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ATTACHMENT B <br />Community Safety Payroll Tax <br />Frequently Asked Questions <br />1. Why do the City’s community safety services need more funding? <br />The Community Safety System works to keep everyone safe. This system is made up of interdependent <br />City departments and community partners. Each relies on the other in different situations. <br />Struggling to Meet the Need <br />Right now, the Community Safety System is stressed: <br />• In the past 5 years, 911 calls for Eugene Police have increased 21% while police and 911 staffing <br />have remained flat. <br />• From 2014 to 2017, homicide, rape, robbery, assault, sex offenses, and family offenses have <br />increased by 18%. <br />• Police are unable to respond to 1 out of 3 calls due to lack of patrol resources (when there is no <br />immediate threat to life). <br />• It takes officers an average of 20 more minutes to respond to these calls for service. <br />• One courtroom of three is unused due to lack of staff. <br />• The number of youth diagnosed with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety <br />continues to rise. <br />• The number of unsheltered single adults is significantly higher than in similar communities. <br />Bridge Funds Provide Support Through June 2020 <br />In 2018, the City Council dedicated $8.6 million starting January 2019 for 18-months of funding to <br />increase staff and resources. The goal is to stabilize prevention, homeless services, public safety and <br />emergency response. The bridge strategy funding expires on June 30, 2020. <br />Long-term Solution Needed <br />Council also committed to finding a long-term solution to this problem. A Revenue Team of community <br />members and Councilors was established in November 2018. After reviewing funding options, the <br />team recommended a payroll tax to support $23.6 million in community safety services on an annual <br />basis. If Eugene enacted a payroll tax it would provide on-going funding for critical services including <br />police, fire and emergency medical services, municipal court, homeless services, and prevention <br />services. <br />Public Hearing on Community Safety Payroll Tax Set for May 28 <br />At their May 8 Work Session, City Council voted to send the a payroll tax ordinance to public hearing <br />on Tuesday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. in Harris Hall (125 East 8th Ave.).