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Metro realigns departments to better serve region

Metro news release: Sept. 23, 2008
Contact: Karen Kane at 503-797-1942

Metro, the elected regional government charged with protecting and enhancing the Portland metropolitan region’s quality of life, today announced plans to reexamine its business and management structure in order to sharpen its focus on continuous improvement and better serve the residents of the region.

The move announced today by Metro’s chief operating officer Michael Jordan represents the latest of several management improvements implemented by the Metro Council since 2000, when the voters of the region approved a new governance structure for the agency. These initiatives have increased financial stability and transparency, raised performance standards, and provided professional development opportunities for Metro staff.

Metro has long been recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in civic innovation. The current changes come as the Metro Council is pursuing several major initiatives to create great communities, protect environmental health, and support a strong economy as the region grows.

“Because the challenges we face as a region are increasingly complex and interdisciplinary, they demand more of us as public servants,” Jordan said. “Metro’s staff has risen to every challenge we’ve thrown at them, but we need to raise our game even further. By realigning our management structure, we will unleash the energy and creativity of our staff to find innovative solutions to regional problems.”

Jordan emphasized that the agency’s finances are sound and that the changes do not constitute a workforce reduction or cost saving strategy, nor will they diminish Metro’s services or hamper the agency’s ability to continue its role as a leader and convener of regional initiatives. Rather, they are intended to create more interdisciplinary approaches to agency efforts and break down barriers that inhibit collaboration between Metro’s departments.

Metro, the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.

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