Budget Gap: Plan of Action
The City of Eugene has continued to experience the distressing effects of the steep economic decline that began in 2008. Because of the depressed economy:
- The City received significantly less income from property taxes than anticipated; and
- City officials expect lower growth rates in future property taxes.
As a result, revenues have not kept up with expenses, and the City of Eugene is anticipating an additional $6 million budget gap over the next few years. Over the past four years, the City has driven down costs to balance the budget, live within its means, and not raise taxes. The City has already:
- Cut $24 million from the General Fund budget (about 20%) over the past four years;
- Eliminated more than 100 full-time positions; and
- Maintained reasonable reserves to address unexpected impacts.
Closing the budget gap entirely by cutting expenses will significantly impact community services currently provided to Eugene residents.
City Service Fee
On February 13, 2013, the City Council passed
a resolution placing a measure on the May 21 ballot to ask voters to consider a City Service Fee. The measure is titled "
Ballot Measure 20-211: Monthly fee for City fire, police, homelessness and other services."
Additional Information