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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY <br /> <br />c <br /> <br />Action: Resolution 4890 Expressing Support for Measure 20-114, a Measure to Change <br />the Charter of Lane County Government <br /> <br />Meeting Date: September 25,2006 <br />Department: Central Services <br />www.eugene-or.gov <br /> <br />Agenda Item Number: 3 <br />Staff Contact: Jim Carlson <br />Contact Telephone Number: 682-5010 <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br />This agenda item asks for City Council support for Lane County's Charter Amendment that goes before <br />the voters in November 2006. Measure 20-114 has its roots in the Public Safety Task Force (PSTF) <br />which met for about seven times near the end of2005. The measure amends the county's Charter and <br />activates a county public safety income tax ordinance. The issue before the council is whether to pass a <br />resolution expressing support for Measure 20-114. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Representatives from the City actively participated in the County's Public Safety Task Force which <br />completed its work in late 2005. The Task Force accomplished a number of tasks: <br />. Analyzed needs, problems, and issues within the public safety system <br />. Established a focus and goals for the system for at least the next five years <br />. Reviewed a list of new, restored, or enhanced programs and services that would help achieve goals <br />. Chose a budget level that would improve the public safety system in Lane County <br />. Made recommendations on the above items to the Board of Commissioners <br /> <br />Analysis <br />Measure 20-114 amends the County Charter and activates a county public safety income tax ordinance. <br />Specifically, the measure: <br /> <br />1. Amends the County Charter to limit the commissioner's existing authority to impose an income tax <br />in the following ways: <br />. Caps the rate of any County income tax at 2% of net income. <br />. Restricts use of a County income tax to funding Public Safety (see definition in ballot title). <br />. Requires Public Safety to be budgeted separately from the rest of County government. <br />. Establishes a reserve to stabilize Public Safety services during economic downturns and <br />unforeseen events. <br />. Requires that any income tax include property tax relief equivalent to $.95 per thousand of <br />assessed value. <br /> <br />If the Charter Amendment passes, the above provisions can be changed only by another vote of the <br />people. <br /> <br />LICMOl2006 Council AgendasIM060925IS0609253.doc <br />