Public Notice: Vaccine Deadlines, Council Budget Updates, and Local Road Repair Schedule
Public Health Advisory: Measles Outbreak and Immunization Deadline
Multnomah County health officials have issued an urgent advisory following the declaration of a measles outbreak in Oregon. As of February 24, 2026, state health data indicates the virus has been detected in multiple counties, including wastewater surveillance findings in Multnomah County. Health officials are reminding all residents that the statewide vaccine 'catch-up' deadline is Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Under Oregon law, students in schools and childcare facilities who do not have updated immunization records or valid exemptions will be excluded from attendance starting tomorrow.
Families who received exclusion warnings are encouraged to visit their regular healthcare provider or one of the County’s Student Health Centers immediately. These centers provide vaccinations at no out-of-pocket cost for children ages 5 to 18, regardless of insurance status. Maintaining high community vaccination rates is considered the primary defense against further transmission during this current outbreak.
City Council & Legislative Updates: Refugee Support and Small Business Relief
The Portland City Council has moved forward with several high-priority legislative items during this week's committee sessions. The Community and Public Safety Committee is reviewing an ordinance to reallocate $150,000 from the Legal Priorities Reserve Fund. These funds are designated to bolster legal services for refugees and immigrants within the city. Additionally, the Council is considering a resolution to commemorate the life of George Floyd and reaffirm Portland’s commitment to racial justice.
For local entrepreneurs, the Finance Committee is reviewing a proposal to increase the Business License Tax (BLT) gross receipts exemption. If approved, the exemption threshold would rise to $75,000 for the 2026 tax year. This adjustment is intended to provide meaningful relief to approximately 4,200 small businesses and sole proprietors, aligning city policy with current economic conditions and Multnomah County’s existing thresholds.
Bureau of Transportation: Active Road Work and Maintenance
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has scheduled critical maintenance work for Tuesday, February 24. Crews are active in the 2800 block of SW Mitchell for base repairs to address cavities in the roadway. Work is expected to take place between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and travelers should anticipate delays of up to 20 minutes. Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic.
Neighborhood gravel street maintenance also continues through the end of the month. Residents in the Brentwood-Darlington, Mt. Tabor, Cully, and Montavilla neighborhoods may see PBOT crews performing essential grading and service work. While these projects are temporary, residents are advised to obey all work zone signage and travel cautiously around heavy equipment. Elsewhere in the county, repairs continue on the NE Marine Drive overpass at 223rd Avenue, where a detour remains in place due to structural damage.