PORTLAND – The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners approved changes to the county’s organizational structure to streamline operations and reduce costs. The board aligned management of county assets, which includes fleet vehicles and facilities, with information technology in the new Department of County Assets. The restructuring eliminated three management positions. The changes are effective July 1.

The board appointed Sherry Swackhamer (pictured), currently the chief information officer, as the new director of the Department of County Assets. Her duties will include information technology, county buildings and properties, fleet, distribution, and records, according to a statement by the county. Swackhamer will retain her duties as CIO. Swackhamer joined the county in 2003, after 20 years in the accounting, internal auditing and information technology fields.

Other changes in the county include appointing Joanne Fuller, currently the interim chief operating officer, as the director of the Department of County Management. She will be responsible for tax collection, budget, finance, personnel, purchasing, and other operational areas. Fuller will retain the COO position, the county stated. Mindy Harris, who has served as interim Department of County Management director since 2009, will retain her position as Chief Financial Officer.

“Today’s appointments begin our process of trimming management positions to address our current and long-term budget constraints,” said County Chair Jeff Cogen. “We’re taking concrete steps to reduce administrative costs so that we can prioritize spending on critical direct services in the community.”