CITY COUNCILOR
ANTHONY MARTIN
Anthony was elected city councilor in 2016 and has worked hard for Hillsboro in the past four years. He has read thousands of pages of council packets, participated in countless community meetings, and met with many community members. He is passionate about public service, as he sees it the best way to help his community.
He serves as chair of the Hillsboro Transportation Committee, a member of the Hillsboro Sustainability Task Force, a member of the Hillsboro Budget Committee, and alternate for the regional Metro Policy Advisory Committee.
Anthony advocates for Hillsboro at the state and federal levels as well. He has been on policy committees for the League of Oregon Cities and gone to DC to lobby our federal representatives and learn from cities across the country.
Anthony’s goal is for Hillsboro’s government to work for its people, make positive change, and be financially sustainable for the long term. He has passed numerous policies that benefit the residents of Hillsboro, like composting and broadband internet. He is also a strong advocate for community involvement, as the best policies are made when everybody has a seat at the table.
NOTABLE POLICY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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Created a gigabit fiber broadband utility, HiLight, for residential and commercial customers with a low-income program providing the same service for $10 per month.
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Passed citywide residential composting.
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Passed ordinance declaring Hillsboro a sanctuary city.
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Switched city electricity energy source to 100% renewable resources.
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Passed a comprehensive plan which placed a commitment on long term asset management and sustainability.
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Created the Prosperidad Economic Empowerment center providing job training and educational services to economically vulnerable residents in the community.
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Created the Cocinemos program to provide business training for food entrepreneurs.
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Funded the initial construction of the Willamette Water Supply Project, a $1.3 billion project that provides a redundant and resilient water supply for the city.
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Provided gap financing for a Willow Creek Crossing, a 120-unit affordable housing complex.
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During the COVID-19 crisis, provided $1.5 million in support for businesses and residents, $1.25 million of which were grants.
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During the COVID-19 crisis, adopted a residential and commercial eviction moratorium.
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Transitioned city streetlights to LED lighting reducing light pollution and saving approximately $800,000 per year in energy costs.
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Adopted a property tax exemption for nonprofit affordable housing in the city.
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Created a cultural arts district to promote downtown revitalization through the arts.
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Adopted a sustainable shopping initiative banning plastic bags which became a model for the statewide ordinance.
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Supported the Portland Community College (PCC) Future Connect program, providing annual funding for 125 first-generation college students, and created a new program with PCC focused on Career and Technical Education modeled on the Future Connect Program.
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Passed ordinances to become a Tree City USA and Bee City USA.
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Increased public comment time at council meetings.
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Funded the Hidden Creek Community Center, set to open this fall.
ABOUT ANTHONY—The Candidate
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Anthony went to Banks High School and graduated as student body president and valedictorian.
He then attended University of Oregon and received his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Spanish. During that time he was the president of his residence hall and a member of the Climate Justice League. He worked on the Take Back the Tap campaign to reduce the consumption of bottled water and prioritize tap water.
After graduating, Anthony traveled to Texas to earn his Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. During his time in Texas, Anthony worked for the Texas Department of Transportation analyzing road funding sources (using Oregon's vehicle weight mile tax as a model). He then worked for the City of Austin Auditor's Office conducting performance audits on government programs and helping investigate fraud throughout the city.
After moving back to Oregon, Anthony spent almost five years as a financial and economic consultant for cities and utilities across the Pacific Northwest. He has conducted economic studies, utility formations, utility rate studies, and financing strategies. During his time, he helped ensure that cities put themselves in a fiscally responsible position to provide infrastructure while still allowing growth.
Anthony currently works as a financial analyst for the City of Portland, focusing the city’s budget, rates, and fees. He strives to make government more efficient and transparent.
Anthony believes that good governance comes when people come together and share ideas. At the local level, he meets with any resident or group who requests a meeting. He also attends state and national conferences to learn how other cities are tackling their biggest challenges so he can bring that knowledge to Hillsboro. He is a member of Emerging Local Government Leaders and the League of Oregon Cities.
Anthony is an Oregonian through and through. He was born in Portland as an only child to a single mom in a low-income household. At twelve, he and his mother moved out to Banks and started a goat farm. From twelve onward, he also worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska during the summers to pay his way through college. Both farming and fishing showed Anthony the true value of hard work and the unique balance people must find with environmental preservation.
In high school, Anthony saw the need to make change and help those around him. He went to college and studied how government works while focusing on issues like sustainability, transportation, and finance.
Anthony believes that government, especially local government, is a great way to make a positive impact in the community. As an elected official, consultant, or city employee, Anthony works to improve government and make it work better for the people. His vision of government is one that is transparent, inclusive, and sustainable (financially, economically, and environmentally).
Anthony lives in a house in the Turner Creek area with his amazing wife, Amanda, and young daughter, Juniper. They have one cat and two dogs, Ted, Bella, and Jo Button. In his free time, he likes playing the ukulele and playing video games.
ABOUT ANTHONY—The Person
