04/12/1982 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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--..;.. '. ,. . e . The Local Elected Officials Task Force met four times. Mr. Long reviewed the distributed material. He read the recital acknowledging that a service inequity problem exists when the County uses a property tax levy and that such issues will be worked out with the cities and the County. The elected officials hope to come to an agreement in several areas over the next year or two, including road assessment policies in unincorporated areas, health and human services, parks services, and taxing decisions. If timber receipts return to former levels and the County funding situation reverses, the cities and County would work on "rainy day projects" and regional projects, and would not return to the spending practices of the past. Mr. Long reviewed the specific areas of possible agreements: jail, regional criminal justice data system, joint social services, animal regulation, and library services. Mr. Long reviewed the proposed area of agreement concerning roads as outlined in the memorandum. Under the agreement the cities are urged to support and provide leadership to the County's tax base proposal. Mr. Long said there was a projected $2,097,000 benefit to the City of Eugene if the agreement is completed. It is contingent on the County budget passing. If the budget does not pass, they have a commitment to work together regardless. Mr. Long said that failure of the County budget levy to pass will have a very serious implications for the cities. Many intergovernmental services will not be supported. Law enforcement and judicial services will continue, but in the areas of social services, animal control, and L-COG, the County will have to pullout a great deal of support. Ms. Smith asked how the coordination of the City budget and County election will work. Mr. Long replied that the City budget was put together without consideration of this County election and agreement. If the County budget does pass and the agreement is put into effect, the City will have a two- to three-percent area of play in the operating budget. If the County budget fails, there will be a week or ten days to decide if the City should put a measure on the June ballot. In response to a question, Mr. Long to be decided by the City Council. actively and encouraging the Eugene forth. said the definition of "active support" is It could mean passing a resolution, working Action Forum to work for passage, and so Ms. Miller, who had attended the intergovernmental meetings, explained that if the ballot issue passes, it will result in an assessment on the property tax. It will be hitting the same people. Therefore, it is essential that the double taxation issues are resolved and more efficiency is obtained in government serv ices. Mr. Obie suggested the council resolution explaining the issue and the present interdependency be drafted. Ms. Smith suggested the Eugene Action Forum be contacted. Mr. Lindberg questioned the incentives for the smaller cities in the county to join Eugene in working to pass the measure. He suggested the councilors work actively for support. MINUTES--Eugene City Council Dinner Meeting April 12, 1982 Page 3