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<br /> <br />ECC <br />UGENE ITY OUNCIL <br />AIS <br />GENDA TEM UMMARY <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Work Session: Strategies for Long-Term Financial Stability for Transportation System <br />Operations, Maintenance, and Preservation <br /> <br />Meeting Date: February 27, 2006 Agenda Item: B <br />Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Kurt Corey <br />www.ci.eugene.or.us Contact Telephone Number: 682-5241 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ISSUE STATEMENT <br /> <br />This work session provides an opportunity for continued City Council discussion of potential revenue <br />strategies to address not only the projected ongoing operating deficit in street operations and maintenance <br />(O&M) but to also generate additional revenue to be dedicated to the backlog of unfunded projects in the <br />Pavement Preservation Program. <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />In September 2001, the Citizen Budget Subcommittee on Transportation System Funding presented its <br />Final Recommendation on Transportation Funding Issues which contained among its conclusions the <br />assertion that “In the face of projected O&M shortfalls and service reductions beginning in FY03, <br />ensuring adequate funding for the operation and maintenance activities of the City’s transportation system <br />is absolutely essential.” At that time, the Citizen Budget Subcommittee also presented its <br />recommendation that the council implement a transportation funding package consisting of a combination <br />local motor vehicle fuel tax and transportation system maintenance fee for the purpose of generating an <br />additional $9 million annually to address the City’s critical transportation system funding needs, which <br />included $8.5 million for the backlog of road preservation work plus an additional $425,000 for off-street <br />bike paths. <br /> <br />On December 9, 2002, the council approved an ordinance establishing a transportation system <br />maintenance fee (TSMF). On January 27, 2003, a related transportation revenue measure, the local motor <br />vehicle fuel tax (“fuel tax”), was approved by the council. On September 8, 2003, the council voted to <br />repeal the TSMF ordinance, citing the recent repeal by Springfield City Council of that city’s TSMF and <br />concerns about equity between the two cities, as well as concerns raised by the Eugene Chamber of <br />Commerce about the structure and impact of the TSMF on Eugene businesses. At that time, the council <br />also cited continued hope for collaborative solutions with partner agencies and with Lane County, in <br />particular. <br /> <br />On January 24, 2005, the council approved a two-cent increase to the City’s local motor vehicle fuel tax, <br />which has allowed the City to continue to make progress on the backlog of pavement preservation <br />projects in Eugene. This tax increase was approved with a sunset date of February 29, 2008, at which <br />time the tax is scheduled to revert to $.03 per gallon. <br /> <br /> <br />L:\CMO\2006 Council Agendas\M060227\S060227B.doc <br /> <br />