03/09/1987 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e Ms. Brody said the staff recommends that the council not approve inclusion of Eugene in the County Special District because the creation of the district would not be consistent with two Metro Plan policies and because additional services can be added to a County Service District. She suggested the City staff work wi th the proponents of the County Speci a 1 Di stri ct to fi nd alternative methods of financing the local extension service. Answering questions from Ms. Wooten and Ms. Ehrman, Ms. Brody said a County Special District could be formed if Eugene is not included but, in that case, the district would not provide very much revenue. Discussing the process of creating a County Service District, Ms. Brody said the Lane County Boundary Commission must consider a petition for a County Special District if enough signatures are gathered. The Boundary Commission's approval of the district is final unless citizens remonstrate and, in that case, an election on the creation of the district is held. If there is no remonstrance, citizens do not vote on the formation of the district. Mr. Gleason added that citizens must vote on a tax base or a serial levy after a County Service District is formed to provide revenue for the district. Mr. Holmer said he would like a history of the funding of extension service programs in the United States. He said it is important for people to know why Lane County funding for the service has decreased. Answering a question from Mr. Miller, Mr. Gleason said the Metro Plan designates the Lane County Board of Commissioners as the general government for Lane County and the Board of Commissioners decides about allocating Lane County funds for the OSU Extension Service. e Replying to a question from Ms. Wooten, Ms. Brody said the Lane County Board of Commissioners would administer the County Special District and decide about adding services if the Lane County Boundary Commission is eliminated. When the staff notes were written, it seemed the commissioners favored elimination of the Boundary Commi ssi on but, subsequently, the comm; ssi oners voted to oppose abolition of the Boundary Commission. Ms. Ehrman opened the public hearing. Robert Harland, 4400 Hilyard, said he was involved in the extension program as a youth. He supported the inclusion of the city in a County Service District and said Lane County cannot support the program sufficiently. He said the program is excellent for young people. Lon Topaz, 37196 Tree Farm, said he represented the Volunteers for Extension. He said the Extension Service has existed in Lane County for 72 years. He said OSU provides basic extension service to all parts of the state. He said a County Special District probably is not the best way to fund the local share of the Extensi on Servi ce but the County Commi ssi oners have decreased or eliminated funds for the service in recent years. In 1980/81, Lane County provided $150,000 for the Extension Service. This year, Lane County only provided $50,000. Three-quarters of the Extension Service funds are provided by the Federal and State governments: He said volunteers have raised funds but they prefer to provide services. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 9, 1987 Page 3