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? <br /> Make effective use of consultant resources (e.g., Barry Pack, Steve Johnson, Gary Manross) in <br />developing plans and implementing strategies <br /> <br />Communication Constraints (Specific to Bond Measure): <br />? <br /> As with any tax measure, the complexity of the issue and the need to couch language in terms that satisfy <br />legal requirements don’t always allow for easy-to-understand explanations. <br />? <br /> Placing the bond measure in the context of a larger package, some elements of which haven’t yet been <br />fully worked out, is a significant communications challenge. <br />? <br /> Voters will need to understand why the measure doesn’t focus solely on the worst streets (i.e., why <br />preserving streets from further deterioration is a good investment). Including a number of reconstruction <br />projects in the bond measure will help voters see obvious benefit. <br />? <br /> Voters have trouble distinguishing between improved and unimproved streets. If unimproved streets are <br />not included in the bond measure, the message needs to be clear why they’re not and what strategies the <br />City has to address those streets. <br />? <br /> The “list” of repair projects to be funded by the bond measure is a subset of a larger list of projects to be <br />funded from multiple sources of road repair funding, including current existing sources of revenue. Voters <br />may be confused if they don’t see beneficial projects that aren’t on the bond list because they are <br />scheduled to receive some other type of funding. <br />? <br /> As with all election issues, City staff must avoid advocacy and provide only neutral information. To the <br />extent that it’s important to communicate benefits, the council and any citizen groups that come forward <br />must carry those messages. <br /> <br />Key Messages <br /> <br />Bond Measure for Street Repairs <br />? <br /> Voters in November will be asked to approve an $81 million levy dedicated to local street repairs <br />? <br /> The levy is estimated to cost the average homeowner $107 per year <br />? <br /> A list of high-priority projects has been developed to indicate exactly which streets would be repaired <br />with bond funds <br />? <br /> The project list will include overlay and slurry seal projects (to preserve streets from further deterioration) <br />and reconstruction projects (to fix streets that have fallen apart and need to be rebuilt) <br />? <br /> Accountability will be provided, bond expenditures will be monitored and periodic reports will be issued <br />to the council and the community. <br /> <br />Overall Package of Transportation Funding Solutions <br />? <br /> Eugene is faced with a $173 million backlog of street repair projects. The backlog could reach $280 <br />million over the next decade if more funds are not invested in l needed street repairs. <br />? <br /> To bring the backlog under control, at least $18 million per year needs to be invested in needed street <br />repairs. Currently Eugene is investing about $5 million a year in major street repairs. <br />? <br /> To truly address the need, a package of revenue solutions is needed. <br />? <br /> Package elements could include some combination of a general obligation bond measure, local fuel tax, <br />monthly street repair fee, street lighting fee, garbage fee surcharge, countywide vehicle registration fee <br />and/or countywide fuel tax, and/or reallocation of existing general fund revenue. <br />? <br /> Any package, in total, needs to provide achievable, balanced and sustainable solutions to adequately fund <br />Eugene’s transportation system for cars, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians <br />? <br /> A good package element is one that collects funds proportionately (or equally) from residents and non- <br />residents who use our roads, is consistent with our sustainability goals, has direct connection to the use of <br />the roads, and give incentives to those who do not have a car or use one very little. <br />? <br /> Since 2002 (including the 2008 construction season), the City has invested $18.6 million in street <br />preservation projects. Since 2002 (including the 2008 construction season), the City has repaired 153 lane <br />miles of streets through overlay, reconstruction and slurry seal treatments. <br /> <br />Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080716\S080716A.doc <br />