05/20/1985 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e loss, and the unfunded part of the CIP. The property tax would continue to generate a general fund. The only part of the general fund included in the report was the forecasted deficit. Mr. Gleason reported that Eugene has the lowest per capita operating cost of all the major cities on the west coast. The property tax in Eugene is high because the City has relied almost exclusively on the property tax. Mr. Rutan said the capital financing analysis was excellent. He would like to see a comparison of the proposed Eugene taxes to taxes in Portland, a few other Oregon cities, and a few midwestern cities. Mr. Miller wondered what the effect of the proposed Eugene taxes would be on business activity. Mr. Gleason replied that expansion of the airport is con- sidered essential by almost everyone. The development of the Riverfront Sci- ence Park by the City and the University of Oregon is a very logical strategy. Several councilors asked the staff to format the information in a different way for future consideration. Ms. Wooten wanted all the information for each project on one page and a page for each project. Mayor Obie suggested the data for all the Eugene Agenda projects be presented together and that the data for the library, the swimming pool, the Federal Revenue Sharing Funds, and the unfunded part of the CIP then be added to the Agenda projects one by one. Mr. Hansen asked the staff to present background information on tax increment districts that indicates when the tax increment financing will end in the Riverfront Science Park. He wondered when the area will be taxed and suppor- ted just like the rest of the city. Mr. Miller asked for the estimated revenue from an income tax that would be a percentage of the State or Federal income tax. In that case, protection for low-income people is built in. He also wanted an estimate of revenues from a surcharge on Oregon State income tax. Mr. Holmer noted that the Capital Financing Report indicated that 80 percent of the capital cost requirements would be spent in the first five years. He suggested that some of the projects be started later. Noting that it was sug- gested the projects be funded by an income tax, he said he preferred using income tax funds for operating expenses. Ms. Bascom said an income tax might conflict with the land use plans. Answering questions from councilors, Mr. Wong discussed estimated growth in the income tax and the property tax. Mr. Whitlow said the City.s dependency on the property tax could be reduced if another source of revenue is found. II. SUGGESTED PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM Ms. Bellamy discussed a public information program designed to generate com- munication between the public and the councilors so that the councilors will MINUTES--Eugene City Council Work Session May 20, 1985 Page 4