For the better part of six minutes, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Nick Fish went at it - arguing, talking over one another and casting long-lasting stare-downs unlike any in recent memory.

It's budget season in City Hall, and built-up bad blood between Hales and Fish spilled into full public view Thursday night.

The dispute is tied to Hales' final budget as mayor. Last week, despite record revenues, Hales proposed a tax increase on businesses so he could cram an additional $8.7 million worth of spending into his budget.

But Hales lacked the votes to get it approved. So, on Wednesday, Hales distributed a sky-is-falling statement warning of various programs - mostly proposed homeless and police stuff - that might not get funded because of the City Council.

On Thursday night, during a 4-hour budget hearing, Fish called out Hales. Fish said Hales' staff knew for at least 24 hours that the City Council was no longer considering axing $690,000 for "campsite services," but accused Hales of sounding alarm bells anyway.

"Everything in this budget is at risk until it's approved," Hales argued.

"You know that's not true, mayor," Fish responded.

"Of course it's true," Hales said, his voice rising.

Commissioner Steve Novick chimed in to say that all members of council have committed to maintaining historic investments in housing. Fish said the mayor's office knew that money to help the homeless would be spared, and to suggest otherwise was a "bad faith representation."

Then Hales and Fish stared at each other for one ... two ... three long seconds.

It only got worse from there.

When another person offered testimony, Fish jumped back in to blast Hales' tactics.

"The fact that this may have needlessly caused alarm to vulnerable people is disgraceful," Fish said.

Then Fish and Hales talked over one another, until the mayor got this out: "Is every program in this room funded? I wasn't aware."

"Your office affirmatively made misrepresentations to the public, Charlie. And shame on you for doing that!" Fish said, in comments first reported by the Portland Mercury.

"My office has informed people in the community, this is politics, I have proposed a budget," Hales began responding, before being cut off.

"This is not politics," Fish interrupted. "This is vulnerable people in our community that you're playing politics with, and I think it's disgraceful."

Fish and Hales have long shared a well-known mutual aversion, dating back to when Hales stuck Fish with two unpopular city bureaus back in 2013, if not even before.

There have been numerous behind-the-scene issues in the years since - including public policy disagreements - but typically they don't devolve into fights broadcast for all to see.

Fish, for instance, didn't support Hales' proposed tax increase. But, ever the diplomat, he went to great lengths this week to praise Hales' budgetary leadership in his first three years -- something that Commissioners Steve Novick and Dan Saltzman didn't do when they poured gasoline on Hales' proposal.

But by Thursday, those niceties were long gone.

Hales, still frustrated with Fish's tear, said it was his turn to get a word in. Fish, wanting to hear from the public, shook his head in annoyance.

"Everything is at risk until proven otherwise," Hales said. "It's math. Let's move on."

-- Brad Schmidt

503-294-7628

@cityhallwatch