10/27/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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- with no sales or utility taxes. Also, in California, the proportion of govern- ment funded by property tax is much lower. The lack of an existing surplus in Oregon, combined with no other taxes, would make for a very difficult situation. He introduced Paget Engen, Policy Analyst, to provide background information. Ms. Engen stated that in the councilors' packets, they received calculations of what this measure would cost in revenues. Tonight, during Open House, a one-page flyer was available showing the impact on City services. Ballot Measure 6 would limit choices of services. It is a constitutional amendment and cannot be changed by the Legislature. It covers all classes of property, not just principal residences. Sixty percent of those properties taxed are income- producing properties. This would not replace the six-percent limitation, but is an additional limitation. If passed, it would be effective July 1981. If this measure was in effect in 1980-81, Eugene would have lost about $11 million, 83 percent of the property tax levied. This would be a cut of about 35-40 percent in general operating revenues and 300-500 positions would be cut from existing City staff. Unemployment benefit costs would be substantial. Ballot Measure 6 distinguishes between essential and other services. Police and fire services, deemed to be essential, would be supported at the 1977-78 level, and other services would need to be cut by one third before police and fire services could be cut further. Since 1977-78, the City of Eugene has annexed a good deal of land, the population has grown, and inflation has been a large factor. This would riot allow for a reasonable level of service in comparison with 1977-78. A majority of police services would be emergency services, and e resources for other services such as crime prevention would have to be pulled away to cover situations that were emergencies. A 35-percent cut in the Police Department's Patrol Division would only allow for 6-8 officers in the field two thirds of the time and ten officers during critical times. The police would continue to respond immediately to priority 1 calls, which are those with continued harm to life or property. Priority 2 calls might be delayed for up to 40 minutes. Criminal intelligence would be deleted. The Detective Division would need to cut back services. The Fire Department would be similarly affected. There are eight fire stations now, with a ninth being added, but the City would only be able to operate five of the nine for the amount of money received in 1977-78. They would either close stations or reduce their status to satellite stations and maintain ser- vices to dense and industrial areas. In less densely populated areas, response time could take up to ten minutes instead of the four-minute average response time now. If police and fire services are cut, that would mean a 50-percent cut in all other departments. If the voters pass this, it means they do not want services they are now receiving. She added that it would take approval of two thirds of the voters to pass any additional tax. In regard to other cuts, Ms. Engen stated that although the Public Works Department budget is largely fee supported, such as with building permits, a large portion of their budget is for operating. Installation and maintenance of traffic signals, leaf pickup, sidewalk and street repair, traffic safety programs, e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 27, 1980 Page 2