06/15/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Commissioner Lieuallen discussed the drastic reductions in County services that . would occur if these levies are not successful and noted that under these circumstances it would be difficult for the County even to meet State-mandated requirements. He said he had come before the council both to make the plight of the County known and to let the City know how it would be affected. Mr. Bain discussed the reductions that had occurred in the Assessor's Office. He said that in 1979, 190 people had worked in the office and that next year the total number of employees in the office would be 30 to 40 people. He noted that 94 percent of the assessment and taxation responsibilites of his office were non-County and were done for the 90 taxing districts that his office serves. Responding to a question from Councilor Schue, Mr. Bain said that staff was insufficient even to process tax receipts and that this resulted in major delays in deposit and distribution of property taxes. Sheriff Burks said that both management and line personnel had been cut in his office and that there would be further cuts in patrol and investigative services. He said that transportation of jail inmates to the court was a major responsibility of his office and that while 22 employees had been used in the past to perform this service, only five would be available in the future. District Attorney Horton said that the City of Eugene was his office's major client. He said that if the levies fail his staff of 35 attorneys would be reduced to 9 to 15 attorneys in the coming year, which would be inadequate to serve 15 judges, two justices of the peace, and grand juries, and to provide services such as collecting for non-support, work with the Juvenile Department, and provision of legal advice to local police, including City of Eugene police. e Commissioner Lieuallen thanked the Mayor and council for allowing County representatives to address the council. Mayor Keller thanked those who had made presentations. Mr. Gleason said that City staff would keep the council informed as to the impacts of the County budget situation for the City of Eugene. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Housing Code Repeal and Related Amendments (memo, ordinance distributed) Mr. Gleason introduced Tim Sercombe, City Attorney's Office. Mr. Sercombe said that the amendments before the council would repeal the Housing Code, as had been discussed by the Budget Committee in preparation of the FY84 budget; would make some changes to enhance enforcement of current code provisions dealing with abatement of unsafe buildings; and would retain the weatherization ordinance. Mr. Sercombe noted that these changes had been discussed by the Joint Housing Committee and that the JHC's recommendations would be presented by Chairperson John Van Landingham. Public hearing was opened. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council June 15, 1983 Page 3