City of Hillsboro · November 3, 2026

Portland City Council, Council · Ward 1, Position A

4
Candidates: 1
Seats: Vote for one
Method: Nov 3
Due 8 p.m.

Hillsboro’s three wards are where councilors must live; every councilor represents the whole city. Find your ward on the city’s map.Hillsboro’s three wards are where councilors must live; every councilor represents the whole city. Find your ward on the city’s map.Not yours? City Auditor

Our readingDraft

The dividing line is how each candidate would condition industrial growth: measurable community benefits, decisions grounded in evidence and stewardship, full cost recovery from data centers, and ending data-center tax breaks altogether. Ask what each would require before approving the next project.

4 candidates, A–Z. Tap any position to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source.

6 more choices, below6 more choices

Where each candidate stands on four issues, in our short reading of their statements. Each position is a button; activate it to read the sentence, how they would deliver it, and the source. Candidates appear alphabetically.
Candidate	3 of 4 documented	2 of 4 documented	4 of 4 documented	4 of 4 documented
Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist	Homes	Safety	Money	Streets

What this office decides right now

What’s at stake

Hillsboro’s Ward 1 councilor is one of six votes beside the mayor on the two-year budget ($1.95 billion for 2025–27), the enterprise-zone fees data centers pay, the moratorium and zoning that govern where they go, utility fees, the sanctuary ordinance’s follow-through and downtown housing rules. The term opens with the moratorium up for review in November, an October zoning hearing, fee hearings in November and a $90 million police headquarters under construction.

Each of this office’s 6 live choices is a board below, with every candidate’s stated position or the gap.

$1.95 billion biennium
The 2025–27 adopted budget totals $1,946,850,001 for two years across the city’s funds; the next council writes the 2027–29 budget in spring 2027, with the enterprise-zone and Strategic Investment Program funds that data-center agreements feed among its largest discretionary sources.
Intel abatement windfall
The June 23, 2026 supplemental budget added $25.4 million, including $10.2 million in unexpected property tax as Intel’s 2005 abatement expired; $9.5 million of it went to a Strategic Investment Program reserve and $726,000 to immigration-response programs the council had approved without budgeting.
Data-center tax base
Twelve abated data-center companies held about $7.2 billion in exempt property value in 2025 and still paid about $61.1 million in taxes; 33 of the city’s 50 enterprise-zone agreements are data-center sites, the enterprise-zone fund holds about $55 million, and data centers used 111 million gallons of water in 2025, 1.76% of the city’s total.
Moratorium clock
Resolution 2932 (July 27, 2026, 6–0) bars new or expanded data-center and battery-storage applications for 120 days and must be reviewed for extension or repeal by November 24; the city counts 23 data-center sites on about 570 acres, and the governor’s task-force report is due in October.
$90 million police HQ
A new police headquarters consolidating the East and West precincts is estimated at about $90 million; in June 2025 the council raised its authorized full-faith-and-credit borrowing from $70 million to $95 million (Ordinance 6503), with debt service paid from the Strategic Investment Program fund rather than the general fund.
Streets short $4 million
The pavement program needs about $8.5 million a year but the transportation utility fee yields about $4.5 million, and transportation spending outruns revenue by about $2 million a year; staff recommend raising the fee to $11.64 a month for a home, with a public hearing in November and new rates January 1, 2027.
First year-round shelter
The city’s first year-round shelter at 345 SW 17th Avenue opened November 14, 2025 with 75 sleeping spaces (35 congregate beds and 40 pods), built for $17 million including $8.3 million of Metro supportive-housing money through the county and run by Project Homeless Connect.

Where they stand · six more choices

Six choices the City of Hillsboro faces

One question at a time: every candidate’s answer, A–Z, with its source. Open all to see who has said nothing about what.

Data-center moratoriumAdopt the new data-center zoning limits on October 6 and extend the 120-day moratorium past November 24?4 of 4 on record

On July 27, 2026 the council adopted Resolution 2932, a 120-day moratorium on new or expanded data-center and battery-storage applications, 6–0; it must be reviewed by November 24. The city counts 23 data-center sites on about 570 acres, 16 of them built. On September 9 the Planning Commission approved a code amendment limiting data centers to two industrial zones and 1,000 feet from schools and capping accessory data centers at 25% of a site; the council hearing is October 6.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Voted for moratorium
What they did
Voted yes July 27, 2026 on Resolution 2932, calling the moratorium a needed pause to develop structure and understanding, and yes July 7 to start the data-storage code amendment; his statement asks for thoughtful data-center growth weighing neighborhood impacts.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
Concern near schools
Said: What they said
Told the council June 23, 2026 she questioned whether proposed data centers support local economic goals and worried about data centers near schools, asking what protections the city will adopt; the moratorium’s extension is unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Farmland over data centers
Said: What they said
Would protect farmland from the impacts of semiconductors and data centers and make decisions on science and data; the moratorium and the October code amendment are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
Stop the buildout
Said: What they said
Says Hillsboro should not continue expanding data centers at the expense of land, water, power, neighborhoods and quality of life, with strict oversight and wastewater testing for permitted facilities.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Data-center tax breaksRaise the fees data centers pay on abated taxes and set stricter terms on new abatements?3 of 4 on recordNot found: Luis Garcia

The council sets the enterprise-zone community service fee (up to 33% of abated tax in years one to three, 50% in years four and five) and, with the school district, the 15% school support fee. Twelve abated data-center companies held about $7.2 billion of exempt property value in 2025 and still paid about $61.1 million in taxes; the enterprise-zone fund holds about $55 million. On July 21, 2026 the council paused new Strategic Investment Program deals with stand-alone data centers for 180 days, 4–0, a month after a lawsuit over 17 applications.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Categories by impact
What they did
At the June 9, 2026 work session raised concerns that phased abatements advantage companies already in Hillsboro and asked for data-center categories by size and environmental impact; was excused from the July 21 vote pausing new agreements. Fee levels unsaid.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
No data-center breaks
Said: What they said
Says the city should grow small businesses rather than give tax breaks to data centers, and that being singularly focused on one industry is detrimental.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
Pay fair share
Said: What they said
Would make data centers pay their fair share for the infrastructure and services they use and hold major polluters accountable.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

Utility feesRaise the transportation utility fee to $11.64 a month and sewer and stormwater rates about 5% from January 1?2 of 4 on recordNot found: Diana Jackson, Luis Garcia

On July 21, 2026 staff recommended raising the transportation utility fee to $11.64 a month for a home: the pavement program needs about $8.5 million a year and revenue allows about $4.5 million. On July 7 staff proposed roughly 5% sewer and stormwater increases, about $4.18 a month in the first year. Hearings are set for November with new rates January 1, 2027; drinking-water rates are set separately by the Utilities Commission, which is weighing 4–4.5% for 2027.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Who pays, affordability
What they did
Voted yes June 23, 2026 on the 5.1% solid-waste increase; at the July 7 session asked about commercial, industrial and data-center customers and who pays for infrastructure; excused from the July 21 transportation-fee session. Names utility affordability in his statement.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
Utility bills count
Said: What they said
Says affordability includes the utility bills families pay every month; the transportation-fee and sewer proposals are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Human Rights OfficeFund a Human Rights Office ($321,000–$553,000 a year) and more legal aid on top of the sanctuary ordinance?3 of 4 on recordNot found: Luis Garcia

The council declared a local emergency over federal immigration enforcement November 18, 2025 (5–0) and codified the Sanctuary Promise Act as Ordinance 6513 on March 3, 2026 (6–0). On January 20, 2026 staff costed a Human Rights Office at $321,000–$553,000 a year; the council chose to form a community advisory committee first and lists the office as “to be revisited.” The June 23 supplemental budget carried $726,000 for immigration-response programs already approved.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Strongly backed the office
What they did
Strongly supported creating the Human Rights Office at the January 20, 2026 work session, voted for the emergency declaration November 18, 2025, the sanctuary ordinance March 3, 2026 and the June 23 supplemental budget with $726,000 for immigration response.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
ICE out, continue work
Said: What they said
Says “ICE out of Hillsboro” and would continue the work Councilor Sinclair started to protect vulnerable neighbors; the Human Rights Office and its cost are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
Civil rights, sanctuary
Said: What they said
Would defend civil rights and uphold Hillsboro’s sanctuary-city values; the Human Rights Office and legal-aid funding are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.

Housing and displacementAdd local tenant protections and a downtown anti-displacement strategy, or focus on loosening rules to build more?2 of 4 on recordNot found: Luis Garcia, Sarah Marugg

On June 23, 2026 the council updated its code to match new state housing-application laws, 4–1; on July 7 it redesignated 4.54 industrial acres (Synopsys East) for medium-density housing, 4–2. On August 18 staff presented the draft Avenida Diez equitable development strategy for the downtown urban-renewal area, 20 actions including a preference policy for long-time renters and tailored tax exemptions; adoption is pending, and the 398-home SoHi Central subdivision is before the council.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Yes code, no rezone
What they did
Voted yes June 23, 2026 on the state-conformance housing code (4–1) and no July 7 on redesignating 4.54 industrial acres at Synopsys East for housing (4–2); the minutes record no reason, and tenant protections are unsaid.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
Build up downtown
Said: What they said
Says Hillsboro cannot keep building out and should build up its downtown corridor with workforce housing tied to small-business support; tenant protections and the Avenida Diez preference policy are unsaid.
On the topic; the exact choice is unsaid. Our paraphrase.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.

Private-jet hangarsApprove Sky Harbour’s seven private-jet hangars at the airport when it refiles?2 of 4 on recordNot found: Cristian Salgado, Luis Garcia

The Planning Commission approved seven hangars (about 189,000 square feet on 13.7 acres, room for about 30 jets) on May 27, 2026, 5–0 with one abstention. Two appeals brought the case to the council on August 18 with a decision set for October 6, until Sky Harbour withdrew on September 9 saying it needs time to address comments and plans to resubmit; a refiling restarts review before the next council.

Cristian SalgadoAppointed city councilor and small-business owner
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Diana JacksonPublic-defense legal assistant and planning commissioner
Abstained, noise concern
What they did
Abstained on the hangars May 27, 2026 as a planning commissioner, citing uncertainty about one approval criterion and saying 3,800 added flights a year seemed like a lot for nearby residents; how she would vote on a refiling is unsaid.
A recorded action; our summary of the official record.
Luis GarciaHealth-information systems designer
Not found
Nothing on this exact choice in the sources we reviewed; a research gap, not a position.
Sarah MaruggRevenue and tax specialist
No luxury jet hub
Said: What they said
Opposes turning Hillsboro into a luxury private-jet hub at the expense of nearby neighborhoods, clean air, quiet open spaces, wetlands and wildlife.
Our paraphrase of the candidate’s statement.

About this race

How to vote

You vote for one candidate. How it works

Ballots mail Oct 14 · return by 8 p.m. Nov 3

What this office can do

The mayor and council set city policy, adopt the budget and oversee the city manager. One member cannot enact a proposal alone. Schools, transit and county health services involve separate governing bodies.

How this list was made

Same questions for everyone, A–Z. Each chip is our short reading of a sourced statement; we do not endorse, rank or score.

Reviewed September 18, 2026 · lines 2026-09-19.1 · AI-assisted, human review pending

Terms explained

Amendment: A proposed change to a measure before the final vote. Voting for an amendment is not the same as voting for the whole measure.
Supplemental budget: A mid-year change to the city budget after the main budget is adopted.
Appropriation: Permission to spend money on something. It does not mean the money has been spent or the result achieved.
PCEF: The Portland Clean Energy Fund: a tax on large retailers that pays for climate projects. Council has debated using its interest for other services.
Term sheet: Starting terms for a negotiation. Approving one is not a final contract.
Social housing: Housing owned by the public or a nonprofit and rented at controlled prices.
CEI Hub: The fuel-storage area along the Willamette in Northwest Portland, where Zenith Energy operates.
Ranked choice: You rank candidates in order. If your first choice is eliminated or already elected, your vote counts toward your next choice.