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Kelly agreed there needed to be improved public safety. He suggested doing it in a way that doesn't require a change in the fundamental structure of government. He thought there could be a serial levy an income or sales tax that wouldn't change the Metro Plan amendment. Bettman asked how the voting would take place. She asked if elected officials had to opt in and if they were included in the vote. Van Vactor responded that if the city council adopts the resolution it is part of the application and the Boundary Commission authorizes the ballot. He added ifa city council does not vote for it, that jurisdiction does not participate in the vote. Bettman commented in the past that when the County had a bond measure the commissioners were not campaigning for it. She thought if they supported their own ballot measure it would pass. She said they need to establish credibility with the voters and work hard. Dwyer explained that the County has grown over 25% with the same amount of revenue that they are trying to manage with. He said they are trying to provide the same current levels of services. He added the County receives $1.27 per thousand including bonding. He stated the Coburg Fire Department receives more per thousand than Lane County. He said they have to still provide public safety, the District Attorney's office, the jail, the Department of Health andAssessment and Taxation. He commented that the system is currently broken and it is not acceptable. He recalled that the Metro Plan was put together with the three major metropolitan areasso they don't have competing districts to compete with what the cities are going to provide. He said they have to consider the mechanism question on whether they should form this district. Green commented that.a sales tax would never pass in Oregon. He noted Lane County's public service budget is around $38 million just for public safety. He added the discretionary general fund is $50 million and 75% goes to public safety. He said they would be willing to give the services back to the cities to see how well they could do. He said the challenge is whether or not they could afford to do it. He said they are trying to get to a solution. Bettman said if the County starts to impact their budget, she wondered if Lane County looked at the priorities and if they are providing just the services that are mandated. She commented that she sees Lane County spending money that is frivolous. She asked if the County was still mandated by statute to provide public safety services. Van Vactor responded that crimes will be committed and to the extent they have the resources they will prosecute and incarcerate them. Page 5 - Joint Elected Officials Meeting - April 19, 2005 WD bc/m/05035/T