will receive an estimated $45.6 million in property tax revenues in FY 2008-09. This includes current year tax receipts for operations ($10.6 million) and debt service levies ($33.7 million) for outstanding general obligation bond issues for the Open Spaces Acquisition Program, the original Oregon Convention Center construction, the Zoo's Great Northwest Project and the recently approved Natural Areas Program.
The Metro excise tax is paid by users of Metro facilities and services in accordance with the Metro Charter and Metro Code. The tax supports the costs of general government activities, such as the Council Office, elections expense, and lobbyist functions as well as various department activities.
Other sources of revenue include grants, interest earnings and donations.
Where does the money go?
Metro uses its resources for a variety of programs and functions prescribed by state law and Metro Charter and those related to its primary goals. Metro directs money to projects that go toward creating livable communities. Purposes include programs related to transportation planning, growth management, access to nature, clean air and water, waste reduction and education programs.
Metro expects to spend about $206.9 million in support of the operations of Metro facilities such as the Oregon Zoo, the Oregon Convention Center, the Expo Center, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Regional Parks and Greenspaces, and solid waste disposal facilities. Large expenditures in this area include solid waste transfer station operations and the transfer of solid waste to the Columbia Ridge Landfill in Gilliam County (about $29.2 million).
Approximately $60.6 million is provided for capital expenditures. The largest uses of capital funds are $38.9 million for land acquisition and capital expenditures related to the Natural Areas program, $2.5 million for solid waste facility capital projects, $5.6 million for capital improvements at the Oregon Zoo, $8.2 million in capital development at Metro Regional Parks, and $2.2 million for capital improvements at MERC facilities.
Need assistance?
Metro financial planning
finance@oregonmetro.gov
503-797-1616 | 503-797-1791 fax