09/23/1985 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Dehn said the CIP includes ongoing costs. If they are funded by the e income tax, citizens will not be able to examine the City's expenses well. In addition, the library expansion will increase the operating costs of the City. If the purpose of the income tax is to fund specific projects, there should be a "sunset" provision. He said funds will be found for critical projects if the income tax is not approved. He said "capital improvements" should be defined in the ordinance. Several people who neither favored nor opposed the tax spoke. Bill Kittredge, 1459 B Street, Springfield, said he pays for the library in Sprlngfield. He uses the airport often. His tax accountant said a city income tax will place the largest burden on citizens with middle-sized incomes although business people use the airport most often. Mr. Kittredge said user fees or a regional authority for the airport would be appropriate. He urged the council to consider the alternatives suggested during the evening. Bob Fauvre, 2979 Maranta, asked if the City can issue revenue bonds to be retired by an income tax. He wondered if an income tax could fund the pro- posed projects. Mr. Fauvre said a councilor was quoted as saying the coun- cilors want to decide what projects will be accomplished. Peter DeFazio, 739 South 4th, Springfield, distributed two pages titled "Examples of Comparative Burden with Proposed Commuter Tax. II He i s a La ne County Commissioner. Mr. DeFazio reviewed the comparison between a city income tax and a county-wide bond election. He said the airport expansion - should be financed by users. He suggested Senators Packwood and Hatfield be asked to work on approval of an airport departure tax. He said the financial burden of the airport expansion could also be spread more evenly by the creation of an airport port district. Mr. DeFazio said he supported a regional library. He hopes the cooperation evidenced by the Chambers Connector will continue. Robert Ruunslee, 476 East Broadway, said the voters will not approve a city income tax. He said many people who earn wages in the city live outside the city, and, if the income tax is approved, they will have to pay it. He said the downtown mall is being torn down for commercialism, the councilors do not listen to their constituents, the councilors should learn to budget, the city is still in a recession, unemployment ;s high, and the income tax will not create jobs. Mr. Ruunslee said city employees are on a form of welfare. Thomas G. Stedman, 1510 Villard, asked about cost overruns or allowances to avold delays on the projects, how the projects will be maintained, if the income tax could be referred to the voters again when the airport and library expansions are paid, and if plans for the airport and the library could be made public. He has worked in the library. There being no more requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. He said some councilors had indicated they wanted an opportunity to think about the testimony. Therefore, the council will not take action on the proposal until September 25, 1985. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council September 23, 1985 Page 6