Mary Li, an aide to Portland City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane, has been at the center of a controversy involving her simultaneous employment in two government positions, earning her nearly $255,000 annually.Li began her full-time role as chief of staff on March 31, 2025, while continuing her part-time job with Multnomah County until May 30, 2025, a practice that has raised questions about transparency and adherence to public employment policies.
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oregonlive.combrianowendoff380627.substack.comLi’s dual employment arrangement allowed her to earn an annual salary of $130,811 from the City of Portland and $124,287 from Multnomah County, where she worked on health equity projects.Both governments have confirmed that they were aware of and approved this overlapping employment, a situation described by city officials as "highly unusual," if not unprecedented, among public employees in the area.
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oregonlive.combrianowendoff380627.substack.comCity spokesperson Alison Perkins indicated that Koyama Lane had the discretion to approve such arrangements.Additionally, it was noted that Li and Koyama Lane later signed an outside employment agreement intended to ensure transparency.However, this agreement was executed after the two-month overlap had already taken place, leading to further scrutiny of the situation.
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brianowendoff380627.substack.comCritics have pointed out that many public employees transitioning between the two governments are typically required to have clean breaks between positions, without overlap.Multiple current and former employees voiced their concerns to The Oregonian/OregonLive, highlighting that strict separation between roles is often enforced to prevent conflicts of interest and favoritism.
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brianowendoff380627.substack.comLi has defended her dual roles, asserting that the arrangement was meant to facilitate a smooth transition from her county job to her new position with the city.She emphasized her commitment to her work at the county, stating that she aimed to wind down her projects thoughtfully rather than leaving abruptly.During the two-month period, she reportedly worked approximately 72 hours a week, including nights and weekends, to fulfill her responsibilities to both employers.
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oregonlive.combrianowendoff380627.substack.comFinancially, Li's situation is compounded by her retirement from Multnomah County in July 2024, after which she returned as a temporary employee, allowing her to collect a public pension of $7,927 per month in addition to her salaries from both jobs.This arrangement has drawn further criticism, as it appears to afford her a unique set of advantages not typically available to other public employees.
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brianowendoff380627.substack.comWhile officials from both the city and the county have maintained that Li's employment was handled appropriately, they have struggled to provide precedent or documentation to justify the exceptional circumstances surrounding her case.As the dual employment scenario unfolds, questions remain about the equity of such arrangements in public service and the potential implications for governance in Portland.
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brianowendoff380627.substack.comLi's case has sparked discussions about public sector employment practices in Portland, especially regarding the balance between flexibility for experienced employees and adherence to established protocols.The situation underscores the complexities of navigating dual roles in government, particularly in a city where public trust and transparency are paramount concerns.
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oregonlive.combrianowendoff380627.substack.comAs scrutiny continues, public officials may need to reevaluate the policies governing employment practices to ensure that all employees are held to the same standards, thereby preserving the integrity of local government operations and public trust in elected officials.
